Traditionally people do not think of Clydesdale horses as being an ideal ridden horse. This could not be further from the truth! 

They have the most fluid paces, they are wonderfully clever horses who thrive on having something to do, and they rise to the challenge that being ridden gives them. Clydesdale horses are highly versatile - as many of the photographs on this page demonstrate.

Having superb temperaments they are wonderful mounts for a variety of proposes and a variety of people. Clearly they are capable of carrying great weights but they can also be safely and enjoyably ridden by both young and old and as you will see from our photographs young ladies find them a great favourite.

Our English cousins ride shire horses to great success and in point of fact the riding of Clydesdales and shires is hugely popular throughout Europe, particularly in Germany and Sweden.

Riding a Clydesdale - What to Wear

We believe that within ridden Clydesdale classes, riders should be dressed appropriately to ride a Scottish native horse because this is what a Clydesdale horse is.

It is our guidance therefore that although there are currently no rules within the Clydesdale Horse Society about appropriate dress codes - our riders conform to the rules for riding NATIVE horses such as Mountain and Moorlands, Highland Ponies and Native horses ridden within Working Hunter classes.

For other NATIVE RIDDEN CLASSES such as Highland Ponies, Riders are requested to wear:-

* A hacking jacket

* Beige, crème or white jodhpurs

* Black long boots or jodhpur boots (for younger riders)

* A shirt and tie or stock shirt and stock

* A navy or black riding hat that conforms to British safety standards

* Gloves should also be worn and a showing cane should be carried

The above list is provided as GUIDANCE ONLY.