FINDING the right riding school either as a beginner or someone wanting to improve their skill in the saddle - can be a tricky business.

So where do you start?

The golden rule is to make sure you select a riding school that belongs to either the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) or the British Horse Society (BHS) - or, better still, both.

Any riding school approved by one or both of these organisations is your guarantee that they meet the high standards required by these two organisations. It means they are inspected every year and so any approval should be current, and both the ABRS and BHS set riding instruction examinations at different levels. This means that even the lowest level of qualified instructor is competent to teach basic riding skills to a beginner or novice.

To obtain details of riding schools in your area, log on to the ABRS website (http://www.abrs-info.org). The ABRS, based in Cornwall, is the only organisation solely representing professional riding school properietors.

The BHS (http://www.bhs.org.uk) is Britain's largest and most influential equestrian charity with 350 affiliated clubs, rescue centres and organisations. It was founded in 1947, when the Institute of the Horse and Pony Club and the National Horse Association of Great Britain were amalgamated.

By its very nature, riding is a risk sport, and you may fall off, be kicked or even bitten by a horse. So it is important that your instructor has had first aid training. Before selecting a riding school, it is worth visiting several to get the "feel" of the yard and watch some lessons being given. Make sure the yard is clean and tidy, that the stables and schooling arena is well maintained and that the horses look contented and cared for.

You will usually be offered the choice of one-to-one lessons with an instructor, group lessons with two or three other people or in a larger group. For a complete novice, it is best to begin by taking one or two private lessons to learn the basics on your own. Most riding schools have outdoor arenas, with all-weather surfacing, for teaching purposes, although some boast covered or indoor facilities. You can find riding schools in most areas of Britain - even the heart of London. The capital’s premier riding school, Hyde Park Stables (http://www.hydeparkstables.com), which is ABRS and BHS approved, offers all-year lessons or recreational riding on five miles of bridleways, including Rotten Row, in London’s Hyde Park. There are also two outdoor riding arenas for lessons and dressage, and, for a fun day out, there is pony riding for youngsters.