Adult & Teen Riders

For adult & Teen riders we offer:

Private, Semi and Group lessons seven days a week.	Evening classes.	Specialist day courses.
Advanced Dressage Schoolmaster lessons.	Show Jumping lessons.	Holiday courses.
Side Saddle and Western Tasters.	Examination training.	Vaulting lessons.

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Private, semi-private and group lessons

Times by arrangement

We can offer one-to-one tuition (private lessons), semi-private lessons (2-3 riders) and group lessons (+4 riders) every day between 10am and 5pm (please check weekly Evening Classes for later times).

Private lessons are usually run during the week, there is limited availability at the weekend.
Semi-private & Group lessons are available throughout the week, but are normally held at the weekend.

Our regular weekly group lessons include:

Saturday:

9:15am, Advanced Dressage and own horse shared session with Tina.
10:00am, Adults’ shared Dressage lesson (4 places)
11:00am, Childrens’ shared flatwork, walk and trot independently (4 places)
11:00am, Peak time private Dressage lessons, including Advanced Schoolmaster lessons
12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm Childrens’ half hour individual balance and coordination sessions
1:00pm, Adults shared session may include jumping, polework or gridwork (4 places)
1:30pm-3:00pm Vaulting
2:00pm, Childrens’ shared flatwork, walk and trot independently (4 places)
3:00pm, Private dressage lessons or birthday party
4:15pm, Private flatwork arena hire

Sunday:

10:00am, Adults’ shared Dressage lesson (4 places)
11:00am-12:30pm, Pony club weekly
11:00am, Peak time private Dressage lessons, including Advanced Schoolmaster lessons
12:00pm, 12:30pm Childrens’ half hour individual balance and coordination sessions
1:00pm, Adults shared session may include jumping, polework or gridwork (4 places)
2:00pm, Childrens’ shared polework/jump session (4 places)
2:00pm, Peak time private Dressage lessons, including Advanced Schoolmaster lessons
3:00pm, Birthday party or childrens’ half hour individual balance and coordination sessions
4:15pm, Private flatwork arena hire

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5:15 - 6:15 pm, Monday - Jump Club (Novice), £38

Show jumping Mondays are now running and open to anyone capable in walk, trot and canter that can manage a small jump. You will need to be assessed for the group before joining as it is a group that works on improving the horses way of going over and around fences. Learn different exercises to help your confidence, balance and light seat position.

One hour group ride.

6:15 - 7:15 pm, Monday - Jump Club (Intermediate), £40

One hour group ride.

7:00 - 8:00pm, Wanda Bendisch, £40

The aim of this evening class is to develop a positive attitude towards riding through releasing stress and supporting the rider’s confidence by working on our level of fitness and coordination. Through developing a better balance on the horse we increase the rider’s equilibrium and his seat on the horse.

Our aims are to improve mobility and flexibility, core stability, postural alignment, weight loss, cardiovascular fitness and create a oneness with our horse. The class is mainly for the novice rider who is capable to walk, trot and canter independently. But we also welcome the adult rider who has started riding recently and would like to try riding in a group in a relaxed atmosphere.
We like to try different things on our Tuesday evening class like vaulting, fitness workouts, riding to music etcetera. If you would like to try anything special let us know 🙂

One hour group ride.

7:00 - 8:30pm, Nicola Swain, £40

The Thursday evening class is targeted at riders have a good understanding of the basics and have progressed from the novice groups and who wish to push their riding and baking skills further.

The sessions consist of a 1hr ride, followed by a lecture/discussion with tea (or coffee) and home baked cake.

The principal instructor for the group is Nicola Swain. Nicola focuses on the scales of training and the interaction between them to improve her riders’ abilities. The techniques she employs ensure that the riders both have a goal to work to and have to work to that goal.

The group was initially set up by one of the other instructors as a lighthearted alternative to Wanda’s Tuesday Balance and Fitness Club, quickly earning the nickname the Fatness Club due to the requirement of all members taking turns to bake a cake. The competitive nature of the group works well to push both their riding and baking skills forwards.

