ABOUT US
Welcome to Grovely Riding Centre which is a British Horse Society approved riding centre located in Wilton near Salisbury.
Here we give lessons to clients of all different standards from absolute beginners to aspiring competition riders.
Our team of fantastic horses and ponies are carefully selected and we match them to your ability.
We offer class, private and semi-private lessons as well as escorted rides through the beautiful Grovely Woods and over the fantastic downloads surrounding our centre. Grovely is very fortunate to enjoy good access to an extensive network of bridleways.
Our enthusiast friendly staff are all BHS qualified and are dedicated to providing you with the best service possible.
Here we give lessons to clients of all different standards from absolute beginners to aspiring competition riders.
Our team of fantastic horses and ponies are carefully selected and we match them to your ability.
We offer class, private and semi-private lessons as well as escorted rides through the beautiful Grovely Woods and over the fantastic downloads surrounding our centre. Grovely is very fortunate to enjoy good access to an extensive network of bridleways.
Our enthusiast friendly staff are all BHS qualified and are dedicated to providing you with the best service possible.
Our history
Grovely Riding Centre was founded after the Second World War by Nobby Clarke, a military man who had a wealth of knowledge from his time in the army caring for horses.
Mick Clarke, his daughter, continued the business until 1975 when Sue and Ger bought Grovely and developed it into the riding centre we know today.
It was at this riding centre that both Sue and Ger developed their love of horses from a young age and although successful in their chosen careers decided to pursue a future in the equestrian world.
This rich history is very much part of Grovely who prides itself on caring for individuals both human and equine. Grovely welcomes everyone through its gates and hopes to encourage all levels of riding from the tiny beginner to the ambitious show jumper!
Mick Clarke, his daughter, continued the business until 1975 when Sue and Ger bought Grovely and developed it into the riding centre we know today.
It was at this riding centre that both Sue and Ger developed their love of horses from a young age and although successful in their chosen careers decided to pursue a future in the equestrian world.
This rich history is very much part of Grovely who prides itself on caring for individuals both human and equine. Grovely welcomes everyone through its gates and hopes to encourage all levels of riding from the tiny beginner to the ambitious show jumper!
Our Staff
"Over 40 years of teaching people to ride"
Grovely can offer tuition to develop your riding in so many different ways. Our highly qualified team have both competition and industry experience who will encourage positive and progressive learning from the absolute beginner to those with a lifetime of experience. With a wide range of horses and ponies we have something to suit everyone.
We take an absolute pride in watching our riders develop skill courage and confidence when riding at Grovely.
We take an absolute pride in watching our riders develop skill courage and confidence when riding at Grovely.
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Gerry Dunne
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Sue Curtis
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Ger’s passion for horses is just as strong today as when she learnt to ride at Grovely as a child. After being an English teacher she then took over Grovely with Sue in 1975. During her time as co-owner of Grovely she has proved how to run a successful business and educating people in riding and horses is high on her list. Between running Grovely and competing herself, she went to Somalia as an aid worker for a few months.
Ger has produced many horses for show jumping over the years including ‘The Otter’ who she had many wins on. She now works with Dan training his young horses for the competition world and has an excellent eye for horses not only with his show jumpers but Ger has sourced all Grovely’s fantastic horses for the Riding School. |
Sue also learnt to ride at Grovely as a child. She played Lacrosse for Great Britain, touring America before becoming a P.E. teacher in London, then taking over Grovely with Ger in 1975. Sue followed through her love of sport and competitiveness, taking part in many cross country events with much success on her horse Kestrel.
She has taught many people to ride over the years, and still passes her knowledge of teaching and horses on to staff and clients at Grovely. Sue with co-owner Ger runs a very successful business and maintains high standards at Grovely and is head of the reception team. |
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Sam Stockley
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Cam Christie
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Sam is Head Girl at Grovely and has been here for over 25 years! She has competed many of her own, and Grovely’s horses in cross country and showjumping. Sam competed her own horse Isco at Badminton Grass Roots, and is competing her other horse Indeed at 1.20m level showjumping!
One of Sam’s highlights has been competing her own Finnigan’s Rainbow at Horse of The Year Show in the British Novice final. She is responsible for all Dan’s show jumpers from lead rein jumping on Tom, to HOYS on Wylye Cruise! Sam is an extremely popular teacher at Grovely not only with young children to adults, but preparing people on their own horses for showjumping competitions. Sam holds her NVQ level 3 and BHSAI. Sam has also trained many students for BHS exams at Grovely. Sam was winning instructor in the under 13yrs BHS Equitation Competition 2012. |
Cam was taught to ride at Grovely aged 7, by Sam! His dedication to the school horses led him to completing his Apprenticeship after leaving school. One of Cam's highlights was showjumping his own horse Kannundrum at the Royal Windsor horse show, where he came 2nd in the Instructors' Challenge. Cam holds his BHSII and NVQ level 3. He trains students at Grovely for BHS exams. Cam is a popular teacher with tiny tots, children and adults, teaching dressage and jumping.
