Holiday Riding Programmes
Spring 2024
Our holiday courses combine well-school horses, qualified riding instructors, and excellent facilities to create a friendly, professional atmosphere in which riders can develop their equine skills safely and systematically. We are NZPCA accredited and all our coaches have a current first aid certificate.
Riders on their own ponies are welcome too - select "Own horse" during the booking process for a 30% discount.
Once spaces have filled, it is still worth putting yourself on the waitlist as we are often able to offer spaces to waitlisted riders.
3x half-days - Beginner to Novice
9am-12pm Mon to Wed, either 30 Sep to 2 Oct, or 7-9 Oct 2024Three mornings of horse time with a mounted lesson and activities each day, supported by horse care lessons and plenty of hands-on experience. Ideal for beginners (little to no experience) to novice rider (newly started cantering and jumping a little). Join a small group of other horse-mad 5-14yo riders for a fun, safe and social few days of progress.
This course runs regardless of weather - we have tons of options for rainy periods!
One-day Course - Beginners to Novice
9am-4pm Thurs 10 Oct 2024Our ever-popular one-day course designed to develop 5-14yo riders offers a whole day of horsey time for young riders to develop their skills and confidence in riding and caring for their pony. Heavily supervised - lead rein if required.
This course is weather dependent - it will be postponed (if possible) or cancelled if the weather is awful.
Half-day Course - Beginners
1-4pm Tues 8th Oct or 9am-12pm Fri 11 Oct 2024An excellent introduction for beginning riders 5-14yo, our half-day course is a safe and fun introduction to riding and handling ponies. Heavily supervised - lead rein if required.
This course is weather dependent - it will be postponed (if possible) or cancelled if the weather is awful.
Pony Club activities:
These holiday sessions are for Pony Club members only. Interested in joining? See our Pony Club page for more details.
3x half-day Eventing Course
1pm-4pm Mon 30 Sep to Wed 2nd OctA 3 half-day, all-discipline schooling event for riders who would like to gain eventing experience.
Riders MUST be cantering and jumping confidently - enquire with your coach for suitability if you are unsure.
Cross country day is off-site at a local Pony Club. Ground fee and horse and human transport is included. Discount available if you can transport your own horse and/or an additional horse on the Wednesday.
Schedule:
Mon 30 Sep - dressage training and test
Tues 1 Oct - show jumping practice and round
Wed 2 Oct - cross country schooling *off-site*
Red tagged back protector and yellow-tagged helmet required (we can tag these for you if needed).
Ribbon Day
9am-4pm Friday 4 July 2024NB: Remaining school horses are very limited, so bookings have been set to accept/deny so I can ensure that there is a horse available for any further bookings. If you are on your own horse you will definitely be accepted.
Interested in competing but want to know more before you venture out to a show? Come to our in-house ribbon day, held here at EVRS! We will spend the morning learning about and practicing for the different ridden classes before learning how to turn your horse out for a show by hands-on practice. After a lunch break we'll put the finishing touches on before beginning our ribbon day event - judged, with ribbons and a champion sash for the overall winners. All plaiting and grooming supplies provided.
Spring rally
9am-4pm Thurs 10 Oct 2024A whole-club rally with flatwork lessons, games & activities, pole work/jumping and a horse management lesson. Earn another achievement badge and work towards your next exam! We will go ahead with the rally no matter the weather.
Bring a plate of finger food for a shared lunch, plus snacks and water bottle.
Levels guide:
• Beginner - no or minimal experience (maybe some rides on a friend's horse or a couple of lessons)
• Novice - Good control (inc steering) and balance trotting off the lead. May have recently started cantering and jumping but still getting established with these skills. Approx D level for those who are familiar with Pony Club standards.
• Intermediate - Cantering confidently and competently (including good steering and seat at canter), and jumping small courses.
• Advanced - capable of cantering a 20m circle and jump courses up to 50cm with good style and control. Approx D+ level for those who are familiar with Pony Club standards.
Holiday Programme Information
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Cancellations made through Bookeo at least 48 hours in advance of the sessions start time will be credited to your Bookeo account in full. Short-notice cancellations (< 48 hours) or no-shows are charged the full amount, as we usually run waiting lists and need to have time to notify another rider. You can check and cancel your bookings at https://bookeo.com/evrspc/customer (bookmark this page).
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Please arrive and depart no more than 15 minutes before and after your session times; we are not able to supervise children for extended periods.
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Riders should wear comfortable clothing (not restrictive or baggy). If they don’t have jodhpurs (riding pants) then trackpants or leggings are better than jeans.
Long sleeves provide better protection than short sleeves (no singlets or tank tops).
If the weather is at all iffy, pack plenty of layers and a waterproof coat.
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Footwear needs to be solid with a small heel and smooth sole. Sneakers and other completely flat shoes are not suitable; gumboots or work-type boots are okay in the short term. “Jodhpur boots” (riding boots) are the best.
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Every rider must wear a correctly fitted and adjusted riding helmet while riding and handling their horse.
Helmets can be provided.
If you bring your own helmet, it must be a horse riding helmet (bike helmets do not provide sufficient protection) with a three-point harness and an up-to-date safety certification.
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Long hair needs to be tied back, and hair should be away from the rider’s face (especially eyes).
Earrings should be removed (or taped) and left with a parent for safe-keeping.