The children benefit from the equestrian department physically, emotionally and socially. The Elms is a registered Pony Club Centre and structured riding lessons are available for all pupils in the Main School. Pupils can bring their own ponies here on full livery, working livery or use one of our ponies for lessons.
The full spectrum of abilities are catered for from complete beginners learning the basic skills to budding young riders who compete at NSEA competitions and everything in between. In addition to lessons in the newly resurfaced outdoor arena, all able pupils can hone their riding skills and improve their confidence in the freedom of hacking around the spectacular Malvern countryside with their peers.

Any pupil who is keen can help to care for the ponies; between lessons the yard is bubbling with school children in wellies, sharing in their passion and learning about all things equine along with the valuable life lessons of responsibility and self-discipline with “pony club” being one of our most popular after school activities. There is a good range of sizes and temperaments / abilities within the horses and ponies here ensuring that all children can enjoy riding and develop their skills during their time here.

Sarah Hance, Equestrian Manager

RIDING COMPETITIONS

• The Elms enters the National Schools Equestrian Association competitions within Herefordshire and we regularly qualify for the regional championships. These competitions happen throughout the year with The Elms attending around 8 per term.
• We also have a Tetrathlon (riding, running, swimming and pistol shooting) team, hosting two events here at The Elms and taking part in others across the local area through the year.
• We host several equine events at school often in half terms including a fantastic one day event.

Former Pupil Achievement

Isabella Rugman (left 2016) – 6th in the Individual Intermediate Eventing at The Pony Club Championships 2018 and has achieved some fantastic results throughout the year in British Eventing

Isabel O’Donnell (left 2017) – great results at British Eventing Novice Level and has started to produce her own FEI pony

Ed Bailey, Noel George and John Smith-Maxwell (left 2011) – leading amateur National Hunt Riders

Charlotte Green (left 2018) – qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show 2018 and successfully  competing at all major shows