Our Horses - Bursted Manor Riding Centre

Horse Directory

We pride ourselves on the quality of our much loved horses and ponies. Our horses have been trained by our chief instructor Becky Tombs. The varied selection of horses makes it possible to cater for beginners to experienced riders of all ages. The most smooth, patient and experienced horses and ponies are ideal for beginners and novice riders, intermediate and advanced riders have a selection of athletic horses with advanced ability. Many of our horses and ponies have been very successful at competition and are now enjoying life working within the riding school

Robbie

Show name: Daddies star.
13.2hh bay gelding.
Breeding: Unknown.

Robbie was bought for the riding school at 4 years old, but was not suitable at that time. He was given to Pam Tombs granddaughter Freya, who trained and competed on him. His competition career was outstanding. When he was outgrown, he was loaned to another little girl who had just as much success and fun. Ultimately he was outgrown again, as always happens to ponies. He came home, had a well-earned rest and became a very popular riding school pony with all those years of experience to help the children who ride at Bursted.

Darien

16.2hh Dark day mare.
Breeding: Belgian warm blood

Darien was imported from Belgium. Not much is known of her previous life, except the last few years before coming to Bursted she had bred foals in Belgium. Her disposition is calm and sweet. Darien is very comfortable and obliging. Jumping is not her forte, but with a rider who gives her confidence she does get into it. Darien is a joy to hack.

Smartie

Show name: So Smart.
15.1hh skewbald cob gelding.
Breeding: Irish X.

Smartie is the trainers hack escort horse. We are very lucky Smartie was given to us by Camilla Neame after he was supreme champion at Horse of the year show. After being at the top, it was decided to retire him to a different life, although he is still quite young. He may become a riding school horse in the future.

Trojan

15.3hh bay gelding
Breeding: Irish cob.

Trojan was Mrs Tombs' horse. Trojan is very well trained and very sensible "One in a million". Mrs Tombs stopped riding him whilst recovering from an operation and he took up a position in the riding school. Trojan is very popular with clients and therefore has remained in the riding school. Many people have asked to buy Trojan, but no price will buy him.

Coriander

16hh dark bay mare.
Breeding: 3/4 T/B 1/4 Irish

Coriander belonged to a client who gave up riding and offered her to the riding school. Coriander is a very pretty horse with a different feel to most of our cobs. Coriander is very reserved, but nicely trained and cooperative, a very comfortable ride. Coriander lives with a small group of mares in the field and is always the popular girl in the field.

Rio

15.1hh black mare.
Breeding: Welsh cob.

Rio has been at the riding school since she was very young. Although quite a joyful ride when young, she is now a school mistress with many years of experience behind her and will give confidence to her riders. Rio is a most gentle and loving mare.

Tilly

15.2hh bay mare.
Breeding: New forest pony X Irish draught.

Tilly came to us at 3 months old with another young foal for company. We therefore know all there is to know about her. Tilly grew up in the fields at Bursted until it was time to start work. Tilly had 1 year of training before she went into the riding school. Tilly is nicely schooled, a comfortable and willing ride, although not a show jumper she loves a small jump. Tilly has to watch her weight so unfortunately cannot go into big fields with her friends.

Dillon

14hh dun gelding.
Breeding: New forest X

Before coming to Bursted, Dillon was nicely schooled on the flat and for jumping so he was used for jumping lessons by Mark Bellinger our show jumping trainer. Dillon is so smooth and a really lovely children’s pony. He is calm, giving confidence to children who ride him.

King

16hh Chestnuts gelding.
Breeding: Irish draught.

King was given to us as a young horse. A lady was looking for a horse and she found King in a very bad way. Although he was too tall and big built for the lady, she bought him anyway. Luckily for us she gave him to the school. He had a trial period because we were unsure if he would be happy doing this work. The trial period was extended as we tried to make our minds up. However, we said yes and have never regretted the decision. He is a very handsome super coloured horse for the larger rider. In his previous life, he had show jumped so he looks after himself and the rider well.

Bubbles

11.3hh grey gelding.
Breeding: Welsh section A.

Bubbles had beautiful dapples just like a rocking horse when he first came to Bursted, hence his show name of, Bursted Bubbling Blue. Time has seen the dapples go and he is just grey now. He had a mighty jump when younger and loved to compete in jumping competitions. As always when ponies get older, they are most valuable for teaching children. Bubbles will give lead and lunge lessons and also group lessons, but he does love a good hack. He lives with his girlfriend Bella. Apart from the fact one is a boy and one is a girl, they look very alike.

Bella

Show name: Tinkerbell
12hh grey mare.
Breeding: Welsh section A.

Bella was bought for Freya, Pam Tombs’ granddaughter when both were 2 years old. Surprisingly Bella produced a foal at 3 years named Peter Pan. After Bella was broken to ride she took part in all competitions and also hunted. Now if Bella hears the hunting horn she remembers what fun it was and gets very excited. Bella became a riding school pony when she was outgrown and has much to offer the children who ride her. Bella is the girlfriend of Bubbles and they live together happily. Both Ponies are very wimpy about rain, even though they were bred to live on a welsh mountain.

Prince

12.2hh bay gelding.
Breeding: Cob X

Prince believes he is a prince and has an air of importance about him with a joyful spring in his step. He is very wiling and loves to jump. Prince and Dillon are best friends, but had to be separated because play became too boisterous. He lives with the big boys and thinks he is one of them.

Guinness

15.1hh black gelding.
Breeding: Irish cob

Guinness has been at Bursted longer than any of the other horses. He came at 3 years old and was bought by a client who kept him at Bursted for 2 years, after which we bought him back. His canter is so comfortable and effortless that you feel you don’t want it to stop. His black coat shines so beautifully in summer he looks stunning.

Strawberry

15.1hh strawberry roan mare.
Breeding: Black Forest Chestnut

Strawberry is a German breed used to pull logs out of the forest. After coming to Bursted, a client fell so in love with her she bought her and kept her at the stables. Strawberry had schooling sessions with Becky and qualified to compete at Hickstead in the dressage. You are tucked nicely behind her big shoulders and neck and her previous training is a great asset for the riding school. Strawberry carries all standards of riders including disabled riders. Strawberry is the only horse at Bursted allowed to maintain a long natural mane.

Boss

14.2hh bay gelding.
Breeding: New Forest.

Boss is another outgrown family pony, this time Jessica’s pony, Pam Tombs’ middle grandchild. We are lucky to have him as he is a quality pony with a big jump. The ride he gives is a step up from the other ponies. He loves beach rides. Boss does not need a friend and is usually seen eating in the field on his own. Due to his gentle nature he keeps the foals company.

Harry

16.2hh bay gelding.
Breeding: ¾ T/B ¼ Irish Draught

Harry started life eventing. He was bought by a client of Bursted and took up a successful affiliated dressage career. Harry stayed on livery and at the sad situation of his owner’s death, he was given to Bursted. Harry’s background gives riders the opportunity to benefit from his experience.

Joe

15.2hh skewbald gelding.
Breeding: Welsh section D X

Joe is a new arrival undergoing training for the riding school, currently ridden by staff and experienced clients. Joe is willing, sensible and seems to have the making of a good riding school horse for the future. A groom’s nightmare as he has too much white resulting in lots of baths.

Layla

Show name: First Light
15.2hh grey mare.
Breeding: Dutch Warm blood

Layla was in the Tombs family as a competition horse before becoming a riding school horse. Currently our top school mistress for the more advanced rider, Layla has proved very versatile.