The last time I went riding I was eight and as I stood in the courtyard of Wimbledon Common Stables on a sunny summer’s morning, my inexperience was clear for everyone to see. I’d not even touched a horse yet, but my attire spoke volumes. I tried to explain to my instructor, Jenny Rudall, that my long floaty skirt was actually quite practical (and not part of some misguided romantic galloping-across-the-moors Wuthering Heights fantasy), but she good-naturedly insisted on finding me jodhpurs, chaps, boots (to replace my flip flops) and a riding hat – and my legs were extremely grateful for it later.

With the attire complete and appropriate forms filled out, I was introduced to Chloe my horse for the day. To me she looked like a race horse and it was with a certain amount of trepidation that I approached her, but everyone was very reassuring and under their extremely competent guidance, I was helped into the saddle. There followed a much-needed tutorial in every detail of how to control the horse, how to hold the reigns, and where my feet should be. Then, with Rudall on her own mare, we were off to the common.

Tucked away behind the Dog & Fox pub, Wimbledon Common Stables were originally established as the Hilcote Riding School in 1915 and then re-launched in 1980 by Carol Andrews. With Wimbledon Common covering some 1,100 acres and Richmond Park another 2,700 acres, they have a vast area to roam and run on and off-path hacks as far as Ham and Richmond for experienced riders. There are also two all-weather riding schools which have a whole mix of lessons, attracting a range of clientele from young mothers who attend their "Desperate Horse Wives" six-week course (which includes tea and cakes), to options for their more experienced riders including a show jumping course, and for exercise fanatics a Fitness and Fun course.

"We teach you all about the horse, and like people to be able to tack and un-tack. It’s a hands-on stables," Rudall explained. They also run lessons for children, and complete novices. "We like to encourage advanced horse riders at the stables also, because it gives the horses variety," she continued.

All too soon my lesson was drawing to an end and it was time to return. Jenny and I made our way back to the village, where we crossed the road at the specially-raised horse traffic lights, and clip-clopped into the stables. Even here Rudall was a resolute professional, signaling traffic when it needed to stay back, and bringing us up to the Dog & Fox pub carefully. "Sit back in your seat and pull your shoulders back. Show Chloe off!" she said, as cars, and small children watched on. And I did.