Course Overview
Enhance Your Riding is designed for riders that wish to further develop their riding ability.

Our riding courses are delivered at our BHS Highly Commended Equestrian Centre, where you will have the consistency of a BHS Accredited Professional Coach for the duration of your riding course.

You will ride in our excellent facilities and have the opportunity to ride a range of Merrist Wood school masters’ that you will be suitability matched with for each lesson to ensure that you develop your riding and progress with your riding. Our horse welfare is paramount; therefore, riders will only be mounted on horses that suit their experience, weight, and height (please note these factors may narrow your selection).

We offer two levels of Enhance Your Riding depending on your previous experience, confidence, and ability. This course is for Intermediate riders that are accomplished rider at walk, trot and canter and be able to maintain a balanced position over a fence.

What do I learn
You will develop knowledge on the theory of riding on the flat and over fences, alongside the practical applications of riding and training horses. Lessons will alternate between flatwork and pole/jumping each week.

What do I gain
There will be no formal qualification although you will receive verbal feedback during and at the end of each lesson and will be set targets for improvement.

If you have the aspiration, developing your riding skills could support you in the completion of BHS Professional Qualifications, Recreational Awards, or Progressive Riding Tests. However, if this is your desire we would recommended undertaking some bespoke training for these qualification ahead of assessments.

What do I need
You will be required to supply your own:
Correctly fitted and up to current safety standard riding hat with a tight chin strap (EN1384 1996 / BSEN 1384 1997 with CE mark)
Correctly fitted and up to current safety standard body protector for jumping (BETA Level 3 2018)
Specific riding footwear, not wellingtons or country boots
Riding gloves
Hair net

What can I progress to
On completion of the course, should you wish to continue to develop your riding ability you can enrol onto another Enhance Your Riding course.

Additionally, you can undertake further equine related recreational activities, courses, camps, and training here at Merrist Wood Arena. View our website for more information - https://www.merristwoodarena.co.uk/ .

What else do I need to know
Students must be at least 14 years of age. In order to ensure the welfare of our horses, we operate a personal weight restriction of no more than 14 stone. All riders will be weighed prior to the start of the course.

For direct enrolment for the Enhance Your Riding Intermediate course, you must have been a candidate of the Novice Enhance Your Riding in which the coach has given approval to progress or you will need to complete a riding assessment to determine you are at this level. Ride assessments are £30, duration 30 mins 10-minute discussion and 20 minutes ride walk, trot, canter, light seat and with stirrups. Once booked, we will call you to arrange a suitable time.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your riding ability to ensure the course is right for you or are enrolling at the correct level, please call the Merrist Wood Arena on 07815 522771.

Bookings in advance only. You can book using our Secure Online Entry System.
Payment is secure and it goes directly to Merrist Wood.
You will receive an email confirmation of your booking and payment.

Price £210 per person

If you wish to complete your BHS Stage 2 Riding, the training is embedded in the Intermediate Enhance your Riding course. When the coach has assessed you at this level, the coach will complete your Trainer Endorsement within your Skills Record which is required to complete the BHS Assessment. Please note depending on your riding start point, you may not be at the assessment standard from one course and may need to undertake the 6-week course more than once

Bookings are non-refundable due to charges made by clinicians, unless you can provide a vet/doctor’s certificate or the slot is filled by another rider. Cancellations with less than 48hrs notice will not be refunded. All refunds incur a £1.50 admin charge

1. By completing an entry, whether online or in writing, you agree to the following terms and conditions. All entries or bookings must be accompanied with the appropriate entry fees.
2. Any withdrawals must be made before the close of entries. Any competitor withdrawing after the closing date will not be subject to a refund unless accompanied by a valid Vet or Doctor’s certificate. all refunds incur a £1.50 admin fee.
3. All Dressage competitions shall run under British Dressage rules, unless stated otherwise, and all Show Jumping shall run under BS rules, unless stated otherwise.
4. The organisers reserve the right to refuse any entry without reason, to cancel or alter any class, section or competition as they see fit without giving reason. Classes may be split if entries warrant.
5. The judge’s and organisers decision is final. Any objections must be lodged with the Secretary within 15 minutes of the incident and supported by a £10 deposit, which will be returned if the objection is upheld.
6. Merrist Wood College, the organisers, their representatives or helpers do not accept liability for injury, damage or loss suffered by spectators, competitors, their horses, grooms, friends, vehicles or property, however caused, and under any circumstances, except proven negligence of the organisers. Claims for negligence against the organisers must be submitted in writing on the day of competition.
7. All competitors must compete in the declared order. If a competitor does not present themselves to the steward when called they will be deemed withdrawn.
8. Practice jumps must be jumped in the correct direction, white flag to the rider’s left hand side and red flag to the rider’s right hand side.
9. Correct riding attire must be worn by all competitors unless stated otherwise. Current BSI standard hard hats must be worn and properly secured at all times whilst mounted. Body protectors are also advised when jumping and are compulsory for all outdoor Cross Country events.
10. The welfare and health of all horses attending any show at Merrist Wood College is paramount. Any horse deemed to be sick or injured in anyway will be immediately eliminated and the owner shall be asked to remove the horse from the premises. All horses must be 4 years old or over and eligible to compete, with exception of young stock showing classes.
11. If the organisers cancel an event, an administration fee of £1.80 will be retained on all online entries. It is the competitors responsibility to contact the show secretary on 01483 884147 or 07767 330318 to confirm if the event has been cancelled.
12. Lunging is not permitted in any of the arenas at any time.
13. Entries in some cases will be limited, and if after the closing date entries are over-subscribed, a random ballot will operate. Waiting lists will be kept for all over-subscribed classes. Classes may start early and might also run into the evening.
14. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times and remain the responsibility of the owner. If any dog is found loose on the College grounds unattended, then appropriate action will be taken.
15. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
16. It is the responsibility of all competitors to ensure that the grounds of Merrist Wood College are kept clean and litter put in the bins provided. Any competitor or anyone attending with a competitor found to be disobeying these rules will be asked to leave the college grounds immediately.
17. The college staff reserves the right to ask any competitor or visitor in breach of these terms and conditions, to leave the grounds immediately.
18. The college reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions should the need arise.
19. Smoking is not permitted whilst mounted, in either the outdoor or indoor arena or within 5 metres of any doorway. There is a designated smoking shelter, clearly sign posted in the car park.
20. In the event of a Zonotic diseases (e.g Strangles, Equine Influenza, Herpes Virus) outbreak in the local area then all hirers and competitors are responsible for making sure that they minimise the risk of any potential contamination and if requested they provide a vet certificate to ensure the horses are disease free before arriving on site.