Find a horse riding camp
for the next school holiday

Most riding schools in the UK accept children from age 3 or 4 for led pony rides and introductory pony days, and from around age 5 or 6 for group lessons and holiday camps. Some schools accept children as young as 2 for very short led experiences. The BHS recommends all young riders wear a properly fitted riding hat to current safety standards (PAS 015 or VG1).

A pony day is a single-day session at a riding school, usually lasting a morning or full day. Activities typically include grooming and tacking up, a riding lesson, stable management tasks (mucking out, filling water buckets, learning about feed), and time handling ponies on the ground. Many venues include a picnic lunch. Pony days are ideal for children who want more than a single lesson but are not ready to commit to a multi-day camp.

No. Most holiday camps at UK riding schools welcome complete beginners and group children by ability, not age. Camps typically run structured sessions that progress through the week, so a child who has never ridden before on Monday is usually trotting confidently by Friday. Some specialist camps (e.g. show jumping academies) do require a minimum level, but these are clearly labelled.

Day camp prices at UK riding schools typically run from £35 to £70 per day, or £150 to £320 for a full week. Residential camps cost more, generally £400 to £900 for a week depending on the standard of facilities and the ratio of instructors to children. Pony days tend to cost between £40 and £90. Prices vary by region, yards in the Home Counties and South East tend to sit at the higher end.

Popular summer camps at well-regarded riding schools often fill by April or May for July and August sessions. If you have a specific venue or date in mind, booking as early as February or March gives you the best choice of weeks. Easter and half-term camps typically fill 4-6 weeks before the holiday period.