Horses

Horses have been featured on the farm since the Wall family moved to Raygill in 1898, breeding Clydesdales for surrounding farms. They were also contracted to the 'Crown Estates' to provide work horses who have served their owners through generations spanning work, war and pleasure.

Today Raygill Riding Centre has a stock of 60 ponies and horses, each with their own unique personality to suit the full spectrum of riding abilities and aspirations. In this section you can meet the ponies and horses.

Equine Excellence

For more than a century, the Wall family has relentlessly pursued the ultimate in equine excellence. Raygill has triumphed in many prestigious championships over the years and are proud to have the privilege to be able to pass their breeding, training and knowledge of the care of horses to others.

Raygill has bred several champion horses. Raygill Heather qualified for and competed in the ridden mountain and moorland championships at Olympia in 1990. Her foal, Raygill John, became BBC TV's Blue Peter pony, known to millions of young viewers as 'Jet' and for being ridden by many disabled children. Blue Peter viewers voted in their thousands to name the pony "Jet". Jet is kept by the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Raygill's famous horse Harry "Primitive Edition" is one of the high quality bred at Raygill and is regarded as one of the best in the country. Harry's Dad was Primitive Rising who attracted many discerning breeders and became a favourite sire in producing high class 3 Day Event horses. In 2000 alone he had 5 qualifiers for the Burghley Young Event Horse Finals.

Horses for Courses

Raygill Riding Centre's large stock of ponies and horses means that whatever your age size or ability there is a perfect mount / ride waiting for you.

Whilst the dales pony is excellent for riding, they have the stamina and determination to keep going over long distances, making them favourites for trekking. As keen and smart jumpers, they compete very successfully in cross-country, performance classes and dressage competitions. The dales pony is very suitable for competent adult and teenage riders.