Dudgeley Farm Rider Retreat in the Shropshire hills is a wonderful place to stay with your horse to develop your riding and relax for three nights . Here's what you can expect during your stay:

Luxurious Farmhouse Accommodations: Dudgeley Farm Rider Retreat offers luxurious accommodations in a charming farmhouse setting. You can look forward to comfortable and well-appointed rooms designed to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

The retreat provides the option of comfortable bedrooms, ensuring a good night's sleep during your stay. The tranquillity of the Shropshire hills and the cosy atmosphere of the farmhouse will contribute to a restful experience.

Quality bed linen and towels are provided, which adds an extra layer of comfort to your stay. You can expect clean, crisp sheets and cosy duvets to ensure you have a peaceful night's sleep.

The Shropshire hills offer a serene and picturesque backdrop for your retreat. You can take in the natural beauty of the area, enjoy the fresh air, and unwind in the peaceful surroundings.

There are also miles of off-road riding to explore the countryside on horseback. Dudgeley Farm Rider Retreat is a delightful place to treat yourself to a three-night stay with your horse. Enjoy the luxurious accommodations, comfortable bedrooms, and the beauty of the Shropshire hills during your stay alongside the training with Horsemanship Specialist Sally Brett.

Nearby Church Stretton is a picturesque market town that has been a popular visitor destination since Edwardian times. The town centre is full of traditional shops to tempt you - from tea rooms to a three-storey antiques emporium should you wish to venture out without your horse.

Arrive Friday 10 May after 1 pm to settle in and take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area  on horseback.

Depart Monday 13 May. Rooms to be vacated by 10am. Stables to be cleared by 12 noon. Corrals to be cleared by 1pm

Training

Horsemanship and pole work. There will be 4 group sessions with Sally Brett Horsemanship Specialist. 

Sally specialises in helping you understand about your horse behaviour and psychology. Horsemanship is a foundation education for both horses and their riders which is suitable for every horse and every discipline, it encompasses ground-skills as well as riding. It helps you to learn your horse’s psychology and read them so you can help prevent unwanted behaviours such as nervousness, spooking, rearing and refusing jumps.

Sally has ridden, competed and worked in the equine industry for over 20 years, and specifically as a horsemanship instructor for over 10 years.

Sally has a friendly and encouraging style of teaching and believes in promoting positive habits and skills, both on the ground and in the saddle, to stay safe, increase understanding and communication and reach the goals of the partnership – be that a reliable family pet, a relaxed hacking partner or a competition horse. 

Training focuses on horse behaviour and psychology and helps teach you to be your own puzzle solver to help reduce issues on the ground and under saddle. Sally is dedicated to help horse owners and riders develop their skills and accelerate their horsemanship results while putting the relationship with their horse first.

Sally is particularly understanding and supportive of riders that experience fear and confidence issues, both on the ground and in the saddle.

Sally has trained with many well-regarded horsemanship professionals – Pat Parelli, David Stuart, Buck Brannaman, Martin Black and she was an instructor of the Parelli Programme for over 8 years.

She has also trained directly with Luis Lucio (Olympic dressage coach), Karen Rohlf (Dressage Naturally coach) and Colleen Kelly (Rider Biomechanics).

She enjoys riding and developing her own horses, and has a broad base of equestrian skills and experiences; she has ridden to Medium Level in Affiliated British Dressage, Show jumping, Hunter Trials and Combined Training at Riding Club Level, and Equitation at National level.

During her travels she has also had a taste of Endurance riding – riding on morning exercise with the UAE Endurance team in the Dubai desert and completing 40km across the Sharjah desert.

Sally has a BSc (Hons) in Equine Science and worked as an equine nutritionist for 6 years prior to teaching horsemanship. She has spent over 6 months of personal horsemanship study overseas in the USA and Australia and over 2 years of horsemanship instructor training, qualifying in 2008.

Training sessions will be in the large 60 x 40 outdoor sand arena in small groups (4-6 riders for 60-90 mins)

Food

A professional chef prepares our two-course evening meals served in the farmhouse kitchen which adds a touch of luxury to the experience. There's also a vegan/vegetarian option available, catering to a variety of dietary preferences.

The self-serve continental breakfast offers riders the flexibility to enjoy their morning meal at their own pace and at a time that best suits their schedule. This way, riders can start their day feeling refreshed and nourished, setting the tone for an enjoyable and fulfilling day at Dudgeley Farm Rider Retreat. The option for lunch on a DIY basis provides flexibility, allowing guests to choose their preferred options from nearby local shops. The availability of a large Coop store in Church Stretton is a convenient option for those who prefer to purchase their own lunch items.

The provision of a large fridge and freezer on site for shared use is a thoughtful addition, giving guests the option to store any perishable items they may have brought with them. Overall, it's clear that the retreat aims to provide a comfortable and accommodating dining experience for all guests.

Accommodation

There are a variety of room choices available, including shared twin rooms with en suite options and rooms for sole occupation in the farmhouse. The fact that all the rooms and bathrooms are of a high modern standard is a wonderful bonus for riders seeking comfort and convenience.

Additionally, the option for limited camping in wagons, trailers, or tents, with access to facilities in the farmhouse, provides a flexible and unique experience for those who prefer a more outdoorsy stay.

The cosy lounge with a log burner sounds is the perfect place to unwind in the evenings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for riders to relax with their preferred beverage. This attention to comfort and cosiness really adds to the overall charm of the retreat.

Horse Accommodation

Corralling will be in fenced fields on site. You will be required to bring your own electric fencing to make up corals.

A limited amount of indoor stabling (which include hay and dust free bedding) is available as a supplement.

Confidence or Sports Performance Coaching with Julia McHugh as an optional extra is a wonderful opportunity for riders looking to enhance their riding experience. Working one-on-one with Julia, who uses techniques like Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy, is a powerful way to address any fears or anxieties related to riding. Many attendees have taken advantage of virtual coaching sessions before the retreat, arriving with increased confidence and readiness to enjoy their time at Dudgeley Farm Rider Retreat to the fullest. This additional coaching option truly adds a valuable dimension to the overall experience.

Holistic Therapy treatments (Massage, Facial, Reiki)  with Sucoma can also be booked as an optional extra