Equestrian Venues in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire is competition country, and it shows in the yards you find. This is the Cotswolds, with Gatcombe Park and its horse trials, the Beaufort hunt, and polo at Cirencester Park. Saddl lists 22 venues, 7 BHS-approved. The lower share of accredited schools isn't a weakness; it reflects how many of the county's yards are private competition and livery operations rather than teaching centres. Eventing, dressage and jumping run deep here, and the standard at the top is high. Hacking across the wolds and along the Cotswold escarpment is some of the prettiest in England, on dry limestone going that rides well for much of the year. The Forest of Dean in the west offers more woodland and trail. Prices reflect the address. Beginners have fewer dedicated schools to choose from than in a county like Kent, so it's worth ringing ahead to find one taking new riders. For anyone already competing, or wanting to, the county's depth of expertise and the short hack to top fixtures is the real draw.