This is a very popular group and riders who are interested in joining the group are welcome, subject to space being available.

BHSI, Reg. UKCC III Coach Educator, NVQ A1 Assessor

Owner, Instructor and Trainer.

Tina and her parents started Contessa Riding and Training Centre in 1977 and it has continued to blossom and grow ever since. Tina competed up to Grand Prix level with her mare Pik Dame, who she trained right through the levels from a three year old. The highlight of her competition career was with Pik Dame representing Great Britain in 2000. At present she is training Queijada for GP work, a Lusitano mare previously owned by the daughter of Sylvia Loch of the Classical Riding Club, who wanted her horse to be trained by a classical rider who would be able to take her to her full potential. Since Q arrived at Contessa it has been the start of her affair with the Lusitano’s, as they require sensitivity, loving and harmony to produce the best from them and she is happy to give them all that!

Other important horses in Tina’s Dressage career have been:

Borrowdale (Buster to his friends) – who introduced Tina to Grand Prix competition, having trained him to that level.
Karleton Quartz – an inexpensive Anglo-Arab bought to save from the meat man at a sale with the intention to bring on and sell, who ended up competing to Prix St. Georges with Tina, then training a great many students in the advanced movements
Lanzo – also bought to sell, but ended up staying! With whom Tina competed to advanced /PSG level nationally, and who has introduced a few lucky members of staff to advanced competition.
Other very special competition horses that have been with Tina inc Deskant, Marcus, Some Friend and many school horses have been taken under her wing for some competition experience.

As a BHS Instructor and trainer, Tina has coached a very large number of riders, encouraging them all to work with their horse to achieve both harmony, understanding and correct way of going in the classical method. She has trained a great many students through their riding and teaching exams to the highest levels, including to the dressage section of the BHS Fellowship. She was previously a BHS examiner, and currently examines for the ABRS to their ATD Exam – the top exam that they offer. Tina is also a UKCC level 3 Tutor in Sport, NVQ A1 assessor and was a BHS Riding and Road Safety trainer and examiner.

Tina has been training with Arthur Kottas (photo with Tina above), former First Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, for over 20 Years. Tina goes to the TTT in Guildford several times a year to train with Arthur and has regularly been asked to perform in their lecture/demonstrations.

She has also ridden in demos and received training from many great horseman, such as Reiner Klimke, Nuno Oliveira, John Lassetter, Danny Pevsner, Stephen Clarke, to mention just a few!

Tina has also been working with John Bowen since 1993. This benefits all the students who then want to join in his clinics at Contessa which are held every two months, as the classical ethos of both their training is continued which she thinks is so very important.

Tina feels she owes tremendous amount to her Mother and late Father who have helped her build Contessa Riding Centre into the international dressage yard that it is today. Without their support, advise and encouragement it may not be as it is now!

BHSAI

Nicola developed a love of horses at a very young age, and has been riding virtually her whole life. She has worked in various yards, including dressage, jumping and stud yards. She has worked in dealer’s yards, hunting yards and even polo.

Nicola loved eventing when she was younger, however she is no stranger to Contessa having trained with us 18 years ago. It was then that her passion to train classically and in particular dressage was born, which surprised her as she originally had plans to event. But the intricacy of dressage fascinated her, and she has carried on ever since.

Nicola has owned her own horses, mainly training them from the start, and has competed to elementary level. Nicola only left to have her daughter and then embarked on a career as a police officer. However her passion for horses proved too strong and 2 years ago she returned to coaching and training. Nicola has, and still does, compete for the Hertfordshire Police Saddle Club, including showjumping at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, parading with colleagues in front of the Queen and leading a procession of over one hundred horses and riders from all services including the Army, Navy and Air Force.

She has also competed in showjumping at Hickstead. For the future Nicola plans on completing her BHSII, and ABRS exams, continuing to compete with the Herts Police Saddle Club, and taking her young horse out to compete.

