Welcome to the 2011-2012 Riding Club to both new and returning members!

We hope that you've had a great summer and are looking forward to riding with the Club this year.

Introduction 

Club members ride at Trent Valley Equestrian Centre which is 19 miles away and takes about 38 minutes to get to. The Centre has amazing facilities with a big 1800m indoor arena as well as two outdoor ones. On top of this, there is a cross -country track where their mock hunts are also organised on. All their staff have qualifications ranging from BHSAI Equine Degrees to NVQ Assessors. For more information, visit their website here.

Those who have cars drive those who do not, and petrol costs are refunded by the Club.

The Riding Club has members of all abilities - the only requirement is to enjoy riding! The lessons are not compulsory and work on a weekly sign up basis via our website. 

We ride on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons for lessons, hacks, jumping and cross-country. We have four levels of lessons; beginners, improvers, intermediate and advanced.

The club also offers lessons in Horse Ball, an exciting sport which combines the skills of riding, polo and rugby into one. There are also opportunities to represent the university and compete in a friendly league. 

There is also the Club's advanced riding team if you wish to compete at BUCS level.

Whether you are an experienced rider or interested in learning to ride, this Club is for you.

Memberships

Standard Membership - A one off payment of £20 for the whole year. This provides access and subsidy to all weekly lessons and the extra activites we run during the year including Competitions, Clinics, Holidays, Socials, Trips etc **This membership does not including Horse Ball**  

Riding & Horse Ball - A one off payment of £25 for the whole year. This provides access to all of the above as well as Horse Ball weekly lessons, matches and training. 

Riding Sutton Bonnington + - This is membership specifically for students on SB campus that are already a member of the SB Horse Riding Club. This provides access to all of our extra activities that we run during the year e.g. Competitions, Clinics, Holidays, Socials and Trips as well as Horse Ball. **This membership does not include regular weekly lessons with the University Park Riding Club**

Which lesson should you ride in?

• Beginners/Novices : This lesson caters for those who have never ridden or have only done so a few times before.

• Improvers : These lessons will be for those who have learnt the basic skills of riding and are looking to learn how to walk, trot and canter independently.

• Intermediates : This lesson caters for riders who are competent at all paces and can ride without stirrups. There will be occasional jumping lessons.

• Advanced : Riders must be able to assess the horse and school their mount without direct instruction. Riders are expected to perform lateral work. Again there will be occasional jumping in addition to cross-country lessons.

• Hacks : This is a ride out into the countryside around the stables.

Equipment and Regulations

Wear warm and comfortable clothes and preferably flat shoes with a smooth sole and well defined heel. Hats can be borrowed from TVE. The Club provides body protectors for all jumping.

If you are riding (ie. on the Definitive List) we meet in the foyer of the Portland Building or at Nottingham Train Station - you need to check your emails regularly to find out where and what time to meet. Please bring a cheque for £16 payable to U of NSU Riding.All cancellations within 24 hours of the lesson will result in a loss of your deposit. 

Horseball Lessons 

In addition to the riding society we also offer horseball membership for a small additional fee.

Horseball is a relatively new sport to the UK. It is played in over 15 countries and is currently being considered as a potential Olympic sport. The aim of each team (4 to 6 people) is to score in the opponents goal, a hoop placed several meters off the ground. If the ball falls, riders have to try and pick it up off the ground without dismounting, by using their pick-up strap.

The lessons we provide are taught at Trent Valley EC and on horses that compete in the sport regularly. Prior horseball experience is not needed, just the ability to walk, trot and canter confidently. In conjunction to the lessons we carry out weekly off-horse training sessions to improve team tactics and ball skills.

Please feel free to contact the riding society for more information, and visit us on facebook by searching: 'Nottingham Uni Horseball'.