Equestrian Sport

At Dean Close there is an exciting opportunity to take part in all equestrian disciplines. 

The equestrian sports are organised and watched over by Mrs Paula Watson, Housemistress of Mead (a girls' day house) at Dean Close, who has experience of being around horses all her life.  She has actively promoted horse riding and polo in schools for 15 years and takes great pleasure in introducing beginners or helping pupils to put together programmes to promote their equestrian talents to achieve their long-term goals.

RIDING LESSONS

Riding lessons for beginner, intermediate or advanced riders are arranged at Huntley Equitation Centre under instruction from British Horse Society qualified teachers.

The facilities include a large 20 x 40 covered school, a 20 x 60 all-weather arena and an outdoor course of BSJA standard show jumps and a cross-country course.  The horses are well-schooled and the Equitation Centre has a friendly atmosphere whilst promoting serious learning.

SHOW JUMPING, CROSS-COUNTRY, EVENTING, DRESSAGE         

Dean Close actively promotes those with their own horses to compete in their chosen disciplines.  Individual training programmes are discussed and entry fees are paid by Dean Close.  The teams have had notable successes but the onus is always on enjoying competing on their horse.

POLO

Polo is an exciting sport enjoyed by boys and girls at Dean Close.  Training begins in the Lent term and takes place at the Longdole Polo Club in Birdlip.  The facilities are excellent with an outdoor arena and splendid grass pitches to train and play on.  The top class HPA Instructors alongside well-trained enthusiastic polo ponies offer tuition at the highest standard.

Teams are regularly entered in the schools' winter and summer polo tournaments and are extremely enthusiastic about their sport.