Bringing horses and people together at the Ceylon Riding Club

A bid to build a community of horse riders and horse-lovers within the Sri Lankan Community, the Ceylon Riding Club has opened its gates to the public for the first time.

According to a statement from the club - the facility has been a life-long ambition of Briton Ineke Pitts. Together with Swasha Malalasekera, the duo have opened the horse riding facility in Kottawa on a three-acre estate.

“We are not so interested in the tourist market”, Ms Pitts explains, “I grew up with horses around me and as a young girl I learned so much from the experience. We want to offer the same opportunity to Sri Lankan children and expat families based here. It is also a very therapeutic activity for more senior people," Ms Pitts is quoted as saying in the statement.

"I took up horse riding again after many years at the age of 50 and I ride my horses regularly to keep my mind and body fit and alert. There is well-documented evidence that contact with horses reduced stress, helps people of all ages with anxiety issues and learning challenges," she adds.

Further the statement claimed that the facility is dedicated to creating a space where people and horses come together for mutual benefit, to learn and have fun. In addition to the usual riding club activities, Ms Pitts will offer packages for corporate clients. As a qualified equine life-coach and leadership trainer with MDF South Asia, she sees great opportunity to combine her passion for horses with her talent for bringing out the best in others. Pitts was also the equestrian consultant to the SLMA in the early days of their establishing a cavalry unit.

The Club has 12 horses including five thoroughbreds, a Sindhi horse and five ponies. Often ponies are overlooked as a potential learning partner. "We are working a lot with the ponies as they are excellent for the children to learn in safety, to have fun and take part in games and competitions," she said.

As it is not easy maintaining horses in Sri Lanka, especially in the tropical climate close to Colombo and with a shortage of equine-trained vets in Sri Lanka and in comparison to the  infrastructure available to neighbouring countries such as India, Pakistan and Nepal still remains non available in Sri Lanka.

In order to maintain the best standards, the Club has partnered with the celebrated Windhorse Riding Stables from Kathmandu and two senior consultants are currently supporting the Club to achieve international-status in both operational and equestrian management.

 Niroj K.C. is the Senior Advisor to the Club and Tek Bandhari is the Resident Instructor.

For more details : Call: 076 4477788 or email :  ceylonridingclub@gmail.com

Siddartha the Movie featured Ineke’s horse Tara