A Little Bit oF HISTORY

A little bit of our history...

Caroline and Louise spent their childhood competing in show-jumping all around the country. Being fortunate to have a good range of horses and ponies, enjoyed a great deal of success. Both being fully supported by their parents, Doug and Julie enjoyed wins at The Great Yorkshire Show, Cheshire Show, Royal Lancashire, Windsor and also the Horse of the Year Show.

At the age of 18, this way of life was in their blood and they decided that teaching horse riding was their natural path to follow.

Here’s our journey.

The start.

Caroline at 7 years old. Riding our second pony, Apollo, behind our family home on WhiteKnowle Road, Buxton.

Pic: 1974

More Ponies.

Dad buying our 4th pony, Dinky.

Pic: 1976

International recognition.

Caroline at 14 years old riding Mr. McGoo on the home International Show Jumping Team.

Pic: 1981

More amazing success.

Our mum thrown into the water jump after 12 year old Louise won the National 13.2 Championship riding Stay Cool.

Pic: 1981

More Competing.

15 year old Louise on Moonlight Surprise, competing in Scotland for England’s Pony Home International team.

Pic: 1983

Louise and her Dad.

16 Year old Louise riding ‘Penllan she Welsh’ with her very proud Dad, Doug by her side.

Pic: 1984

The Creation of the Helen Atkin R.D.A. Group.

In 1987, The Helen Atkin – Riding for the disabled group was created by Caroline along with John and Pat Atkin. This was the very first donation. The group has gone from strength to strength providing amazing opportunities to everybody regardless of their disability.

Pic: 1987

More personal success.

19 year old Louise riding Charles Worth, at the Horse of the Year Show in the Young Riders Under 21 Championship

Pic: 1988

Eventing on Home Bred Horses.

21 year old Louise eventing on Just William – our own bred horse.

Pic: 1990

So where from here? - Competing to teaching...

Buxton Riding School was started in 1985 by 18-year-old Caroline, Louise’s elder sister. In those days everything was very modest and lessons were taught with only two small ponies, Lady & Harum. Everything was done from a field situated at the rear of their family home.

Our Family.

The Early Years

Pic: 1989

Modest beginnings.

As word spread, their clientele soon grew. After finding Fern Farm was available to rent, seized the opportunity which enabled Caroline to acquire more horses.

Pic: 1988

Expansion.

Expansion continued week by week and year by year. In 1988, the R.D.A. Group was established providing the equestrian experience to all regardless of disabilities.

Pic: 1993

A change in management...

In 1993, Caroline married and moved to new premises.

It was at this stage that 19-year-old Louise took over the running of the school.

Aerial view.

Very different to how it looks in now!

Pic: 1990

From Renting to Owning.

The business continued to prosper and in 2003, Louise and husband Dave bought Fern Farm, the stables and 98 acres. The foundations of Buxton Riding School were set in stone.

Pic: 2010