THE owner of a horse riding school in Whiteparish who has taught thousands of people is retiring after 58 years.

Shirley Near has been teaching people to ride at Brympton Riding School in Whiteparish since 1959 and has taken the difficult decision to retire.

Her love of horses started from an early age when she lived in Harnham.

Explaining her reasons for calling it a day, she said: "Probably my age, I'm 82 next year, that has got something to do with it and I am waiting for a new hip. I'm going while the going is good."

Her final day on Thursday (August 31) but Shirley says she is not stepping away completely and will continue to be involved with the livery side of the riding school.

She says she feels sad, adding: "It is something I have done forever and I didn't want to have to stop but with the circumstances the decision was made for me."

"I'm doing it with regret but it is the right decision," said Shirley, who says she will especially miss teaching the children and seeing their progression as well as the general buzz of the riding school.

"I've taught thousands over the years - some have gone on and done really successful things, Championship Pony Club, and some of them have just done it for the fun of it," she said. "I have been teaching the grandchildren of people I taught."

An open yard event is being held on Saturday, September 2 at 2pm for anyone who has ridden at the riding school with Shirley.