She has a keen interest in in-hand work especially for rehabilitation of horses. This developed from her experience with her own horse having spinal issues. Nicola teaches passionately building a great rapport with her clients encouraging riders to build their confidence.

ABRS TC, UKCC II, Marketing Manager

Wanda started working at Contessa in 2014 after working in different riding schools in Germany and London. “Riding schools in the city are limited in terms of space and horses”, she says, “Contessa has extraordinary trainers and facilities and a variety of horses for everyone plus schoolmasters trained to Grand Prix level and is still easily accessible from London.”

Wanda is originally from Germany where she started riding at the age of 6.
After years of teaching in a German Dressage Riding Centre in Northrhine Westphalia and studying business & law Wanda came to London in 2012 and worked in an environmental & human rights law firm. She obviously missed the horses and started working in different riding schools including Hyde Park Stables and Mudchute Equestrian Centre.
Wanda has a busy teaching schedule and focuses particularly on the riders position and the understanding of the riders aiding to improve the horses way of going.
As our Marketing Manager she recently developed Contessa’s website and writes our newsletter. She is also our Student Liaison Officer and supports our students with their exams. She loves to ride our Advanced Dressage Horses and especially our Lusitano stallions and mares from Portugal and Spain. Wanda is available for lessons both weekdays and weekends.
She also runs our Balance & Coordination Evening Class ( Tuesday 7pm). Wanda holds her ABRS Teaching Certificate and UK Coaching Certificate and is one of our lucky ABRS scholarship holders.
She also runs her own livery & training yard near Contessa and is currently competing her 6 year old German Warmblood Sir Sandokan (Monty) in BD Dressage competitions. Wanda backed Monty herself when he was 3 years old and he has enjoyed many of Contessa’s several clinics. Wanda and Monty are supported by Tina in their training and also train regularly with Arthur Kottas.

BE and BD accredited international trainer

John has been training riders at Contessa on and off for 20 years in dressage and show jumping. He has gives lectures and demonstrations at the Centre. He trains riders in all disciplines from grass roots to international level. John has helped Tina with her horses on different occasions.

John has trained Jeanette Brakewell for the last 11 years, the rider of Over to You and one of Team GB – our Olympic team. He is also Irish National Eventing Team Coach for Young Riders and Juniors – training individual gold and silver medallists.

He has competed to Grand Prix in dressage and evented internationally. John takes clinics at Contessa every two months where riders can enjoy his charm and wit while working hard on correct methods of training. A word of warning to all riders: just don’t click to your horse.

John Adams, Show Jumping

John started his training with Brian Young before going to Germany to work and ride. He later returned to the UK and produced a great many horses from Novice to Grade A. He now trains riders of all calibres.

John holds monthly show jumping clinics at Contessa and is a wonderfully encouraging instructor, who coaxes the best out of horse and rider and gives great confidence to his pupils.

Blossom Salmon

Blossom has been riding and been around horses from a very young age and is now the proud owner of her two own horses. Showjumping is her passion but since starting her apprenticeship at Contessa her interest for Dressage is quickly growing. Alongside her apprenticeship, Blossom is also hoping to progress through the BHS Stages and is thoroughly enjoying beginning to teach new riders.

Lusitano

A classically trained mare.

Queijada is a Lusitano mare formerly owned by Sylvia Lochs daughter. Queijada has been competed by Tina at Advanced level dressage. Queijada was the first Lusitano at the yard and is trained in a classical style.

Queijada enables our Advanced Instructors to use Classical teaching methods in teaching the Advanced movements. Queijada is very talented in Piaffe, Passage & Collection. Queijada is regularly seen on our dressage demonstrations and clinics.

Lusitano

Unico is a kind and calm Lusitano stallion.

Unico is a Lusitano stallion who arrived in the spring of 2012 from Portugal. Unico is a lovely horse with a kind and calm temperament.

