Ceylon Riding Club

Ceylon Riding Club A centre for horse riding excellence in the heart of Colombo's Port City Even as a youth Velu Sumana was renowned for his horsemanship. Today we have several.

The Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of ancient Lanka, tells us of the skill of Velu Sumana, the first and foremost warrior of Sri Lanka’s hero king, Dutu Gemunu (161-137 BC). The governor of the province had a beautiful “Sindhu” horse which would let no man ride him. However when he saw Velu Sumana the horse neighed joyfully and the governor asked Velu Sumana to try and ride him. Mounting the horse

, he made him gallop in a circle, so fast that it seemed that there was only one horse in a continuous circle. As the onlookers burst into applause, Velu Sumana took off his mantle, wrapping and unwrapping it as he galloped round and round. The horse was one of the most prized breeds in ancient times, a Sindu, “a horse from the Indus country;” this was Sind in Pakistan. The Mahavamsa also recounts King Dutu Gemunu’s skill as a horseman, even mentioning the name of his horse, the mare Dīghathūnikā. It was this horse which decided the fate of the battle which finally gave Dutu Gemunu victory over his brother, Prince Tissa, later King Saddhatissa (137-119 BC). Near the city of Mahagama, Tissamaharama today, the two armies fought a great battle and the two brothers met each other in single combat. King Dutu Gemunu rode his mare, Prince Tissa rode the royal elephant Kandula. In 326 BC horses had been used against elephants at the Battle of the Hydaspes River where Alexander the Great had defeated the Raja Porus. The battle was fought in the Punjab somewhere in modern Pakistan. It is said that even Alexander’s cavalry had refused to face the elephants but King Dutu Gemunu rode his horse in a circle round and round Kandula. Finding “no unguarded place,” he jumped Dīghathūnikā over the elephant’s back. As the mare leapt over, he shot a dart which wounded Kandula. Enraged, the royal elephant threw Prince Tissa and returned to his master, King Dutu Gemunu. Cavalry is a tradition which Sri Lanka’s kings and warriors have maintained for centuries. In 1559 the Portuguese were defeated at the battle of Battle of Mulleriyawa by a cavalry charge. It was perhaps the last time horses were used in open battle. During the British Raj this tradition become a sport and an industry. Racecourses sprang up all over the country, in Colombo, Galle and Nuwara Eliya and in 1948 shortly after Independence, there was a huge horseracing industry in Sri Lanka. The sport of horseracing and riding continued into the first decades of Independence. Polo was also played and there were fast and furious games on Galleface Green. During the 1960s political attitudes began to change. Horseracing and even horseriding began to be seen as an elite and colonial sport. Horseracing was discouraged and as the sport withered away, the number of horses in Sri Lanka became fewer and fewer. Over the last two decades things have begun to change. The number of horses throughout the country have gradually increased as the art of horseriding has begun to take root once more. Today there are three equestrian centres in the city of Colombo alone. The Lakeside Riding Club is a group of friends and amateurs. Most of us have been riding in Sri Lanka for almost 20 years, in the Fort, by the sea and now by the lakes and wetlands of Kotte. We started with only one horse. We teach, we ride and we are always learning. We are not a professionals but we do our best and we love our horses. We do what we do not for money but to keep our horses, so that we can continue riding.

Today a second lorry was sent to Nuwara Eliya carrying horse feed, essential medications and some items for the comfort ...
17/12/2025

Today a second lorry was sent to Nuwara Eliya carrying horse feed, essential medications and some items for the comfort and welfare of the horse and pony owners impacted by the cyclone.

Thank you for your generosity.

15/12/2025
Our teddies enjoying a well-earned bath and day out in Piliyandala. Tomorrow they will be back to work as emotional supp...
15/12/2025

Our teddies enjoying a well-earned bath and day out in Piliyandala. Tomorrow they will be back to work as emotional support companions for our horses and ponies at Port City stables.

14/12/2025

Did you know that Ceylon Riding Club has a 3.5 acre park venue with horses and ponies. See how beautiful it is for a special occasion. Call us for details today on 077 741 1585


Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Devi Weerappuli, Bhagya Chinthana, Danuka Dharamawansa, R...
10/12/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Devi Weerappuli, Bhagya Chinthana, Danuka Dharamawansa, Romani Randeniya, Tuan Hamzadh, Poornima Dilani, Yùmal Senanayake, Visula Nimmana, Pearl Taniya Doris, Inshaf Ahamed, Iks Chandrasiri, Namila Abeysirigunawardena, Reshan Avishka, Leon Mario, Prasanna Maduranga, Fareek Faiz, Thavaraj Letchuman, Chathura Karunanayaka, Bhanuka Dhananjaya Randeni, Dilip de Silva, Mangalika Fernando, Rockdhanu Dhanu, Charith Madusanka Disanayaka, Daniru Dissanayake, Nilupa Heenkendaarachchi, Deen Fee, Nilmini Dhammika, Shihar Miskin, Dileepa Darshana Suraweera, Shiyam Mo, Janice Nisha Gooneratne, Kavi Kavi, Sarath Desilva, Vihanga Sathsara, Shalika Dilshani, Bindi Crusz, Erandi Karunarathna, සුපර්මෑන් ඩී.සී, Sanju Theekshana, Nadeeka Dilrukshi, Ashan Tenuja, Arshad Nizam, Yuki Ranasinghe, Kavishka Indunil, Nipuna Dulara, Manisha Sewwandi, Poorni Methmal, Sandumini Ekanayake, Nilupa Dissanayaka, Tashake Gunawardana

Update from the SAVE THE PONIES team.
07/12/2025

Update from the SAVE THE PONIES team.

We were so happy to see that the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya is taking good care of the impounded ponies at the municipal faci...
03/12/2025

We were so happy to see that the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya is taking good care of the impounded ponies at the municipal facility. We had heard really bad things on social media and were greatly relieved to see four healthy, happy little ponies in a nicely cleaned compound in front of the Hill Club.

We spoke at length to the keepers who shared photos and information on the twice daily feeds. In our opinion and that of our vet Dr Sumith, the ponies are well-cared for and safe from harm. We will keep in touch and happy to support the mayor in a long term strategy for care of these ponies.

Address

Port City
Colombo

Opening Hours

Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 07:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 07:00 - 17:00
Sunday 07:00 - 17:00

Telephone

94764477788

Website

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