Riding Lessons in Devon

Devon riders come to Fernfield Equestrian for one reason — genuinely tailored coaching. Group sessions can be useful, but progress accelerates fastest when instruction is built around the individual rider and the individual horse. Every Fernfield lesson starts with a quick conversation about how you are feeling that day, what your horse has been doing during the week, and what you would like to get from the next 45 minutes to an hour.

Children, teens and adults all benefit from the same patient, structured approach. We coach Pony Club members, hobby riders, adult returners getting their nerve back, and competition riders fine-tuning a dressage test. Whatever stage you are at, the aim is the same — to leave the arena feeling more confident, more in control and more in tune with your horse than when you started.

Our coaching covers all three main disciplines, with a particular passion for dressage and the flatwork side of training. From a basic working trot to lateral work, transitions, and the elements that build up to an Elementary test, we believe every horse — regardless of discipline — benefits from a strong flatwork foundation.

Showjumping, pole-work and confidence-building grids form part of many lesson plans. For event riders we add cross-country schooling preparation, fitness planning and on-the-day competition coaching at venues across Devon.

While we are based near Okehampton in West Devon, we travel widely. Riders in Exeter, Crediton, Tiverton, Tavistock, Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Honiton, Barnstaple and the surrounding villages all benefit from on-yard coaching at their own facilities. If your venue has an arena we can teach there; if not, we can recommend nearby hire arenas and travel together.

Lessons start from £30 plus arena hire where applicable. Schooling sessions on your horse, where we ride and progress them on your behalf, start from £20.

A large part of our adult work is helping returning riders rediscover the joy of riding without the nerves. A fall, a long break, a change of horse or just life getting in the way can knock the confidence of even very capable riders. We take things at exactly the speed you need — sometimes that means a session entirely on the lunge, sometimes it means quiet hacking and groundwork, sometimes it is straight back into the arena. The plan is yours.