Unico is trained in Piaffe, Passage, Flying changes and all lateral work and very giving to his riders. He has recently been ridden by our Chief Rider Joao Cavaco at Clinics with Arthur Kottas.

Unico is one of the 6 Lusitano’s at Contessa. Unico is particularly talented in collection work.

Dutch Warmblood

GiGi is great for Advanced Dressage.

Well known as ‘Jordan’s Glamour Girl’, she is affectionately known as “GiGi” at Contessa. She works at Grand Prix level with lovely comfortable paces and a particularly good canter. She is talented in teaching Flying Changes including up to one-time changes.

GiGi is known for her appearance at Horse of the Year Show with Katie Price. She has a very large fan club , especially those who want to progress with Advanced Dressage. Gigi is a Dutch Warmblood.

Dutch Warmblood

Sans Real is an active, responsive ride.

Sans Real, Real to his friends is a KWPN by Wolfgang. Real came to Contessa as a foal with his mother Krystal. He is an active, responsive ride and performs well both in dressage and over fences. More recently Real has been competing in dressage with our RiderJoao, and one of our long standing clients, Lesley. He is establishing his flying changes and can teach you the feel of Piaffe.

Real loves mints and always welcomes the opportunity to show you how gentle he is when being fed treats.

KWPN

Puro is a talented school and vaulting horse.

A KWPN by Purioso, Puro was imported from Holland at nine months old. He is a talented school horse, teaching our more experienced riders about lateral movements and the correct “way of going.” Puro is sensitive and always willing to please his riders.

Puro is also one of our vaulting horses and is wonderful with the young vaulters, he is helping Contessa’s Vaulting team to achieve success and recognition. He has many fans within the centre and loves nothing more than going in the field with his best friend Real.

Thoroughbred

A gentle natured, quick thinker.

Ted is a gentle natured quick thinking horse who loves to jump but is also athletic and enjoys forward thinking work. He is an ex-racehorse who has also evented.

Ted is a favourite of both staff and clients seeking to gain more experience with feel. He is very good in teaching the rider the sensitivity of the aiding and the beginning of lateral work. Ted also enjoys taking part in Contessa’s many events and clinics.

Throughbred

A great horse to improve your riding on.

Axel came to Contessa with a background in both dressage and jumping. He is a Thoroughbred with three good paces. He has quickly become a favorite amongst our staff and is currently helping many riders in the transition from cob-type school horses to more sensitive, educated school horses.

Many of our riders find him to be a fabulous ride, and help them progress through the levels to establish a better contact and feel.

Irish Draught

Walter is privately owned by Jeff. Despite his size Walter is a very light and sensitive horse.

He is an ideal horse for an advancing rider who wishes to learn how to ride correctly. Before coming to Contessa Walter was a hunter and is currently getting used to his new role.

Jeff’s plans for Walter include competing him.

Cob

Is a very pretty and sensitive mare.

Suzy is a sweet natured bay cob, who is a firm favourite with both adults and children. She has a very smooth canter and loves taking part in Pony Club activities. Suzy is also talented at lunge lessons with her 3 smooth gaits enabling people to work on their positions.

Cob

Calm, reliable and a great ride.

Since her arrival in 2012 Rosie has built up a considerable fan club amongst our young and adult riders. She is calm and reliable, helping riders find their balance and confidence. Rosie can also do lateral work and offers an interesting ride to more experienced riders.

Rosie is also an incredibly honest jumper and really comes to life over fences. She is also now turning her hoof to vaulting.

Welsh

A well schooled advanced pony.

Solo is one of the more advanced ponies who is very well schooled enabling us to teach children more about lateral work. He is a strawberry roan though we often call him ‘pink’. Solo has been at Contessa for many years.

Arab X Welsh

Popular amongst both children and adults, he loves all types of work.

Moonie is a 13.2hh Arab X Welsh and is a long standing member of Contessa. He has taught many to ride. He loves all types of work, but is particularly talented at jumping. He is the perfect size to be ridden by both children and adults; this enables us to use him for more advanced work, whilst keeping a steady approach of teaching.

