Holiday Riding Programmes

Summer 2024/2025

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.

Pre-Christmas Equestrian Day Camp

9am-12pm Mon to Wed, starting 6, 13 or 20 January 2025

A fun, summer-camp style week of horsey activities with a bit of a Christmas theme. This is more recreational than our standard holiday programmes - a chance for riders to unwind and have some fun at the end of a busy year. We ride morning and afternoon (weather permitting), spend time looking after the horses, and do horsey activities and crafts.

For riders 8+ years who can trot well off the lead (good control and balance) through to those cantering and jumping; groups will be divided by ability where required.

This course runs regardless of weather - we have tons of options for rainy periods!

3x half-days: Beginner to Novice

9am-12pm Mon to Wed, starting 6, 13 or 20 January 2025

Three 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!

3x half-days: Intermediate to Advanced

1-4pm Mon to Wed, starting 6 January 2025

An excellent next step for intermediate (well established in canter and jumping small courses) to advanced (working on D+) riders. Three afternoons with a mounted lesson and activities each day, supported by horse care lessons and plenty of hands-on experience. Join a small group of other horse-mad 8-16yo riders for a fun, safe and social few days of horsing.

This course runs regardless of weather - we have tons of options for rainy periods!

One-day Course: Beginners to Intermediate

9am-4pm Thurs 16 or 23 January 2025

Our 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 to Novice

1-4pm Tues 14 January or Tues 21 January 2025

An 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.

Pony Club Camp 2025

Thursday 23  to Saturday 25 January 2025 @ EVRS

Three days of activities and coaching (including off-site excursions), portraits, camp t-shirt, and food. Optional on-site camping (BYO tent) on the Thursday & Friday nights. Minimum age 10 unless by negotiation if rider very confident. $520 on your own horse or $660 on a school horse.

There is a limited number of school horses so book promptly to avoid disappointment.

Summer rally

9am-4pm Friday 17 January 2025

A 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.

Derby Cross training & rounds

9am-12pm Friday 10 January (training) AND 1-4pm Monday 13 January (rounds) 2025

Derby Cross is a combination of cross country and show jumping, all rolled in to one course. Derby Cross is a great learning opportunity for horses and riders looking to gain experience or just have a good time. The course will not be judged or timed. This is a two-session course, with group schooling on the morning of Friday 10 January and individual rounds on the afternoon of Monday 13 January. Booking this event books you for both sessions.

Tagged back protectors and long sleeves required.

Classes:

  • Class 1: X-rails (approx 20-30cm and a shortened course) - best for confident Novice riders

  • Class 2: 40cm - best suited to Intermediate and Advanced riders

  • Class 3: 65cm - best suited to confident C riders and above

Riders must be fully independent to catch/handle/turn out and tack up their horse. They also need to be cantering and jumping confidently (please check, if you're not sure) and be Pony Club members.

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

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.