DO I NEED MY OWN HORSE FOR PRIVATE RIDING LESSONS?

No. Private riding lessons can be taken on your own horse and, in some cases, on Natasha’s Spanish Dressage schoolmaster horses if availability allows. Most riders choose to train on their own horse so the lesson supports their everyday riding. Lessons are available across West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire.

ARE RIDING LESSONS SUITABLE IF I AM RETURNING TO RIDING AFTER A BREAK?

Yes. Private riding lessons are suitable for riders returning after a break who want to rebuild confidence and balance. Sessions focus on rider biomechanics, clear aids, and calm communication between horse and rider. Riders across Surrey, Hampshire, and West Sussex often book lessons to regain confidence at their own pace.

WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR FIRST HORSE RIDING LESSON?

A first riding lesson begins with a simple assessment of both rider and horse. This helps identify your starting point and the goals you would like to achieve. The session may include ridden work, groundwork, or in-hand exercises depending on what will benefit the partnership most.

ARE GROUP RIDING LESSONS AVAILABLE?

Most riding lessons are taught as private one-to-one sessions. This allows the training to focus fully on the individual rider and horse. Shared lessons may be possible for riders at the same yard in Surrey, Hampshire, or West Sussex.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO A RIDING LESSON?

Riders should wear suitable riding clothing, including a correctly fitted riding hat and appropriate riding footwear. If the lesson takes place at your own yard, please ensure your horse is ready to ride and your usual tack is available. Natasha can advise before your first lesson if needed.

HOW DO I BOOK A PRIVATE RIDING LESSON?

Riding lessons can be booked by contacting Natasha by email to check availability. New clients should include their location, riding background, and whether they have their own horse. Lessons are available across Surrey, Hampshire, and West Sussex.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE RIDING LESSONS?

The ideal frequency for riding lessons depends on your goals and your horse’s training stage. Some riders book occasional sessions for guidance, while others prefer regular lessons to maintain steady progress. Natasha works with riders across Surrey, Hampshire, and West Sussex to create a schedule that supports consistent development.

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HORSE RIDING LESSONS IN
WEST SUSSEX, SURREY & HAMPSHIRE

Classical Riding Academy is a BHS-accredited riding school offering private horse riding lessons for adults, teenagers, and beginner riders across West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire. Our calm, one-to-one lessons help riders build confidence, improve balance and posture, and develop a better connection with their horse. We welcome adult beginners, nervous riders, and those returning to the saddle.

Natasha Olivant is a fully insured coach licensed by Chichester District Council. With more than twenty years’ experience in classical dressage, rider biomechanics, and equine behaviour, she offers a professional, supportive environment for riders to progress with confidence. You can work with your own horse at home, ride our trained Spanish Schoolmasters in Trotton if you do not have your own horse, or use the Racewood Dressage Simulator for precise biomechanical feedback.

WHERE YOUR HORSE RIDING LESSONS TAKE PLACE

Schoolmaster horse riding lessons are held at our BHS-approved base at Corner Cottage, Trotton, West Sussex (GU31 5EL)
Racewood Dressage Simulator sessions take place at Aylings Garden Centre, Trotton (GU31 5ES).
Private horse riding lessons can be delivered at your yard across West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, including the South Downs and local towns such as Chichester, Petersfield and Guildford.

BOOK A LESSON

CHOOSE YOUR HORSE RIDING LESSON

PRIVATE HORSE RIDING LESSONS AT YOUR YARD

45-minutes with 15-minute post-analysis | £50

Personalised one-to-one horse riding lessons at your location, available across West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire.

Best suited to adult riders, returning riders, and horse owners who want calm, focused private tuition with their own horse at home.

PRIVATE HORSE RIDING LESSONS

SCHOOLMASTER HORSE RIDING LESSONS

45-minutes with 15-minute post-analysis | £95

Private sessions on Natasha’s own classically trained horses, helping you refine your feel, balance, and confidence.

Based in Trotton near Chichester (GU31), these lessons are ideal for adult beginners, riders without their own horse, or those wanting to develop more quickly with a highly trained schoolmaster.

SCHOOLMASTER LESSONS

Rider in classical dressage lesson on schoolmaster horse at Classical Riding Academy

PRIVATE HORSE RIDING LESSONS FOR ADULTS & BEGINNERS

CALM, PRIVATE HORSE RIDING LESSONS DESIGNED AROUND YOU

Riding is more than a skill. It is a quiet dialogue between horse and rider. Founded by Natasha Olivant, Classical Riding Academy delivers calm, private horse riding lessons for adults, beginners, and returning riders, grounded in classical dressage, equine behaviour and rider biomechanics.

These one-to-one sessions are designed for riders who want clarity, connection, and confidence in the saddle, from adult beginners to more experienced riders refining their feel and balance.

Natasha provides private riding lessons at your location across West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, allowing you and your horse to learn in a calm, familiar environment with focused, individual attention.

Every lesson is tailored. There are no group bookings, and each session is shaped around your horse, your goals, and your experience level. Whether you are returning to riding, rebuilding confidence, or refining feel, balance, and straightness, the format gives you time to ask questions, progress steadily, and enjoy the process.

