THEY’VE been in the equestrian business for almost four decades – and have never found time to enjoy a proper holiday.

Not that they’re complaining, for Herbie and Pauline Greener speak with pride about the riding school they first opened at Haydon Bridge in 1979.

But the couple, who moved their Cragside Riding Stables to Low Fogrigg at Bardon Mill in 1998, are now looking to sell up so they can move closer to their family in Cumbria.

“There’s enormous potential at Cragside,” said Herbie. “It’s my baby and I would love to see someone take it onto the next level.

“It’s a real opportunity for someone who wants to work with horses because everything is in place here. It’s a super little business.”

When the Greener’s arrived at the Low Fogrigg site in the late 1990s, they took on 38 acres of land, offering glorious views across the Tyne Valley, and a 19th century farmhouse.

They refurbished the house and created a purpose-built riding school with 12 stables, a tack room, office, and toilet facilities.

The site, which is located just two minutes off the A69 trunk road, also offers staff accommodation, and a large car park for staff, customers and visitors.

Herbie added: “There’s a lot of scope for adding to what is already here. You could even have an indoor riding school, and there are opportunities for diversification.”

The couple have continually evolved the business since they initially opened stables just off Langley Road, at Haydon Bridge. It soon became a pony trekking centre, with Pauline and Herbie taking children and adults on lessons out in the surrounding countryside.

The move to Bardon Mill gave them much more scope, and is now a long-established riding school, welcoming dozens of youngsters each week.

The couple’s daughter, Sally Carlile, has also played a key role in the business, which currently employs two full-time instructors.

Herbie said that he isn’t ready to completely retire just yet. Instead, he and daughter Sally will focus their work on educating people with an interest in equestrian on the merits of horse psychology.

“We’ve worked hard,” said Herbie. “And we’ve absolutely loved it. We’re in no mad rush, but once we find the right buyer, it’s time to move on.

“When you’re committed to developing a business, you put a lot into it, and we haven’t had a proper holiday. The furthest we’ve been is the Lake District.”

The ‘For Sale’ signs may be up at Cragside Riding Stables, but the Greeners are keen to stress that until the property is sold, the riding school is very much open for business.

Pauline said: “We’d love it to continue as a going concern. We have a lot of wonderful customers and the children who visit are desperate to keep it open.

“Hopefully, whoever takes it on gets as much happiness out of it as we have done.

“There’s no doubt that we’ll miss all of our customers, who have been very loyal.

“We’ve enjoyed seeing people learn how to ride here and it’s satisfying to have given them the opportunity.”

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