Club History

The club has been established for over 40 years. It takes pride in its reputation of being friendly and approachable and endeavours to cater for all ages and abilities.

In the 1960s, few horse owners had their own horse transport. When the local riding club moved away from the Beccles area, a small group of enthusiasts formed the Beccles and Bungay Riding Club. This group included Marie Mann, who is still an active member of the club, and Paula Sykes, who sadly passed away in 2017.

The club had no equipment and no funds. However, with fund raising jumble sales and home made jumps the club began to establish small local shows. Originally, the club rented a field in Cucumber Lane, Beccles, then moved to a field in London Road, where small shows were held. Larger events such as the annual Open Show and Hunter Trials were held on Sotterley Estate and Raveningham Estate. The cross-country fences were inventive, created from the natural resources available and nothing like the standard enjoyed by the club today.

BBRC was small with about 25 members, but thanks to the hard work put in by the original members and their successors, the club has continued to grow and in 2009 had 230 members. In 1998, the club had outgrown its premises in London Road and moved to its new premises at Geldeston.

We hold many events throughout the year including dressage, show jumping, hunter trials, a one day event as well as running its annual Open Show.

The club has excellent facilities, including a field for events and training, with a full set of up to date show jumps and working hunter fences. It also has access to a well-built cross country course with permanent fences of 70cm up to 90cm. And is also fortunate to have access, by arrangement, to a large 20m by 60m all weather surface arena.

We are affiliated to the British Riding Club which means members can participate in National competitions in a variety of disciplines. These competitions run qualifying competitions over 23 areas. Successful competitors go through to the Championship finals. The club competes against other affiliated riding clubs in the Area 14 competitions. (Area 14 covers riding clubs from Suffolk, Norfolk and North Essex). Every year the club enjoys success in these competitions with both our junior and senior teams.

The club is keen to encourage all ages and abilities to have fun with their horses and ponies, and to help those wishing to improve their skills to do so.

Throughout the year the club organises training in Dressage, Show jumping, Cross Country, Fun events, Gymkhana for both junior and senior members. In the winter the Annual Prize Giving and AGM takes place, typically early December. And we hold a Club Quiz evening, typically February. The Club endeavours to make all of its events friendly, with the emphasis being on members having fun with their horses and ponies.