Common lesson focus areas:

- Confidence and balance in the saddle

- Rider position and biomechanics

- Softness, straightness and connection

- Clear communication using behaviour-informed training

- Developing feel, timing and coordination

YOUR FIRST HORSE RIDING LESSON & RIDER ASSESSMENT

All new clients begin with an initial assessment, either mounted or unmounted, which may involve use of a mechanical horse for greater precision. This helps Natasha understand your starting point, especially if you are new to riding, returning after a break, or rebuilding confidence.

This first session allows Natasha to observe you and your horse, understand your aims, and create a clear starting point for progress. The Racewood Dressage Simulator helps develop core stability, balance and clear aids before transferring that learning to a live horse. It also helps identify what will make the biggest difference early on, whether that is confidence, position, balance, straightness, or communication.

Rooted in classical riding and supported by biomechanics, Natasha’s approach looks closely at how horse and human move, respond, and learn together. It is about improving communication, not just technique, refining the seat, improving straightness, and encouraging softness through the rein in a way that supports long-term progress for both horse and rider. You will receive clear explanations and practical steps so you understand what to change, why it matters, and how to maintain it between sessions.

Each lesson is then shaped around what you need most, whether that is rebuilding confidence, improving balance and coordination, or refining feel and timing. Sessions are structured, calm and progressive, with time to ask questions and work at a pace that suits both you and the horse.

HORSE RIDING LESSONS NEAR CHICHESTER, PETERSFIELD & ACROSS WEST SUSSEX

Natasha is a fully insured BHS Accredited Coach and holder of a Chichester District Council Riding School Licence, so she can teach you on your own horse or on her trained Spanish Dressage Schoolmasters near Chichester, depending on your goals and availability.

She provides private riding lessons across West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, including the South Downs and areas such as Chichester, Haslemere, Liss, Petersfield, and Guildford. Travel within a 10-mile radius of Charlton, West Sussex, is included, with a travel fee applying beyond that.

Schoolmaster Lessons take place in Trotton near Petersfield (GU31 5EL).
Racewood Dressage Simulator sessions take place in Trotton (GU31 5ES).
Mobile lessons are commonly booked in Petworth, Midhurst, Chichester, Petersfield, Haslemere, Farnham, and Guildford.

For those who benefit from visual feedback, optional video tracking is available using the Pivo 360 AutoTracker for iPhone users (with advance notice). This tool allows you to review your riding between sessions and see your development more clearly.

If you are ready to start or would like to talk through what is possible, please get in touch.

Every lesson is an opportunity to move with greater ease, build confidence, and strengthen your partnership with your horse.

BOOK A PRIVATE HORSE RIDING LESSON

To enquire about availability or book your first private horse riding lesson, please get in touch via email. Adult beginners, nervous riders, and returning riders are welcome.

BOOK A LESSON

BHS ACCREDITED
RIDING INSTRUCTOR

NATASHA OLIVANT

A highly experienced equestrienne and passionate advocate for Classical Dressage, Natasha Olivant has been inspiring and guiding riders for over 20 years.

Based in the South of England, Natasha travels widely to deliver clinics and demonstrations, offering private and group coaching with a focus on rider confidence, performance and biomechanics. Her sessions are tailored to help riders refine their posture and movements, resulting in tangible improvements to their horse's way of going.

With a deep foundation in equine behaviour and psychology, Natasha addresses a wide range of challenges, fostering a harmonious and trusting partnership between horse and rider. The result is progressive, mindful riders and contented horses, working together to achieve their goals with understanding and respect.

RIDING LESSON TESTIMONIALS

Clients choose Classical Riding Academy for calm one-to-one attention, BHS accreditation, and an evidence-based approach to riding.

We provide a supportive, structured environment for riders to build confidence, refine biomechanics, and develop a harmonious partnership with their horse. Our Google reviews attest to the progress riders make and the welcoming atmosphere.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Natasha travels across West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire, including locations like Chichester, Petersfield, Haslemere, and Guildford. A travel fee applies beyond 10 miles from Charlton, West Sussex. Freelance riding lessons are available across West Sussex, Surrey, and Hampshire. Natasha regularly teaches in areas including Chichester, Haslemere, Liss, Petersfield, and Guildford. Travel within 10 miles of Charlton in West Sussex is included, with a travel fee applying beyond that distance.

SERVICE AREA

Riding lessons across West Sussex, Surrey & Hampshire.

Natasha provides private riding lessons at your yard or location, travelling regularly to areas including Chichester, Petworth, Petersfield, Haslemere, Liss, Guildford and the wider South Downs.

Based in Charlton, West Sussex, she covers locations within a 10-mile radius free of charge. Travel fees apply beyond this boundary.

BOOKING POLICY

Our booking process is bespoke and arranged via email. Lessons are available Monday to Saturday and scheduled around your needs wherever possible.

All new clients begin with an introduction lesson, which includes an initial assessment to help shape a personalised programme for you and your horse.

Hats are not provided.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel within 48 hours or fail to turn up for any reason, your payment will not be refunded.

Lessons and other sessions cancelled with more than 48 hours' notice will be rescheduled to a date within six months of the original appointment.

Riding is an all-weather pursuit and goes ahead even in inclement conditions.

HORSE RIDING LESSONS IN
WEST SUSSEX, SURREY & HAMPSHIRE

WHERE YOUR HORSE RIDING LESSONS TAKE PLACE

CHOOSE YOUR HORSE RIDING LESSON