Situated in 35 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, and within easy reach of London and Cambridge, Contessa Riding Centre is a training yard specialising in dressage.

Contessa was voted third Best Riding School in Europe 2006 - the highest placed British entry.Contessa is approved by the British Horse Society and the Association of British Riding Schools. Contessa is a BHS 'Where to Train' centre, rated A5 - able to train candidates up to BHSI. It is also currently the only centre in the UK to offer the ABRS Advanced Teaching Diploma.

Proprietor Tina Layton-Elliott BHSI has competed to Grand Prix level, and ridden internationally on her own horses. She has always worked to a classical method of training that she has instilled in all her instructors and students.The philosophy at Contessa is to strive to create harmony between horse and rider, and to work as a partnership with the horse.

Co-proprietor Sheila Layton - Tina's mother - has been an integral part of the running of Contessa since it opened in 1977. She is deeply involved in the ABRS, and was made a fellow of the society in 2006. Sheila manages the administration at Contessa, and handles holiday bookings.

Contessa is able to offer excellent tuition on a variety of well mannered and well schooled horses for riders of all levels, from experienced riders to complete beginners. Contessa is able to offer lessons in dressage and show jumping. For more details on the lessons Contessa offers, please visit the 'Lessons' pages of this website.

Contessa boasts excellent facilities, including a 20m by 40m indoor school with mirrors and a 20m by 60m outdoor school with jump lane. More details on the facilities can be found on the 'Facilities' page.

The events calendar is brimming with activities and courses covering many aspects of riding and horse care. Specialist day courses give riders the chance to learn or improve various aspects of their riding, from how to ride a dressage test, to lateral work or riding in a double bridle. Also on offer are short courses in lunging, in hand work and even side-saddle riding. John Bowen and John Adams visit regularly to give dressage and show jumping clinics, and show jumping day courses and lessons take place regularly.Other popular events include teaching day courses, dressage clinics and regular unaffiliated dressage competitions.There is a busy calendar of events for younger riders too. Contessa is a Pony Club centre which caters for young riders that do not own their own ponies enabling them to benefit from the structured training the Pony Club offers. Pony days run throughout the school holidays, and many other events are open to all young riders.Contessa offers a range of courses for exam students, including exam preparation days, stable management days, and lower leg dissection workshops that have proven invaluable for those wanting to know more about anatomy

For information about training and job opportunities at Contessa click here