ABOUT US - Old Town Riding School is a friendly, family-run riding school located on Fletcher Way,  on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead Old Town in Hertfordshire.

Originally established in 2000 by Brian Bannard and his daughter Laura King, the riding school first operated from Piccotts End before moving to its current location in 2006 to accommodate its growing needs.

From the beginning, Old Town Riding School has offered pony rides, private lessons, pony parties, pony mornings, and pony days, all of which remain at the heart of what we do today.

In 2010, we began working with local schools to provide lessons for young people with special educational needs (SEN). This later led to the development of our Equine Support Sessions, which combine wellbeing support with horse care and interaction.

In 2022, Laura and her husband, Daniel King, founded Old Town Support Service, an alternative provision based at the riding school. This bespoke support service offers care and guidance to vulnerable and challenging young people and their families, as well as adults with additional needs. We are proud to be an approved provider for both Hertfordshire County Council and Buckinghamshire County Council.

Our mission is to empower individuals through horses, nature, and a supportive environment, helping them build confidence, develop life skills, and feel good about who they are.

In June 2025, Laura completed her Equine Wellbeing training and now offers wellbeing sessions grounded in connection, calm, and emotional safety. Laura is a qualified and accredited Equine Wellbeing Coach, registered with the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) and Institute of Training and Occupational Learning (ITOL). She combines a deep understanding of emotional development with many years of experience working closely with children, young people, and animals, creating a unique and nurturing environment for growth and self-discovery.