Toby

Sweet natured gelding who loves jumping and Dressage.

Toby is a sweet natured 13.3hh caremello gelding. Since joining Contessa he has showed a great ability towards all aspects of the sport. He loves nothing more than going over jumps and going out in the field. Toby is also very willing to participate in Dressage, being able to do basic lateral movements. He has also competed as part of the Contessa Dressage Team.

Lesson type	Single lesson	11 vouchers
Buy 10 vouchers and get the 11th free
Private three quarter hour:	N/A	N/A
Private three quarter hour (O/H):	N/A	N/A
Semi-Private one hour:	N/A	N/A
Group one hour:	N/A	N/A

Dressage Schoolmasters (Weekends)

Lesson type	Single lesson	11 vouchers
Buy 10 vouchers and get the 11th free
Private three quarter hour:	N/A	N/A

Dressage Schoolmasters (Weekdays)

Lesson type	Single lesson	11 vouchers
Buy 10 vouchers and get the 11th free
Private three quarter hour:	N/A	N/A
Semi-Private one hour:	N/A	N/A

Weekend Lessons

Lesson type	Single lesson	11 vouchers
Buy 10 vouchers and get the 11th free
Private three quarter hour:	N/A	N/A
Private three quarter hour (O/H):	N/A	N/A
Semi-Private one hour:	N/A	N/A
Group one hour:	N/A	N/A

Advanced Instructor (Weekdays)

Lesson type	Single lesson	11 vouchers
Buy 10 vouchers and get the 11th free
Private three quarter hour:	N/A	N/A
Semi-Private one hour:	N/A	N/A
Group one hour:	N/A	N/A

BHSAI/ABRS ITA/Senior Staff (Weekdays)

Lesson type	Single lesson	11 vouchers
Buy 10 vouchers and get the 11th free
Private three quarter hour:	N/A	N/A
Semi-Private one hour:	N/A	N/A
Group one hour:	N/A	N/A

Junior instructor (Weekdays)

Lesson type	Single lesson	11 vouchers
Buy 10 vouchers and get the 11th free
Private half hour:	N/A	N/A
Private three quarter hour:	N/A	N/A
Semi-Private one hour:	N/A	N/A
Group one hour:	N/A	N/A

Weekday BHS exam training sessions & log book assessments

Please call the office for details

Adult & Teen Riders

Private, semi-private and group lessons

Times by arrangement

Monday – Jump Club (Novice)

5:15 - 6:15 pm, Monday - Jump Club (Novice), £38

Monday – Jump Club (Intermediate)

6:15 - 7:15 pm, Monday - Jump Club (Intermediate), £40

Tuesday – Balance and Coordination

7:00 - 8:00pm, Wanda Bendisch, £40

Thursday – Dressage, Tea & Cake Club

7:00 - 8:30pm, Nicola Swain, £40

Tina Layton-Elliott

BHSI, Reg. UKCC III Coach Educator, NVQ A1 Assessor

Nicola Swain

BHSAI

Wanda Bendisch

ABRS TC, UKCC II, Marketing Manager

John Bowen, Dressage

BE and BD accredited international trainer

John Adams, Show Jumping

Blossom Salmon

Queijada

Lusitano

Unico

Lusitano

GiGi

Dutch Warmblood

Real

Dutch Warmblood

Puro

KWPN

Ted

Thoroughbred

Axel

Throughbred

Walter

Irish Draught

Suzy

Cob

Rosie

Cob

Solo

Welsh

Moonie

Arab X Welsh

Toby

Tina Layton

Dressage Schoolmasters (Weekends)

Dressage Schoolmasters (Weekdays)

Weekend Lessons

Advanced Instructor (Weekdays)

BHSAI/ABRS ITA/Senior Staff (Weekdays)

Junior instructor (Weekdays)

Weekday BHS exam training sessions & log book assessments

Send an email