Porlock Vale Students Unite!

[msj]

[QUOTE=copper1;4282056]
Porlock was my dream as well after watching the movie! (I bought both the movie and book off Ebay recently!) Never got to go but went to Potomac Horse Center where several of the instructors had gone or worked at Porlock Vale![/QUOTE]

Ditto Copper1. I was there after Stretch Harding brought Betty Howett and Collette Stevens over. Lockie Richards was there also but I believe that Lockie came from Fulmer, not Porlock Vale.

Did my horsemasters AI in the fall '65 I think. I stayed on and managed the ‘top barn’ for maybe a yr after Lockie and Jane left for PA. I loved every minute of it.

[system]

Desperately seeking fellow alumni of Porlock Vale Equitation Centre!
Are you one of us or do you know someone who is?
We have a Facebook group and are growing by the day.
Come join us and relive some of those great days on the muck heap and moors!
MaryLouise (Robey) LeVeen '74-'76

[system]

Porlock

Thanks Mary Louise for starting the Facebook page. It’s so much fun “meeting up” with former classmates and students too. There are so many of us out there, I only hope that they will join in the fun, especially since we’re talking reunion! Great seeing the pictures posted so far and hope that there will be many more.
Side note to msj, Lockie Richards was on staff at Porlock and in the early 70’s here, still talked fondly of the old school.

[msj]

[QUOTE=Bostonbadger;4300671]
Thanks Mary Louise for starting the Facebook page. It’s so much fun “meeting up” with former classmates and students too. There are so many of us out there, I only hope that they will join in the fun, especially since we’re talking reunion! Great seeing the pictures posted so far and hope that there will be many more.
Side note to msj, Lockie Richards was on staff at Porlock and in the early 70’s here, still talked fondly of the old school.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the update on Lockie. I do believe I remember hearing or reading in the COTH that he had died.

Does anyone have any information on Betty Howett or Collette Stevens?

[Doodlebug1]

[QUOTE=lintesia;4281969]
My dream was to do the “Horsemasters” course after reading the book “The Horsemasters” way back in the 60’s. I must have been about 10 years old. Lo and behold, in my ripe mid-forties I took myself off to England (Yorkshire Riding Centre) and Scotland (Gleneagles) and did intensive BHS training. I even bought a wisp and I was actually asked to demonstrate its proper use during my Stage 1 exam!

P.S. I still have the book – it’s a cherished possession![/QUOTE]

Hi there - did you know there is a YRC group on Facebook too - just search under Yorkshire Riding Centre. there are some good photos of the old days - and lots of new ones too.

[system]

Porlock

It’s official, there is going to be a Porlock reunion at the Ford in October 2010 and we’re looking for alumni from all years whom attended!
If you know of anyone whom attended the school, please let them know about the Facebook page for Porlock Students and ask them to check in there.

[system]

My Time at Porlock Vale Equestrian Center

I came to Porlock Vale in the summer of 1973 with a friend. We took the AI course and then stayed on to teach there. Yvonne Nelson wa the head Instructor and Col. Crawford was there. Jane was his secretary. The man who owned Porlock Wier Hotel owned the School then.

I ended up staying there for 3 years. I did one and three day eventing on a horse called Serenade. I also was ‘head girl’ for one year and ran the stables. Then I worked more on the teaching staff.

I got the Stable Management part of my “I” and was very happy about that.

As most of the posting remark, it was a wonder time in my life and I fondly remember all my time there. I espically liked riding on the Moor. I spent a lot of time there getting my horse fit for eventing. No other place have I found where you could ride ‘for ever’ it seemed with out fenses or roads to heam you in.

We would take some of the horses hunting so they could be sold. I remember going fox and stag hunting. It seemed like no place in the world could you have all you had there in that small part of the world!!

I was back to Porlock about 9 yrs ago and they had the house and the stables were still the same. Yet it was not really a riding school as I had remembered it.

I do thank God that I had the opportunity to be there when it was in its ‘hay day’ so to speak.

Dr. Ruth Cox

[system]

[QUOTE=mlrl2820;4285702]
Desperately seeking fellow alumni of Porlock Vale Equitation Centre!
Are you one of us or do you know someone who is?
We have a Facebook group and are growing by the day.
Come join us and relive some of those great days on the muck heap and moors!
MaryLouise (Robey) LeVeen '74-'76[/QUOTE]
Mary Louse Robey, you must have been at Porlock the same time I was there, 73-76.

