Westerlands
EQUESTRIAN
5* LICENCE BY CHICHESTER COUNCIL | BHS & ABRS+ APPROVED | INSURED BY NFU
Westerlands Equestrian
Horse riding is a ‘feel good’ fitness. Horses, and the connection they provide, are magical. The benefits of equestrian activities are not just about exercise - strength, balance, coordination, flexibility - but also extend into mental health.
At Westerlands we provide lots of opportunities to spend time with our horses from riding, to grooming to connecting. Join us.
Please note we are closed on Thursdays so that our horses and staff can rest.
Our Equestrian Activities
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Horse Riding
ALL AGES AND ABILITIES (3+)
Join us on one of our escapes in the beautiful South Downs National Park. Whether you have never sat on a horse before or you are an experienced rider we have the perfect ride for you! Sign up for one of our weekly riding clubs or book a place on one of our special equestrian events. We have something for everyone - all ages and abilities are welcome.
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Education
ALL ABILITIES AGED 5-25
Learning with horses provides a transformative experience for young people. Through hands-on interaction, children build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and other transferrable skills. Personal growth is celebrated in a safe environment with achievement awards recognising effort and progress.
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Children's Activities
CHILDREN AGED 5-15
At Westerlands, children can discover the joy of spending time with ponies in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Through hands-on activities, gentle guidance, and plenty of laughter, they’ll build confidence, learn new skills, create lasting memories and make new friends. Our pony experiences are designed to inspire and delight every child.
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Equine Connection
ADULTS AGED 18+
Horses are deeply intuitive, sensing our emotions and responding with natural empathy. In their calm presence, we are encouraged to slow down, be authentic, and reconnect with ourselves. Time spent with horses is not only peaceful and rewarding, but also profoundly supportive of our mental wellbeing. Come and experience it with our horses for yourself.
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Equine Wellness
HORSE OWNERS
Owning a horse is a rewarding journey, but it also brings responsibility. At Westerlands, we offer personalised guidance from experienced instructors and hands-on demonstrations with our horses, giving every owner the skills and confidence to provide the very best care.
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Our Horses
MEET OUR HORSES
We have 9 horses - 4 mares and 5 geldings. All of them are gentle with their own special character. They love going out on rides around Westerlands Farm and escaping up onto the South Downs. Welcome to our yard…
Elly Middleton
EQUESTRIAN MANAGER
Elly manages Westerlands Equestrian and has over 30 years experience taking care of horses and teaching riders of all ages and abilities. She also specialises in natural complimentary equine therapies.
Elly’s qualifications include:
BHS Accredited Professional Coach
BHS Stage 3 in Complete Horsemanship
Q Equine Behaviourist
Certified Reiki Practioner
Safeguarding Officer
Fully Qualified BHS First Aider.
Westerlands Equestrian
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See what our horses get up to in the fields and at the yard - they are such characters, you can see why we love them! You can also hear what our guests say about their rides with us.
Best of all, you will be the first to hear about any horse riding events we are organising. We look forward to seeing you soon.
A history of horses at Westerlands
The Jamison family have been breeding racehorses at Westerlands since the 1980s, but the stud has been in existence for much longer.
“Lord Woolavington founded it in 1904,” reveals Antonia. “He had a number of studs but this was his favourite because of the soil. The land has a good mixture of chalk, clay and sand so it keeps pretty dry, which is good when the horses are outside in all weathers.
In the 1940s it was taken over by Florence Nagle. She was a formidable woman and in 1966, she became one of the first two women in the UK, licensed to train racehorses in her own name, after overturning a high court ruling.”