Our instructors Severnvale’s instructors are friendly and have a wide range of qualifications and expertise; as well as many years of practice of getting the best out of nervous adults and young children. Their main priority is your enjoyment and safety, as well as making sure that your riding ambitions are realised. They have a wide range of qualifications, expertise and experience, including eventing at national and international levels, work with competition horses, knowledge of ‘Intelligent Horsemanship’, and a sympathetic understanding of the needs of the rider and their expectations.

Find out more • Our instructors • About the lessons • Getting started • Types of lessons • What’s the cost? • Adult riding groups • Children’s lessons • Booking Lessons • Riding for the Disabled • Gift Vouchers

Contact:

Severnvale Equestrian Centre, Tidenham, Chepstow Monmouthshire NP16 7LL

Riding for the Disabled The Forest Riding for the Disable Group hold weekly term-time sessions at Severnvale; where they provide riding lessons to all local disabled children and adults who might benefit from being on a horse or pony. These are held weekly on Thursdays during school term time, between 1.45 pm to 4 pm, with rides lasting about 30 minutes. The Group tries to fit individuals into groups with people of similar skills and age; however, due to the numbers on the waiting list, this is not always possible. When a place is allocated, the rider is expected to attend every week, unless they are booked off; or unless illness or other special circumstances prevail. To book a riding session, to volunteer to help the Group, or just to find out more about the Forest RDA Group, go to the Group’s website or contact: Carole Reader @ Carole.reader@hotmail.co.uk - or on 01594 516328 The Forest RDA Group are members of the National Riding for the Disabled Association, at Stoneleigh; and work under their guidance. All the Group’s volunteers are trained to a high standard and the Group is assessed each year by the National RDA body. Gift Vouchers Surprise someone special with a Gift Voucher Does your gift shopping list include a horse lover? Do you feel lost in a tack shop? Here's an easier solution for your gift-giving question. We've created SVEC Gift and Riding Experience Vouchers, so if you'd like to treat a friend, child, brother or sister, or a loved one with a passion for horse-riding, then this is a great gift. • Gift Vouchers - are available in any denomination, and are valid for 12 months so can be used towards riding lessons, or other activities at Severnvale Equestrian Centre; just choose the amount that suits you. • Riding Experience Voucher - is also valid for 12 months, entitles the bearer to three hours of riding time; which can include Dressage tuition, an Introduction to Jumping, Lunging, Horse Care, or Hacking around, but this may be subject to weather and safety checks. Any of these is a perfect present for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and other special occasions; such as Father's and Mother's Day, Easter, and Valentine's Day. SVEC Gift and Riding Experience Vouchers can either be paid for and collected at the yard office; or can be ordered by post by sending a cheque and details of the type and value of voucher, which will then be posted to an address of the givers choice.

If you are looking for a pastime that will keep you fit in the great outdoors - horse riding is for you It's a rewarding and exciting sport that anyone, regardless of age, ability or background can have a go at, as no experience is necessary. Furthermore, it’s easy to learn to ride at Severnvale, as the Centre provides lessons for someone who has never ridden before, to those that want to just ‘brush-up’, or to improve their riding skills. Furthermore, you don't worry about the weather or mud, as you can enjoy riding lessons that are relevant to your needs in the Centre’s indoor and outdoor arenas.

About the lessons Lessons are normally held in either the indoor or outdoor arena; and are one, or half an hour, in length; using carefully selected ponies and horses of differing abilities and sizes, so they are suitable for everyone, from total beginners to the more experienced rider. Riding hats are provided for those who don't have their own. Getting started Persons who are new, or relatively new to riding, and wishing to book their first lesson at Severnvale, should preferably call into the office and talk with one of the instructors so that this can be done. This is because Severnvale prefers to assess the riding abilities of new clients so that the lessons can be tailored to suit their individual needs. It also provides an opportunity to discuss what to wear. Severnvale’s leaflet “Horse Riding - getting started” contains all the information that you need to know before starting your riding adventure, including advice on what to wear - it can be downloaded from here - it’s best printed out in a booklet format - or it can be viewed online here. If it is not possible to call into the office in person, then book a lesson by telephoning the Centre - Contact details Where required, lessons can be given on the owner’s horse. New to Severnvale? If you already ride, but are new to Severnvale, its best to call into the office and talk with one of our instructors before booking your first lesson, so that we are aware of your riding capabilities. If it is not possible to call into the office in person, then please telephone us - Contact details This assessment might be just a conversation, or it may involve a private riding session so that we can ensure your enjoyment and safety while with us, as well as making sure that you fulfil your riding ambitions. Types of lessons Lessons can be ‘Private’, which means that individual one-to-one tuition is given, or ‘Semi-Private’, in which case, two people share a lesson. Alternatively, ‘Group’ lessons are available, in which three or more people take part, these groups are however, usually kept quite small. There is a special ‘Lead Rein Group’ for very young riders. What’s the cost? The cost of each lesson depends on the qualification and skills of the instructor chosen, the type of lesson, and of course whether it is one or half an hour in length. Lessons taken at the weekend are more expensive than those taken during the week. However, they can be paid for individually, or booked in blocks, at a discounted price. A Price List showing the cost of the range and period of the lessons that are given by the different instructors is available from the Centre. Additionally, the cost of the various riding activities offered by the Centre is given when booking through this website. Adult riding groups  These sessions are a great way to make friends and to learn new skills while enjoying yourself. They are ideal for the leisure rider, and provide a practical and fun way of learning and increasing both stable management and riding skills. These group sessions take place each weekday evening, as well as on Saturday and Sunday. Children’s lessons Severnvale’s Clubs provide a great way to learn to look after and ride a pony. These group sessions provide 1½ hours of fully supervised instruction, including riding, grooming, care of tack, and mounted games; as well as Pony Club approved tests. Booking lessons Severnvale shares your passion for horses; so it has made it easy to book riding lessons and other events, including special activities for children. All you need to do is use one of these links - or go to the ‘Bookings & events’ page and select the activity you want to book from the appropriate schedule, then ‘click’ directly on to it. This will then open up to show you all the details that you need to know, and provide the ability to book the item; as well as pay for it if you wish; or you can arrange to pay for the activity when you turn up at the Centre. Please book no later than the day before you wish to ride, as the day’s riding schedules are prepared on the morning of the ride. Nevertheless, these arrangements are flexible; so you can contact the Centre directly if you would like to book specific sessions with a particular instructor; which can be done by telephone, email or messaging the Centre via social media. However, persons who are new, or relatively new to riding, who wish to book their first lesson should preferably call into the office, and talk with one of the instructors to arrange this. To ensure everyone's safety when you are at the Centre, you must comply with the obligations set out in the "Help to keep Severnvale safe" section of this website.