What are you doing these days?? Do you have contact with others who were there during 73-76??

Ruth Cox

[Event4Life]

[QUOTE=Doodlebug1;4302718]
Hi there - did you know there is a YRC group on Facebook too - just search under Yorkshire Riding Centre. there are some good photos of the old days - and lots of new ones too.[/QUOTE]

I went to YRC - Summer of 2004!! Oh, the memories…some great, some not so good. But what a intensive summer & amazing learning experience.

[JMurray]

[QUOTE=Ghazzu;4281654]
I read “The Horsemasters” about a dozen times as a kid.
I so wanted to go to Porlock Vale![/QUOTE]

Me too!

How about a wannabe group!

[system]

Update to all PVEC students and friends:
Our Porlock Vale Student group on Facebook has grown to 70 members - and this is without any advertising!
Lots of new photos and discussions are being posted.
Join us!!!

For all who are not FB fans; a new website is in the making.

[DeeThbd]

My lovely gelding’s breeder (from FL) identifies herself as having attended there - she is infrequent on FB, but I will PM her and direct her to this thread.
Cheers!
Dee

[Francine]

Porlock Vale - I was there!

I spent many happy holidays at Porlock in the 1980s and eventually did a stint as cook/housekeeper in 1987 - Keeley Davies and Josephine Batty Smith were the owner and chief instructress at the time. I went there again when Pat and Paddy bought it but have not been anywhere near there for many years. Thinking of renting the house for husband’s big birthday next year. Loved seeing the video and Orlando under sidesaddle…

[Rick_P_of_Hopkinton]

Rick P of Hopkinton attended in April of 73’. Thanks for the memory jogs of other postings. Trying to find facebook page, no luck. Would someone assist be attaching a link, please?

[laughingdove]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/71654812660

[sockmonkey]

I had originally signed up for my AI program at Porlock Vale, but they turned into a livery just before I was set to go. I ended up at Patchett’s in Watford instead. Wah.

[Pamela_B]

I attended Porlock Vale in the 1980’s and would love to connect with others, but I am not and will never be on Facebook. An earlier post mentioned a possible web page - does anyone know anything about that?

Also, I saw that the property went back on the market in the Spring of 2015 - does anyone know what happened since?

[oldbutnotdead]

I went in 1978! I had a great time! My favorite horse was a palomino-like colored mare (?) named Cotton.

[Mitt]

I, Marsha Briscoe attended for July 1969 with 2 friends, Sally Keim ( Woods ) and Ruth Buddinhagen ( ?). " The 3 Canadians ". I should have stayed and taken my “AI” !!! It has haunted me.I LOVED it/England. Have gone from Jumpers to Welsh Ponies as a Family Business that are Bred, Shown In Hand, DRIVEN and Hunters. www.relhok.ca ( An English Driving Tradition that ones Farm be the backward of their Name ) and Relhok Farm -Pleasure & Combined Driving on FB. Before my Facility a Psychic told me that I would Import a Welsh Stallion- Whattt ? But I almost have twice. I remember the Sat morn Hacks on the Moors !!! Mad Gallops in a pack . I was about to do the Course down by the Shore and The Concorde flew right over me on the pony !!! To add to my memory, the Pony was the favored Sgt. Pepper. A Bay, I believe now was a British Riding Pony. We all sped to read the Riding Roster to see who got him ! Jealousy set in while the smug Rider walked happily away !! Great Memories. I saw that it closed. I have seen a video of " PV House ". SO nice to see it Kept up. Beautiful Area. I hope the Owners feel Lucky and Honored- I would !! I Love this
endeavour to Reunite- Thank you Mary. Off to FB…Marsha Briscoe-Kohler

[KBC]

@lintesia

My dream was to do the “Horsemasters” course after reading the book “The Horsemasters” way back in the 60’s. I must have been about 10 years old. Lo and behold, in my ripe mid-forties I took myself off to England (Yorkshire Riding Centre) and Scotland (Gleneagles) and did intensive BHS training. I even bought a wisp and I was actually asked to demonstrate its proper use during my Stage 1 exam!

P.S. I still have the book – it’s a cherished possession!

Bought ht a wisp! Bought one!,!

Back in in my day you had to make your own! Noah taught me while were waiting for the waters to recede!