Welcome ‘neigh-bours’ to Calvert Devon Equestrian Centre
Sophie, Olivia, Megan, and Maggie provide educational riding lessons, arena hire, and horse-based events for the general public while also caring for the wonderful horses, ponies, and donkeys that live on-site.
The Equestrian Centre in North Devon caters to the local community, offering riding lessons and arena hire for people with and without disabilities.
It has on-site stables, an indoor arena with a viewing gallery, and a purpose-built outdoor manège.
Our herd members are specially selected and trained to have the perfect temperament for riders of all types. They range in size from ponies to larger horses. We also have an adapted wheelchair-accessible carriage.
For any questions or enquiries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Equestrian team directly by phone:
WHAT'S ON OFFER
Everyone is welcome, and we specialise in accessible riding lessons.
There is a strong sense of family and unity, and a small team oversees lessons for ongoing familiarity and trust.
Riding lessons and arena hire can be booked online lower down this page, for anything else please phone 01598 763059
Qualifications are:
- BHS stage 4, 3 and 2 coaching
- RDA Driving coaches
- Pony Club coaching
- Approved Professional Coaches membership
- 5* Devon County Council Animal Welfare license
RIDING LESSONS
From newbies to past riders wanting to take the reins once again, arrange a lesson with the accredited stage 2, 3 and 4 riding school coaches.
- 30-minute group lesson/ride: £27 per person
- 30-minute private lesson/ride: £37
- 1-hour group lesson/ride: £37 per person
- 1-hour private lesson/ride: £47
- 30-minute grooming session: £20 per person
ARENA HIRE
There is a 20 x 40m indoor arena for hire in the heart of the North Devon countryside. This is a quiet but practical place to do whatever you wish.
£15 per hour.
Equipment/jumps can be arranged for an additional charge of £5. Please mention your requirements when booking.
You must have your own public liability insurance and should be able to provide the policy number when asked.
PARTY IN THE STABLES
Birthdays, celebrations, Christmas fun; whatever the excuse to throw a party, we’ve got you covered with a venue inside the stables with the horses and ponies right alongside you.
You provide the food, cake and drink (no alcohol, please), and we’ll provide the horses and ponies to ride and groom.
- £35 per person
- Additional use of Discovery Centre to host a more significant event for just £5 extra per person
- A minimum of 4 children
OWN A PONY FOR THE DAY
Give the horsey-mad youngster in your life the opportunity to care for and own a pony for a day!
- Every Saturday
- Full day: 10 am to 4 pm; £85 per child
- Half day 10 am to 1 pm; £50 per child
- For ages 7+
- Two hours of riding tuition, which could involve a hack around Wistlandpound Reservoir, depending on the weather
- Grooming
- Tacking up
- Feeding
- Mucking out and general duties
- Bring a packed lunch and refreshments
- Bring suitable clothing for the weather and riding: trousers/leggings/jodhpurs (must), riding boots/jodhpur boots/wellies (must), jumper/coat suitable for the weather
CLEAR ROUND JUMPING
Join us for a fun, friendly evening of jumping a course of up to 8 fences, including spreads and combinations.
Clear round show jumping events take place on pre-arranged dates, starting from 5 pm.
No maximum or minimum height; your aim is to jump a clear round.
- £6 per round or 3 for £15
- Plenty of space for parking with horse trailers or boxes
- Please ensure you have your own liability insurance
HACKING OUT
Riders and horses love hacking out.
While learners often travel to Wistlandpound Reservoir, more practised riders can go further afield to beautiful places like Arlington Court.
If you’re an experienced rider who can confidently Walk/Trot/Canter out and about in the countryside and on public roads, enjoy the beautiful countryside on our amazing horses with your friends or family.
(Any riders joining us for the first time will be pre-assessed for riding ability in the arena before heading out.)
CHANGING LIVES THROUGH HORSES
We are a British Horse Society (BHS) approved facility (no.1083), with BHS Accredited Professional Coaches (plus the carriage driving instructors are trained to British Driving Society (BDS) standards).
We are also a Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH) centre, and as part of the CLTH programme, we provide sessions to young riders aged 5-25.
Through the BHS-led CLTH programme and their Pony Stars awards, receive riding lessons as well as an ongoing educational programme to develop knowledge and skills, including natural horsemanship, stable management, understanding horse behaviour and working horses, horse riding, and carriage driving.
DONKEY WALKS AND GROOMING
New for 2025 – meet Dolly and Diva
They are available for grooming, walking and socialising sessions.
- £20 for up to 6 people to meet and mingle with the donkeys
Important information
Terms and Conditions for riding and arena hire
You must book and pay a month in advance to guarantee your slot.
A 20% deposit is required upon booking for Clubs and Events arena hire.
Cancellation Fees:
Individuals/Groups…
If cancelled before 5 pm on the day before the booked session – no fee
If cancelled after 5 pm on the day before the booked session – full payment
Clubs and Events…
If cancelled at least 10 days before the booked session – 20% deposit
If cancelled within 10 days of the booked session – full payment
Weight restrictions
Please note there are weight restrictions for guests wishing to participate in riding or carriage driving using Calvert Devon’s horses and ponies.
The restrictions are:
13st 7lb for riding
17st for carriage driving (including wheelchair if needed)
These restrictions are for the ongoing health of the horses and ponies. Please don’t be offended if you are required to be weighed in private; it is never our intention to insult or judge individuals but to put the safety and health of the animals before anything else.
To enquire about anything listed on this page, please phone 01598 763059, or use the system below to book online.
VOLUNTEER in the stables
Would you like to volunteer at the Calvert Devon stables?
We always need help guiding horses and guests around the arena and down to the reservoir, along with yard duty essentials. Sessions usually start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, but you’ll receive regular emails with details on when volunteers are needed.
Don’t hesitate to contact us to ask for a Volunteer Application Form.
Email [email protected] or phone 01598 763221
We welcome applications from people of all abilities, backgrounds and communities. Calvert Devon abides by the Data Protection Act 1998 and operates an Equal Opportunities policy.
Unfortunately, for health and safety reasons, we can only accept volunteers who are 18 and over.