Head of Equestrian
Our Head of Equestrian, Victoria Selway, speaks about our Equestrian Centre, and the options for riding at King's. These include bringing your own horse to the Centre, the King's Package - where we match you up with a horse for the duration of your time with the Equestrian Centre, and group and individual lessons.
Why Equestrian?
Horse riding is a popular and successful activity at King's College. King's is the ideal place for your child to pursue their passion for riding and/or competing, as well as take part in a number of additional, varied co-curricular activities, and get an excellent academic education.
It is common to hear in an assembly report the name of a rider who has played a pivotal role in a rugby, hockey or netball fixture on Saturday, as well as being part of a triumphant equestrian team the following day! We do not select riders for teams; entry is open to all who wish to compete and have fun – this makes all our successes even more rewarding!
We are delighted to be an official sponsor of nearby Pontispool Equine Sports Centre. As one of the country’s leading competition and schooling venues, Pontispool is a professional and innovative centre, catering for all levels of horsemanship across various equestrian disciplines.
Inter-school Competitions
Inter-school competitions take place throughout the year and almost every Sunday during the Michaelmas Term. As members of the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) we regularly enter teams and individuals in NSEA competitions for eventing, show jumping, dressage and jumping with style (JWS) as well as other local school events. Our teams are regularly placed at these events and the riders thoroughly enjoy competing. In the past we have worked with top riders including world-class gold medallist and six times Olympic Three-Day eventer Mary King, who delivered an inspirational private cross-country clinic.
Riding Lessons
As part of our weekly equestrian timetable, pupils can opt to have riding lessons as part of the co-curricular and sporting options available.
Depending on experience, pupils will have lessons at the equestrian centre, under the guidance of our Head of Equestrian Vikki Selway.
We can cater for all abilities from complete beginners to experienced competitors.
King's Schools Equestrian Centre
With a growing interest in riding at both King's College Prep School and King's College, and with increased expressions of interest about pupils bringing their own ponies to school, we developed and established the King's Equestrian Centre in September 2018.
Having moved to a new location, the centre is a self-contained yard with 12 stables, tack room, feed/store area, grazing, a 20m x 40m outdoor arena, and access to off-road hacking close by. Located just fifteen minutes' drive from King's College Prep School, and five minutes from King's College, pupils with their own ponies and those who have opted for the King's Horse package, ride three to four times a week as part of an equestrian timetable.
King's Schools Equestrian
LIVERY AND RIDING OPTIONS
We have three options available:
Option 1 – FULL LIVERY: You can bring your horse or pony to school with you!
Option 2 – KING'S HORSE PACKAGE: You will be able to ride and care for a horse, as if it were your own.
Option 3 – WEEKLY LESSONS: These will take place as part of an equestrian timetable.
If you already keep your own horse locally we can help you to integrate riding into your school day. A timetable will be in place to enable pupils to ride and care for their horses on a regular basis.
If you would like further information and to express your interest, please contact us. Places will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please email Vikki Selway, our Head of Equestrian