Where to Ride Western: Western Riding UK & EU Venues
Whilst Western Riding is typically synonymous with ranches of the American West, with growing recognition globally and an increased popularity in cowboy culture, it has found a thriving home in the UK and Europe.
The unique style of Western Riding, paired with the variety of disciplines, is what makes it so appealing to both experienced and novice riders. The excitement that comes with rodeo and the on-trend cowboy culture also draws big crowds, whilst the leisurely pace of trail riding – associated closely with the laidback western discipline – means Western riding really does have something for everyone. So it’s no wonder that it is growing globally in popularity.
Thinking about giving Western Riding a go? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular places in the UK and Europe to get started.
Where to ride western in the UK
Oakridge Quarter Horses Arena, Northamptonshire
Whilst Oakridge Arena is versatile in the events it holds – from dog shows to classic car meets – the arena is best known for Western Riding. In fact, it is one of the most popular places in the UK to get involved with the sport.
The venue not only offers Western Riding lessons, clinics, and hosts events; it is known for training Quarter Horses too. You’ll find experienced teachers giving lessons in Western disciplines like reining, trail, and ranch riding for beginners to experts.
Where: Oakridge Arena, Collingham, Newark.
Website: www.oakridgearena.co.uk
Sovereign Quarter Horses, Cambridgeshire
Sovereign Quarter Horses is one of the forefront locations for Western Riding in the UK. It was one of the first fully-licensed western riding establishments in the country, so you can be sure that you’ll experience the very best teaching.
Offering lessons for all abilities, this venue is a great place to come if you’re just starting out your journey in Western Riding. The venue also hosts exciting Western experience days, clinics, events, and camps, alongside their western horse training.
Where: Sovereign Quarter Horses, Coldham Bank, March.
Website: sovereignquarterhorses.com
Valley Farm, Suffolk
With 82 acres of meadows, trails, and woodlands, Valley Farm is another popular place to ride Western. From beginner lessons in Western Riding to one hour trail rides around the farm for those with a little more experience. They also offer lessons for everything from neck reining, dismounting, rollbacks, and saddlery.
Where: Wickham Market, Suffolk.
Website: www.valleyfarm.co.uk
Bodiam International Arena, East Sussex
Since 1988, this spectacular arena has been training Reining horses. Home to the Sterling Quarter Horses, the venue is the largest of its kind in the south-east of the UK, offering many types of riding, including lessons in Western Riding disciplines.
The venue also holds some of the biggest Western Riding events throughout the year too, drawing competitors and Western Riding enthusiasts from across Europe.
Where: Bodiam, Robertsbridge, East Sussex.
Website: www.bodiaminternationalarena.com
Getting involved in Western Riding doesn’t stop there. There are plenty of local riding centres across the UK offering events, camps, and lessons for riders of all levels.
Where to ride western in Europe
In Europe, there are an array of stunning ranches and venues, nestled in beautiful countryside, where beginners to novice riders can enjoy the discipline. Whether you’re looking for a one-off lesson, a week-long camp, or a training program, there are plenty of options. Western Riding has grown most significantly in popularity in France, with places such as the Haute Langeudoc Natural Parc full of Western Riding opportunities, from trail riding, cattle work, and more. All across Europe there are areas of natural beauty home to ranches and venues to get stuck in.
Ranch du Haut-Languedoc, France
In the heart of the Haute Langeudoc Natural Parc, this is just one of the ranches offering a place to ride Western in the area. It provides a variety of activities including Western-style horse riding, mountain trail courses, and even junior cowboy workshops, alongside a host of other activities.
Where: Haute Langeudoc Natural Parc, France.
Reining Centre Meulendijks, Netherlands
This centre is dedicated to reining, offering lessons from expert trainers with access to state-of-the-art facilities. It is one of the most famous western riding schools in the Netherlands, and hosts various reining competitions, clinics and more as well as providing lessons and training.
Where: Grathem, The Netherlands
Castellare di Tonda, Italy
Located in the Tuscan hills of Italy, Castellare di Tonda offers great western riding experiences. The riding centre has both indoor and outdoor arenas, offering reining lessons with expert trainers on their highly schooled Quarter Horses. The venue also offers trail riding experiences in the Tuscan hills, something you won’t want to miss out on.
Where: Montaione, Tuscany, Italy.
Silver Saddle Ranch, Germany
Specialising in western disciplines like reining and pleasure riding, this ranch is well-equipped. It provides structured training programs with professional instructors and well-schooled horses for both beginners and advanced riders. With indoor arenas and outdoor tracks, there really is something for everyone here.
Where: Lichtenau, Germany.
PSV Freystadt, Germany
With a large riding hall equipped with an all-round sand floor, as well as a plethora of space for spectators, this venue has everything that’s needed for lessons and events.
With memberships, lessons for non-members, and introductory courses this venue has something for everyone, with training in ranch roping, trail riding, cattle penning, and much more. The specialised ranch horse team at the centre maintains traditional working riding, and with available equipment such as cattle dummies and bullfighting carts, the venue provides some of the very best western riding training.
Where: Freystadt, Germany
Website: www.psv-freystadt.de
Raiffeisen Reitcenter Aadorf, Switzerland
This centre in Switzerland is a high-end equestrian facility known for its state-of-the-art amenities and high-quality care for horses. Located in the scenic town of Aadorf, this centre offers a wide range of facilities for both riders and horses. With professional instructors, indoor and outdoor arenas, and scenic trails in the Swiss countryside surrounding the centre, this really is a hub for riders looking for lessons, competitions, and events.
Where: Aadorf, canton of Thurgau, Switzerland
Sunray Ranch Bergkamen, Germany
With a charming, friendly atmosphere, this ranch is a well-equipped equestrian centre, nestled in beautiful scenery. The venue offers comprehensive training in an array of disciplines, and for riders of all skill levels, with expert instructors on hand to help riders perfect style and technique. Enjoy beautiful trails on horseback, in scenery you don’t want to miss, or delve into one of the frequently organised social events the centre host and meet like-minded individuals.
Where: Bergkamen, Germany
Website: www.sunray-ranch.de
