Blackdown Hills Riding Club

The club was formed to bridge a gap for seniors and juniors who couldn’t afford to join the Pony Club but wanted to socialize and compete at a basic level. This ethos is important to us as a club and has remained to this day. The club, run by a motivated and friendly committee, endeavours to put on a variety of events for their member’s needs. We encourage everyone to participate both competing and behind the scenes, so increasing confidence and knowledge in the equestrian world. Over the years the club has branched out into larger events through helping to run some of the Area 12 competitions. There has also been a contingent of riders willing to participate at this level and caused great excitement managing over the years to secure places in Championship competitions.

The BHRC has a dedicated dressage to music team, including a musical director, choreographer, costume and technical advisor. They are always on hand to help and encourage anyone that wants to have a go or to compete. The club in the past has won the local X Factor and have been placed several times through the public vote.

It has become an annual event during the summer months, to hold a Dressage League series and when Dressage isn’t on the calendar then also Clear Round and Mini Jumping and a Spring and Autumn Show will be found. At the end of July each year we hold our Summer Camp with 2 days of training, hacks, show jumping and ending with a member’s only dressage competition.Training features high up on the member’s wish list so we arrange training at a variety of locations using qualified trainers. We welcome juniors and have a dedicated section of the committee for them, with a Junior Committee member to represent their ideas and requests. We organise a few events when appropriate during the year specifically for the juniors.

The Club covers a large area geographically, including Taunton, villages in the Blackdown Hills – down to Exeter and as far over as Minehead.  Because of this we try to locate our training sessions and events at a range of locations to try to accommodate as many people as possible.