THE beaming faces of the schoolchildren returning from their first ever ride on a pony said it all - despite the rain and biting wind, they'd had the time of their lives.

Some had set off from Kilnsey Trekking Centre, Conistone, looking terrified, but even they were won over and every one of them wanted to do it all over again.

The nine year olds from St Joseph's RC Primary School in Keighley were at the riding and trekking centre as part of a residential trip staying in Halton Gill and, for the vast majority, the pony trekking along the banks of the River Wharfe was the highlight of the two-day stay.

The Country Trust national education charity has been coming to the centre for several years and the partnership has been a very successful one, says manager Lee Holmes.

The children come from inner city towns and for many of them, the trip to the Dales will be their first taste of the country. Many will never have seen a cow before, and it is highly unlikely any of them will ever have sat on a pony.

Some are understandably frightened, some have instant good balance and are happy from the off, but the combination of bombproof ponies, and skilled staff ensures the children all return happy, their first experience on a pony something to treasure.

"The feedback we get from the children is that the pony trekking is by far their favourite part," he says, adding that even in the rain, they still enjoy it.

The Country Trust is just one of the organisations that come to the trekking centre for the pony experience. It also has school parties, scout groups and disabled riders, as part of how a once traditional trekking centre has learnt to embrace change.

Schools and groups can take children to the centre for the pony experience. Each session includes basic instruction in pony care and management - such as grooming and learning how to tack up - before going out on a ride.

The centre has been in the ownership of the Pighills family for 27 years and is now run by Jane Pighills, a joint master of the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt, and BHSAI Michelle Vaughan, with the help of several helpers.

Such trips are part of how the centre has adapted to the changing market, while also providing experienced riders with a chance to enjoy the wonderful riding country Kilnsey has to offer.

The centre also provides lessons in its outdoor school, with a number of young talent - including Katy starting out at Kilnsey under the instruction of Michelle.

Riding schools of 30 years ago were very different, it was possible back then to just turn up, get on a horse and take off without barely proving any real ability to ride. Nowadays, safety regulations are much tighter and it is no longer possible for responsible centre owners to take the word of someone wanting to book a trek that they're an 'experienced rider'.

Expectations have to be managed, says Jane, and if someone rings up asking for them and their partner, 'who hasn't ridden, but has good balance' to be able to go out on an accompanied ride, it's a matter of finding something to suit and leave them happy.

To that end, the centre finds its river rides are very popular with families and children even under six years old, able to enjoy a very scenic route along the banks of the River Wharfe and in the shadow of stunning Kilnsey Crag.

For more experienced riders, it has trekking and hacking rides and for those able to cope with a canter and for the very experienced, there are trail rides, which stretch over two or three days, and run between May and October.

One of the most popular, is the two-day ride taking in Middleham Gallops - a rare chance for the keen rider to enjoy a good canter on proper gallops.

Riders can bring their own horse, or hire one of the centre's, and they stay in a cottage in the village, and groups are restricted to a maximum of four people.

"On the first day, I load the horses into the waggon and take them to the head of Bishopdale, beyond Buckden where we ride over Stake Road before going to West Burton - from that high up, the people and traffic below really do look like ants," says Jane.

"We stop at Thoralby for lunch – usually a takeaway from the village shop, although there is a pub there, before continuing on to the criss-cross farm tracks leading to the gallops at Middleham, usually reaching them late afternoon when the racehorses have finished for the day, allowing us a chance to have a gentle canter. "

Riders stay overnight at a small, family-run yard with a pub just a short walk away.

The next day, the riders re-trace their steps, including being able to have another go on the gallops.

"We can have a good pipe-opener up the gallops, and are often joined by the regular Middleham inhabitants, which is good fun, and even the shaggiest pony can dream of being a racehorse. "

The trail ride includes another gallop along Top Moor, before lunch in Carlton and through Bishopdale back to West Burton, where they are taken back to the centre by waggon.

Other trail rides include Grassington Lead Mines and Hebden Gill, Malhamdale, Gordale Scar and Malham Tarn, and one to Bank Newton and Coniston Cold, skirting Craven Country Ride, includes lunch at the award-winning Angel Inn at Hetton.

For more details about the centre, visit its website kilnseyriding.com