Riding in Hyde Park--what to expect?

[rebeginner]

I’ll be in London for a couple of days this fall, and found a thread somewhere here on COTH that lead me to Hyde Park Stables. I’ve booked a reservation, and do plan to bring my own boots and half-chaps (I’ll use one of their helmets, since packing mine is kind a of a PITA). I’m a competent amateur dressage rider (shown up to 4th Level), and have done some low-level eventing.

Am I correct to assume that if I can demonstrate a sufficient degree of aptitude, I will be allowed to actually ride out in the Park?

[PoohLP]

[QUOTE=rebeginner;7654703]
I’ll be in London for a couple of days this fall, and found a thread somewhere here on COTH that lead me to Hyde Park Stables. I’ve booked a reservation, and do plan to bring my own boots and half-chaps (I’ll use one of their helmets, since packing mine is kind a of a PITA). I’m a competent amateur dressage rider (shown up to 4th Level), and have done some low-level eventing.

Am I correct to assume that if I can demonstrate a sufficient degree of aptitude, I will be allowed to actually ride out in the Park?[/QUOTE]

I did this years ago (about 2000). It was fantastic. Both my friend and I were riders (or had been, lol) and once they determined that we knew what we were doing, they more or less set us free. It was pretty awesome to be a hoyden and have a gallop on Rotten Row.

Like I said, it has been a while, but if memory serves, you can’t just ride the whole park at will, but you have discretion about where you go in the areas where riding is permitted. It isn’t like many American trail rides where you are more or less on a plodding line of horses.

[Coanteen]

I just did it a couple of years ago. Yes, there are areas where you can ride, basically almost like bike lanes, but for horses, so you won’t be allowed to just gallop willy nilly through the grassy areas of the part. And they will stay with you.
But I was allowed to canter once I showed that I can ride. It was fun. But no, not allowed to go off on my own, and not allowed to stray off the for-horse paths.

[Cabaret_SK]

I didn’t ride in Hyde Park when I went, but instead went out hacking in the Great Park in Windsor.

I went with Tally Ho, and it was excellent. Definitely not a plodding line of horses - I met them at the stable, hopped in the horse van with them, and off we went. Warmed the horses up, got to know them, and then off at a good clip. Stunning scenery, too!

http://www.tallyhostables.co.uk/

[emipou]

I did this when I was a kid. So much fun!! Thanks for bringing back those memories.
I was maybe 11 and still a fairly new rider. But they let me canter with the more advanced group. I had so much fun that day!

[2DogsFarm]

Was it this thread:

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?274967-Has-anyone-ridden-in-Hyde-Park-(UK)

Many years ago, but I loved the people/guides & horses from Hyde Park Stables :yes:
The boots they supplied were comfortable, helmets fine for the purpose (beat taking that extra carryon) & the park itself was A-mazing!

[amastrike]

My friend and her new husband went there a few weeks ago while they were on their honeymoon and had a good time! Friend rode a horse named Albus :D. I’ll check with her on your questions.

[Doodlebug1]

As Cabaret SK said, there are other park options - Richmond Great Park and Windsor are both Royal Parks and substantially bigger and freer than Hyde Park. Windsor has a polo club, horse trials, Windsor Castle (and the queen and all her horses). Richmond is really quite central to London and has a large deer herd and tons more space and horse trails than Hyde Park. You can also cross into Wimbledon Common and around.

It depends on your riding level. Hyde Park is really quite small and restrictive - probably fun for a one off I’m sure you’ll have a good time whatever you do.

I live in Central London so PM me if there’s any help you’d like with your preparation or while you are here.

[rebeginner]

Thanks, all!

I appreciate the responses, and the confirmation that I should be able to ride in the Park (on bridle trails or other acceptable areas) as opposed to simply an arena located at the Park.

Doodlebug1, I may PM you with other questions, if you don’t mind.

All the other suggestions sound swell, but I’m only in London for a little more than 48 hours, on my way to Vienna (yes, to see the SRS!!). I won’t have time to get out to Richmond or Windsor–I’ll have to save that for another trip. My travel companion is NOT a horse person, so I booked my ride for 9:00 a.m., when he’ll still be sleeping.

[amastrike]

[QUOTE=rebeginner;7658006]
All the other suggestions sound swell, but I’m only in London for a little more than 48 hours, on my way to Vienna (yes, to see the SRS!!). I won’t have time to get out to Richmond or Windsor–I’ll have to save that for another trip. My travel companion is NOT a horse person, so I booked my ride for 9:00 a.m., when he’ll still be sleeping. :)[/QUOTE]

LOL, my other friend (yeah, I only have 2 or 3…) was in Vienna and saw the SRS a month or two ago! I’m now the proud owner of an SRS keychian :D.

[khall]

My son and I rode in Hyde park last summer, yes you will ride on the hacking paths through the park and not in an arena. Because we did not have a lesson set up to see what kind of riders we were, (I have owned and ridden/started my horses myself for over 30 yrs, DS is still pretty green but competent intermediate rider) we were kept to just walking and trotting. You will be on lead lines from the stable until getting to the park, then turned loose and ride with a guide (we had a lovely young girl ride with us). I rode a gorgeous former fox hunter who was just a lovely ride (a bit slow for my taste but very well trained) my DS rode the most gorgeous pony that tested him a bit (he much preferred his mount Rosie at our B and B on the moors) but still very safe pony. Lovely horses there at the stables with interesting accommodations.

Have fun! It is something not many get to do that is for sure.

[Nuages]

I rode in Hyde Park in May 2013. It was awesome! So much fun and such a different experience! Once you prove to the instructors/guides that you actually can ride (as opposed to the people that come in and say "Yeah I can ride, I did a pony ride at the county fair 20 years ago…) you will be able to ride those paths on your own (with the guides of course). Even if you can ride, they will put a lead line on your horse to and from the park, probably because you are riding on heavily trafficked city streets. I noticed that the cars don’t honk or anything, and the drivers and pedestrians are very curteous. I got to ride alongside the Queen’s Guards (I think) as they were leaving the barracks for a parade or ceremony. Really a great experience!

I also went to the Royal Mews and got to see all the coaches and an indoor where they train/work, which of course is stunning! Also don’t miss the Household Cavalry; you can see the Horseguards keeping watch, and I was able to get one to speak to me (albeit slyly) about his horse, whose name was Catherine.