We have been awarded our riding school licence by East Northants Council with a 5* rating. This means that, along with teaching people on their own horses, we can now supply our own highly trained PRE Spanish horses, Iberians and English breeds horses for lessons with Dominic Sewell, Becky Sayward, and our newest riding instructor, Lisa Dixon at New Lodge farm.
All lessons are private or semi private, allowing you the benefit of 1-1 or small group teaching, offering you the chance to learn at your own pace. Come and enjoy the majesty of riding an Iberian horse which promotes a feeling like no other!
All our horses are trained in Classical dressage principles that go back over a thousand years and whatever level of rider you are, from beginner, novice and up to advanced, we have a horse that will help you progress and refine your riding in your chosen modern discipline.
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Prices for 2025-2026
| Type | Time | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | Private | 45 minutes | £60 |
| Adult (16+) | Shared (max. 2) | 45 minutes | £50 per person |
| Child / Junior (up to age 16) | Private | 30 minutes | £35 |
| Adult / Junior | Private schoolmaster | 45 minutes | £75 |
Our Instructors
Dominic Sewell
Head Instructor
Based in Northamptonshire, Dominic keeps a full stable of horses that he trains and schools according to classical methods. Fascinated by knights and war horses at a young age, this led to his interest and experience in classical and historical training. Dominic regularly competes internationally and is currently considered one of the top exponents of the sport.
Dominic, whose interest extends far beyond jousting and mounted combat, is a passionate student of historical haute école horsemanship and is dedicated to the works of historic masters such as Xenophon, Pluvinel, Dom Duarte, Fillis, Grisone, Guérinière, Baucher and Cavendish.
Dominic is also one of very few riders who have the honour of riding in the historic Riding House at Bolsover Castle, the home of William Cavendish. The First Duke of Newcastle and Royal Horse-master, Cavendish is known as the Father of Modern Dressage.
Dominic prides himself on now being able to share a wealth of knowledge on our talented horses, all of which are classically and historically trained. You may have even seen some of our horses on TV!
Becky Sayward
Assistant Instructor
Becky has ridden and owned ponies from an early age and originally had dreams of showing her Connemara ponies at a top level. After enrolling her daughter at Historic Equitation for lessons to improve her technical understanding of riding, Becky very quickly fell in love with Iberian horses. At that time she was working as a self-employed florist and freelance groom. Becky has now been with Historical Equitation for almost four years over which time she has developed a strong passion for classical riding and advanced her own riding and Equitation skills dramatically.
Now in her third year of the rigorous teacher training course of Philippe Karls School of Legerete (“lightness”), Becky is an advocate of French Classical Principals and brings this to her lessons at Historic Equitation, aiming to draw inspiration from historical masters like Xenophon, Baucher, and La Guérinière, while also incorporating modern insights into anatomy, physiology, and ethology. Becky believes that this way of riding can be taught and instilled from the very beginning to even the youngest of students and retrospectively to those who are more established as she has proved herself. Her goal is to help her pupils of all ages and levels develop into competent, compassionate riders with a real understanding of dressage for the horses sake. She is currently working on hosting a French Classical Clinic at the Riding House in Summer 2026.
Lisa Dixon
Assistant Instructor
Lisa brings a wealth of experience having been part of the team at Historic Equitation for many years. Many will recognise her from our events including Jousts, classical riding displays and presentations, and clinics. A full-time horsewoman, Lisa also runs her own very successful business Freelance Equine – Trick Training and Horsemanship specializing in groundwork, trick training, developing confidence for the young horse and obstacle work.