Welcome to the Bourne Valley Riding Club (BVRC). With nearly 150 members, BVRC is one of the UK’s largest adult-only riding clubs.
Activities are centred around the Andover area of Hampshire but members are spread from the New Forest in the South, Basingstoke in the East, Newbury in the North and Chilmark in the West.
The club organises a full season of competitions and instruction for riders at all experience levels and new members are made very welcome. We cater for non-riders via social events held at a variety of venues in the area predominately during the winter.
If you want any information which you cannot find on the website then please use the contact page to get in touch. We shall be very pleased to hear from you.
Bourne Valley Riding Club was founded in 1966, and received affiliation to the British Horse Society (BHS) in 1967. As such it is a member of British Ridings Clubs (BRC).
Originally based around the Andover (Hampshire) area, its name was taken from the Bourne river running through Hurstbourne and St Mary Bourne. As membership expanded, the club encompassed the second Bourne river running through the villages of Collingbourne Ducis, Tidworth, Cholderton and on to Salisbury. Latterly club membership covers Salisbury, Winterslow, Wallop, Andover, Whitchurch, Newbury, Hungerford, Tidworth, Durrington, Larkhill, Shrewton and all places between.
Competitions
The club runs competitions in every discipline throughout the year:
| Winter Dressage | February/March |
| Winter Show Jumping | February/March |
| Novice Show | April |
| Dressage | April |
| Combined Training with separate Dressage and Show Jumping | May/June |
| Horse Trials | May/June |
| Dressage | July |
| Novice Show | September |
| Dressage and Show Jumping | September |
| Hunter Trial | October/November |
Dressage Competitions include tests from Intro to Medium.
Jumping heights range from 70cm to 1m with Clear Round jumping starting at 60cm.
Competition venues are located at Larkhill, Andover, Amport, Redenham and Tidworth.
Reduced entry fees are given to club members.
A rosette, and trophy for some classes, is presented to the best BVRC member in each class.
Competition points are given to the six highest placed members in each class.
Points are accrued at all competitions and the overall winner receives the Be Fair Cup.
Helpers at competitions also receive points and compete for the Caballine Trophy.
Clinics/Instruction
Clinics, in all disciplines, are organised every two to three weeks throughout the year.
Sessions are between 1 and 2 hours with groups of up to 4-6 riders. Venues vary within our area and costs are set according to the instructor & venue but are normally £20-£30 per session (1 hour).
Regular instructors include Robert Pickles FBHS, Elizabeth Peerless, Antoinette McKeowen, Jo Roberts and Hector Payne.
Details of disciplines, venues & costs are emailed to members regularly & listed on the BVRC website www.bvrc.co.uk/members/instruction/.
Team Competitions
As a member of BRC, we are grouped with other Riding Clubs in an area (Area 17), which covers the Central South of England. This includes clubs from the Isle of Wight, Petersfield, Blandford & Purbeck & Poole. Each year, inter club competitions are held in all disciplines, with winning teams & individuals going forward to BRC National Championships. Championship venues include Arena UK (Grantham, Lincs), Bury Farm (Slapton, Bucks), Aston-le-Walls (Banbury), Swalciffe (Banbury) and Lincoln.
The BVRC are represented at as many area competitions as possible. Teams are selected from all club members wishing to take part, although priority is given to those attending club competitions.
Residential Camp
Each year we hold a four day residential camp at Stockland Lovell Manor Equestrian Centre, Bridgwater, Somerset. This is a week of equestrian activity for club members with on-site instruction in all disciplines.
Accommodation consists of furnished heated portacabins, shower block, loos, dining room, and a lounge area is available for use. Full catering is provided and includes English breakfast, cold lunch, afternoon cakes and 2 course evening meal. Stabling is provided in an American style barn with hay/haylage and shavings included. Six sessions of riding take advantage of the wonderful facilities at Stockland Lovell, which include an extensive cross country course with, in excess of 100 fences from 45cm to 1.15cm, two all weather arenas (one for flatwork and one with show jumps) & marked routes for hacking on the farm.
Camp has proved extremely popular with 20-30 members attending, each year.
Non-Competitive Riding Events
Each year we hold a number of rides for members and their friends. As our area encompasses part of Salisbury Plain and the New Forest, we try let members experience the beauty and vastness of the area.
Social Events
Social events mainly take place on dark winter evenings; some are educational & some just plain fun.
Events have included Christmas supper, annual quiz and talks by equine nutritionists, homeopaths, vets, farriers, dentists, saddlers and dressage to music specialists. Our socials are normally held in the Andover or Amesbury area.
Hunting
BVRC does NOT have a subscription with RA Hunt for season 2023/2024
BVRC has a special subscription to the Royal Artillery Hunt – which operates as a drag pack. The subscription enables members to hunt up to 4 times during the season at a greatly reduced cap.