Private Riding Lesson With Fay

On the edge of Sway, England, Coombe Stables at Coombe House offers a focused half-hour with Fay Lai, a rider and trainer who rose to National Grand Prix dressage and competed in eventing through British Eventing Novice. Located on Coombe Lane near Lymington (COOMBE STABLES COOMBE HOUSE, Coombe Ln, Sway, Lymington SO41 6BP, UK), this private riding lesson condenses technical coaching into a tight, confidence-building 30-minute session for anyone aged four and up. The lesson takes place in a working stable environment: you’ll meet the yard, the horse selected for your level, and Fay’s direct, discipline-spanning approach that blends dressage precision with eventing practicality.

Key features of the experience are hands-on coaching, foundation work for position and balance, and exercises chosen to suit beginners through advanced riders. Fay’s record—selected to ride at Grand Prix level for Great Britain—means you are learning from someone who understands both the subtle biomechanics of dressage and the boldness required for cross-country schooling. This is more than a ride; it’s a concise clinic that resets bad habits and sets up a plan for improvement.

Beginners will be assessed and given a tailored progression; experienced riders can refine lateral work, transitions, or jumping basics depending on goals. The stable’s horses are used to mixed-level lessons, and helmets are provided; riders should wear long sleeves and boots rather than trainers. Coombe Stables sits in a landscape good for after-lesson hacks and cool-downs, with access to lanes and open fields typical of the Sway–Lymington area.

Expect to see New Forest ponies and farmland hedgerows on the approach; the local light and low stone walls make for clear sightlines while mounting and walking out. Practical details: book a 30-minute slot, arrive warmed up and ready, and let Fay assess your mounting, stirrup length, and rein contact before you begin. Why book this with Fay? The combination of elite competitive experience and a friendly, corrective teaching style translates to rapid gains in confidence and technique.

For families, the minimum age of four opens the door for early lessons; for adults, the short format fits into travel days without taking a full afternoon. Whether you want a single tune-up or a start to regular coaching, this private lesson at Coombe Stables is a sharp, efficient way to ride with purpose in a classic southern English riding setting. Sessions are scheduled through the stable’s booking system and can fit around local tides and ferry schedules for travellers coming from the Solent; the lesson length makes it easy to pair with a day exploring Lymington or the nearby New Forest.

Expect clear briefings, a calm mounting area, and post-ride feedback focused on follow-up drills you can practice between visits to maintain momentum regularly.