FORTY-FIVE years ago a small riding school opened on a Dobcross farm as a 13-year-old entrepreneur gave 20p rides to her friends.
Husteads Riding School has flourished over almost half a century thanks to the hard work and devotion of Judith Liversidge and is as popular and successful as ever today.
Judith, 58, said: “I am very proud to have been open this long, especially as I started as a school girl. It has not been easy but I have kept it going through many adversities.
“It’s a lot of work, seven days a week, and it was particularly bad over the winter, as it was for all farmers – but I love it and wouldn’t do anything else as I love horses and the farm.”
On 10 February 2011, a devastating fire destroyed the riding school and threatened it with closure but Judith fought hard to rebuild her legacy, and now has 17 horses and a donkey.
Then in October last year Judith’s husband Nick, who worked the farm and helped with the riding school, died and Judith decided to battle on alone.
“Working with horses runs in the family as my father was a horse dealer and horse carriage restorer,” explained Judith, who was born on the farm.
“His passion was the farm and the horses and I have got that as well so I am carrying it on for him, and Nick, as that is what they would want.”
The riding school offers quality riding instruction, jumping lessons, day courses, party rides, trekking and hacking, as well as shows once a year for children aged four and older.
Judith is surrounded by a host of volunteers and loyal friends of Husteads who help around the farm and stables as she keeps things running smoothly.
“I am particularly grateful to Julian Taylor, his wife Christine and their son Reuben, who were very good to me when I lost my husband,” said Judith.
“Julian works the tractor here and on my land at Church Road, and we share two cattle called Horse and Radish.
“He’s got Reuben involved in farming and it is wonderful to see the next generation keen to continue our way of life.”
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