The Spicelands Riding School in Warwick will close its doors for the last time today after nearly 50 years.

The Warwick Riding School, as it was known when it opened in 1967, has been the starting point for thousands who have gone on to enjoy successful careers as international riders as well as trainers.

But “high operating costs and constant repairs have prevented the business pursuing opportunities to maximise the full potential of the property”, a statement by Spicelands Equestrian Centre said last night.

Liza Outerbridge, the operations manager who took over the riding centre seven years ago, told The Royal Gazette she had reached out to private investors and government bodies for support in the riding programme, but without success.

“With a very heavy heart the plans to close the riding school were shared with parents at the beginning of April,” she said.

“The riders are very upset and the majority have no other opportunity to pursue riding.

“Moving forward, Spicelands Equestrian Centre will provide boarding and leasing opportunities and continue to offer their amazing trail rides around the beautiful South Shore area.”

Ms Outerbridge revealed that the decision two years ago to turn down the Spicelands Riders Association’s application for charitable status had hampered the centre’s ability to attract donations from the corporate world.

“We have had an amazing seven years,” she said.

“We have enjoyed times with schoolchildren who integrated their classroom studies with stable activities, troubled youth who arrived with fears and grew to trust and love the horses, learning life skills they can use to transform their lives.

“There are our ‘barn rats’ who are the children who spend every moment they can helping out at the barn, and let’s not forget our adults, some of whom are returning to riding after a 15-year gap — for them the rewards are being able to de-stress and the physical fitness.

“We have a stable of wonderful horses and ponies who regularly win blue ribbons at the shows, a great show team and a full lesson programme.”

Ms Outerbridge thanked all the local businesses for their support over the years.

She said: “We have had amazing support from some local businesses; Bermuda Custom Mechanical, A1 Fencing, After Hour Plumbing, Sousa Landscaping, Peter Bromby Trucking and the Gino Group.”