Cam also runs the BHS Ride Safe courses here at Grovely. Cam is responsible for the school horses and full liveries at Grovely, and has now taken up competing with his children in showing classes and fun shows on Bumble. |
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Danny Dunne
Dan started his show jumping career in lead rein jumping on Tom!
He has jumped on the England team as a junior rider on numerous occasions, also competing in France on his 148cm pony Quayside Caution. Dan has followed his mums passion for horses, producing many horses for the show jumping world including coming 2nd with Wylye Cruise at HOYS in the Grade C class. Dan competes his young horses at county shows as well as abroad. Gaining valuable experience taking them to Spain, on the Sunshine Tour and Belgium, on the Z Tour. Dan has an exceptional knowledge of breeding, and is building up a string of young horses he has bred for the competition world and running his own successful business Dunne Sport Horses. |
Libby Shorney
Libby learnt to ride at Grovely as a child then was fortunate enough to have her own ponies at home. She has competed unaffiliated with her own horse Bailey. Libby is now working at Grovely with both the riding school horses and the full liveries. She has passed her BHS stage 2 and is keen to train for more.
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Penny King
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Mirabel Green
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Pen has been part of team Grovely for many years. She is an Equine Sports Massage Therapist and has worked on many of Grovely's horses. Pen assists Sue in catering for own a horse days and weeks and is always a warm and welcoming face on the reception desk. Many students at Grovely have benefitted from Pen's depth of knowledge on horse anatomy and this has played a big part in their passing of exams.
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Mirabel has worked her way up through being a helper at Grovely and riding every Saturday to now being one of Grovely's instructors and competing at the British Horse Society National Riding School Championships on several occasions! She holds her BHS Stage 2 Teach, working with the younger children learning to ride and jump and regularly taking many clients out into the fantastic Grovely woods. Mirabel competes Alice at British Show Jumping competitions. She works with Sam looking after Dan's horses.
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Jamie Painter
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Chloe Dunford
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Jamie learnt to ride here at Grovely on Sooty, and then became a helper! He is now completing his level 2 apprenticeship with us, and regularly grooms at shows with Dan and Ger. He is a super member of our team and is keen to pursue a career as a farrier. Jamie holds his BHS bronze and silver challenge award certificates and is booked in for his BHS stage 2 exam.
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Chloe has been with us for 2 years now on her apprenticeship, recently passing her level 2 and now undertaking her level 3 with enthusiasm. She works closely with all the full liveries and is an asset to both us and the livery owners. Chloe keeps her own horses at home and holds her BHS bronze and silver challenge award certificates.
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Chloe Job
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Anthea Douglas
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Chloe started riding here at Grovely, becoming a helper and working with and taking great care of the school horses and ponies. She is currently taking her level 2 apprenticeship with us and plans to continue onto level 3 in the new year. Chloe holds her BHS bronze and silver challenge award certificates and is booked in for her BHS stage 2 exam.
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Anth was a helper at Grovely as a teenager looking after Dylan and Teazle. She took a break from riding after University, and came back to Grovely a few years ago. Anth does the bookings on a Saturday afternoon, and is in charge of the tack on a Monday.
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Susie Quarrie & Lynne Kempen
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Jola Allaway
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Susie and Lynne help with the bookings on a Saturday morning, always offering a friendly face to welcome you. Susie also helps Sue on a Wednesday evening and Lynne helps Sam with the group of Nervous Ladies. Susie shares her own horse Princess Daisy, and Lynne has her Connemara pony Ailbie.
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Jola is our resident gardener at Grovely, she keeps the hanging baskets in check. Jola has her own horse Lady who she competes in eDressage.
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Gary Dunne
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Simon Curtis & Steve Griffin
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Gary is our resident fencing contractor. He is regularly found on his tractor maintaining the fields and paddocks, as Gerry's brother he is more than happy to help with jobs no matter how big or small.
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Simon and Steve are Grovely's farriers, they come every Wednesday to shoe the school horses and liveries. Both of them enjoy their cups of tea and do a brilliant job with both horses and owners.
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We work closely with our farriers Simon Curtis & Steve Griffin,
and Pinkhams Veterinary Practice.
and Pinkhams Veterinary Practice.