Willowbrook Riding Centre is a family-owned horse riding school situated in the semi-rural village of Hambrook, near the West Sussex/Hampshire border, within four miles of Havant and Chichester. We are a family-friendly riding school with a relaxed atmosphere, designed not only to teach you how to ride but ensure you're having fun while doing so.
The riding school is open all year round offering group and private horse riding lessons, hacking, and children's pony mornings. We cater for horse riders of all abilities, sizes, and ages (over two and a half), so no matter who you are, or what experience you have, everyone is welcome. Willowbrook Riding Centre is approved by the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) and licenced by the West Sussex County Council.
The riding school is open all year round offering group and private horse riding lessons, hacking, and children's pony mornings. We cater for horse riders of all abilities, sizes, and ages (over two and a half), so no matter who you are, or what experience you have, everyone is welcome. Willowbrook Riding Centre is approved by the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) and licenced by the West Sussex County Council.
Services
Established in 1989 by Christine Hirlehey, Willowbrook Riding Centre is a family-run horse riding school and livery yard with a friendly and informal atmosphere. The riding school is open all year round and offers horse riding in West Sussex and Hampshire for all abilities of anyone over the age of two and a half, with a maximum rider weight of 16 stone.
We offer riding lessons for all ages and abilities, from beginners to advanced riders in our all-weather mnage. Our lessons are given by our friendly and experienced instructors and we especially welcome the nervous rider needing to progress at their own pace. As far as possible, we ensure that you have the same instructor each time to ensure your riding progresses in a consistent manner.
Hacking is a great way to experience horse riding outside of the riding school and into the local countryside. We have a selection of lovely horses for our clients to ride and offer horse hacking options from beginners to advanced riders. Our one-hour hacks are the most popular option which takes riders local around country lanes and bridleways.
A children's pony morning consists of all aspects of looking after horses such as practicing tacking up, grooming a horse or pony, mucking out and participate in feeding the horses. The pony morning also includes a half hour lesson or half hour walkout, either of which can be chosen at the time of booking.
Struggling to find time to look after your horse? Let us do all the hard work and take of them for you. As well as being a riding school, Willowbrook also has a small livery yard that offers part-livery. Situated in a small village called Hambrook, along the West Sussex and Hampshire border, our livery yard has a friendly and informal atmosphere.
Reviews (16)
Gracie Whiting
Oct 09, 2021
Report
HORRENDOUS to sum it SAVE YOUR MONEY …..…I have been riding for about several years..literally just had a taster lesson for half an hour and I can say it was the worst lesson I have ever had. I was made to feel as tho I had never even sat on a horse before !!! and that I had no idea what I was doing,both the the owner and the instructor did not make us feel welcome have nothing positive to say about this place and would strongly suggest you AVOID this place and WOULDN'T recommend!!!….such a shame as I have never felt the need to put a negative comment before ! SAVE YOUR TIME
Kelly Marie Kearn
Sep 30, 2021
Report
Daniella Hodge
Sep 18, 2021
Report
I'd never ridden before, so was really nervous but I thought I'd try this riding centre, I went for my first lesson which was fine, there were two of us in the lesson, I thought quite it was reasonably priced, second lesson again fine, however when I made a third booking I was abruptly told by the owner I shouldn't have been getting the price I was and it would be more as I'm having private lessons. Well ok, there's no need to be rude, someone should have told me the price. The owner is really rude, not welcoming and you're expected to know what to do when you arrive, grab a hat and wait at the
Jemma Andrews
Aug 28, 2021
Report
Had an AMAZING experience today having private lessons with my two daughters. my daughters where just starting there riding journey and I am returning to riding after a few years off. kerryanne and the whole… yard made us feel welcome beyond words, they took there time to answer all questions and made the whole riding experience just wonderful!! we can't wait for our next visit!! amazing g school with a confidence giving team!
Lynne Gowers
Aug 07, 2021
Report
Shannon Murphy
Jul 18, 2021
Report
So yesterday I went on an hour hack, sadly only lasted about half of that as I fell off in the middle of the road. The horse Duchess was eating some grass as horses do when I started to walk her on she bolted and I fell at quite a speed and landed in the middle of the road. The owner Chris walked over asked if I was ok and walked off to phone someone to collect me. I was left sitting in the middle of the road with cars coming along the road, NO ONE standing with me to stop traffic. When I was collected I stood up and the stirrup and leather was underneath me. HOW ON EARTH DID THAT HAPPEN, THE STIRRUP
Andrew Kerry-Bedell
May 08, 2021
Report
Paige Victoria
Apr 29, 2021
Report
Tantagoi Adrian
Apr 08, 2021
Report
I arrived there and I was the first one there. I was given a form to fill in for this year. A lady come along , she was given a form too. I filled in the form and asked the owner if I can book in for next week. She said just give me a few minutes to sort out some riders that where about to go on a hick. I said that is ok. Then an other lady come along and she asked for the forms. In the mean time the first lady she hand it over the forms. The owner started talking to her and booked her in, while the owner knew I was waiting to book in for next week. The second lady hand it over the forms and she
Evie Hext
Jan 29, 2021
Report
I love this riding centre so much coming from a rider who is nervous before every lesson they are always so supportive and helpful towards your growth in riding and considering how expensive horse riding usually is its quite cheap! Some of the horses are abit lazy once you get of lead reign (ones called Dillon) but most of the time the horses are wonderful, I've never had an accident nor seen one in my lesson other than the horse not listening to what your saying, which is understandable cause it's a wild animal with a person on there back overall just a lovely place with a good vibe, really appreciate
Poppy Josephine Lowles
Oct 25, 2020
Report
Thank you Jo and Duchess I went for an hour hack with Jo and enjoyed every second. Horse 'Duchess' was lovely and Jo was excellent riding companion. It had been a while since I had ridden but they picked a… route I could trott and canter if I wanted to (I did). Route was picturesque even as we approach winter. Couple of roads to cross but never an issue! Thanks Jo for a lovely ride! Definitely going back again.
Nora
Oct 18, 2020
Report
Bethany Kachura
Oct 10, 2020
Report
Ella Tramunto
Oct 08, 2020
Report
Really knowledgable, lovely staff who've been riding and instructing for decades. As someone who's been riding previously, but not for 10+ years (same as my boyfriend who came along with me), I was a bit rusty at first but our instructor was calm, collected and gave us sound advice and we were trotting by the end of the lesson. Thanks so much for a brilliant hour - we'll be back in a couple of weeks for sure :)
Jack Pinder
Sep 02, 2020
Report
Great B&B - the room was comfortably able to fit me and my two friends, and we all had a great night's sleep. Most importantly, the hosts were very welcoming and generous: they offered the garage for us to lock up our bikes safely, and the breakfast in the morning was absolutely delicious. At such a reasonable price, we couldn't have asked for more from a B&B - thank you!
Claire Peters
Aug 24, 2016
Report
I started riding at Willowbrook at the beginning of the year (2016) as I was gifted one of their gift vouchers for Christmas. I'd ridden a handful of times as a child but nothing serious so I was quite nervous. Everyone there is very friendly and made me feel more confident before I'd even sat on the horse! The horses are very good and make me feel very safe. Kerry the riding instructor is very understanding and never pushes you past your abilities. I've now been riding weekly (Sundays) for about four months and am starting to canter and am thinking about starting to hack. Prices are reasonable
