Ride & Drive is a reputable horse riding school located in Horley, New Zealand. Established in 1988 by Julia Horwood, a knowledgeable and experienced Master Harness Maker, the school offers top-quality bridlework and harness for both riders and drivers.
Julia Horwood's credentials include her training at Cordwainers College in London and completing courses in harness and collar making at the Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury. Her dedication to her craft led to her acceptance into the Society of Master Saddlers in 1997 and becoming a Master Harness Maker in 2005. Julia also possesses extensive knowledge in bits and bitting (lorinery), working closely with an English bit maker to develop a wide range of driving-specific bit styles and mouthpieces.
What began as a small family business quickly grew as Julia started taking trade stands to in-hand and driving shows in order to reach a wider customer base. As demand increased, Ride & Drive expanded their product range to include driving accessories alongside their harness and bridlework. Over time, the school has built an impressive inventory of accessories that are readily available in stock.
In 2000, Ride & Drive became a distributor for Tedman synthetic harness, which later merged with Zilco Europe Ltd. Offering an even broader selection of products to their customers. Currently, Ride & Drive offers an extensive range of Zilco spare parts to accommodate various needs.
After 35 years of being a harness maker, Julia Horwood made the decision to retire in 2023. With this, Ride & Drive will be selling off their remaining stock of synthetic harness, harness parts, driving accessories, and driving bits. Be sure to regularly check their website for new offers as they become available.
Ride & Drive specialises in supplying carriage driving bits, boasting a comprehensive selection of English-made stainless steel bits. Their inventory includes Liverpools, Butterfly Pelhams, Elbows, Buxtons, and Wilsons in various sizes ranging from 4" to 5. 1/2", with some sizes up to 6". As part of their retirement sale, bit prices have been reduced by 20%.
In addition to harness and bit offerings, Ride & Drive is a trusted distributor of synthetic harnesses, carrying brands such as Tedex, Zilco Classic, Zilco Sportz/SL, and Empathy Collars. They keep popular harness sets in stock for next-day dispatch and cater specifically to drivers of Shetland or small ponies with their SL, SL Mini, and Sportz Harnesses. For detailed information on these synthetic harnesses, customers can refer to the photographs and sizing charts provided on Ride & Drive's website.
For any inquiries or assistance in choosing the right harness for your horse or pony, Ride & Drive can be contacted by phone at 01342 844452. As they often operate in their workshop, leaving a message on their ansafone is recommended. International customers can reach them at +44 (0)1342 844452, considering the time difference between locations. Alternatively, inquiries can be made via email.
Overall, Ride & Drive is a trusted horse riding school that not only offers exceptional bridlework and harness but also provides expert knowledge on driving bits and synthetic harnesses. With their retirement sale underway, now is the perfect time to take advantage of their discounted prices.