Check out our Info Pack for even more handy info!
How do I make a booking?
Use our booking portal https://amequestrian.helloclub.com/ to register as a client and then contact us to get you booked in!
Open the link for the booking portal in your browser, create an account in the name of the rider who will be booked in, and fill in all of the required details.
You can then contact us and we can get you all booked in for either a casual booking, or a reoccurring booking on one of our subscription membership options.
Using the subscription service will give you discounted booking rates and reserve your weekly time slot. Subscriptions auto-bill weekly and remove the need for you to make time to create new bookings or make payments manually.
Subscription classes occur in all weeks of the year with the exception of the timetabled holiday closures which you can find in our Info Pack.
What do we need to wear or bring?
Riders are required to be dressed to ride safely as below. We cannot allow anyone to ride or enter the premises who is not wearing appropriate safety equipment.
Helmets:
- Must be worn by all clients while both riding and in the yard area
- Must be yellow tagged and of current NZPCA safety standards which you can find here. Please note that these have updated recently, ensure that any new helmets you purchase will be of the new safety standard.
Footwear:
- Riding boots must be worn by all persons while riding.
- Sturdy closed toed boots or riding boots must be worn by all persons in the yard area.
- New riders are welcome to borrow helmets and riding boots for their first few sessions. We ask that all gear borrowed is to be returned tidily to the tack shed, clean and ready for the next person to use.
- All regular riders and all persons riding on a subscription membership are required to purchase their own helmet and riding boots.
Required clothing:
- A fitted shirt which covers the shoulders, such as a polo shirt, or long sleeved base layer. For Pony Club riders, an AME uniform polo shirt
- Jodpurs, breeches, or riding tights.
- Long socks
- A fitted warm layer
- A waterproof layer in case of rain
New riders may ride in leggings until they acquire some suitable riding pants.
- For safety reasons we cannot allow anyone to ride in baggy t shirts, hoodies, strappy singlets, or shorts.
Other recommended optional kit:
- Riding gloves
- Chaps or gaiters for your lower leg
We also recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, and sunglasses during the summer months.
What level group is my child for Pony Club?
If your rider is new to the New Zealand Pony Club curriculum, they will start at D level. Riders over the age of 12 who are already cantering and jumping may enter at D+ level. To progress, riders must have a fully signed of “Record of Learning” before they are able to be put forward by their coaches for examination. Upon passing their examination the rider will then go up into the next group to work towards their next certificate. If you’re not sure if your rider has done any exams in the past, Contact Us to discuss.
What time is my child’s Pony Club session?
- D groups session runs 3.30-4.30pm on your designated day
- D+ runs from 4.30-5.30pm, and should arrive at 3.30 to be ready to ride at 4.30
- C runs from 5.30-6.30pm, and should arrive at 4.30 to be ready to ride at 5.30. C riders may also join our big buddy program and assist the junior riders from 3.30pm
- Horsemanship sessions run 3.30-6.30pm on Wednesdays
Can I stay and watch my child’s lesson?
Yes! However, we cannot permit anyone not enrolled in the session to enter the yard or arena area. You are more than welcome to watch from the picnic area. We love having parents there to support, and ask that you provide only positive feed back to your riders – let the coaches do the coaching while you all take on the roll of team cheerleaders.
What if I can’t see/sign up for an event for me/my child?
There a few reasons this may occur:
a) You may not be allocated the correct rider level to be eligible for that event. When you complete your registration, you will be cued to select your level of riding proficiency. D level riders will not be able to sign up for events that have been assigned to D+ or C, and vice versa. Your coach can update your grade as you progress.
b) You may be outside the age group allocated to a particular class. Pony Club classes are dedicated youth sessions, and adults will not be able to sign up for those. If you are trying to book in a child for Pony Club events you will need to create an account in their own name.
I signed up for a subscription, why does it say it ends this week?
Subscriptions pay for one weeks worth of your regular booking, and then auto renew for the next week. Therefore they will always say they end at the end of the week – but never fear, they will renew the next day! Be sure to save your card details (securely held by stripe in HelloClub) to allow the subscription to auto renew.
How do I cancel a subscription booking?
To cancel a subscription booking, you will need to contact one of our staff who can then set your subscription to end in 30 days. 30 days notice is required for cancellation of subscription bookings. Cancelling attendance to a class will not stop your subscription from auto billing you until the end date is reached.
What if I need to book multiple family members in? Can I link our accounts?
Yes, you can! The portal has a function called ‘Circles’ which you can use to link all of your family members together, and give booking permissions to one person eg. Parent or Caregiver.
You will find the ‘Circles’ section on your Profile page inside the portal. Send an invite to each of the accounts you would like to link, the other accounts must then accept the invite to complete the process. You will then be able to make all bookings from one account.
What if I missed my lesson slot this week, will I still be charged?
Yes – Subscription bookings will auto charge weekly from the week you sign up from them. If you have been seriously injured or ill please let us know as soon as possible and we may be able to offer a catch up session at our discretion.
Catch up sessions must be used within 60 days of the original booking.
What if there is bad weather, will my class still run?
Yes! Unless you hear from us otherwise, classes will run as scheduled.
We endeavor to run to schedule rain or shine. In the event that weather conditions make it impossible to ride safely we will advise you of the need to postpone as soon as possible, and will be in touch to reschedule. Pony Club sessions will substitute unmounted lessons for mounted should weather conditions be unsafe to ride.
Can I bring my dog to the farm?
No. Our health and safety plan requires we have a strict NO DOGS policy for lesson and arena hire clients.
Dogs pose a risk to stock, as well as riders safety. As well as to the health and happiness of the dogs who live here. Horses can spook at the presence of strange dogs, and should a dog get loose there is risk of chasing and severe injury to both horse and dog. Our dogs are inclined to jump on the doors of any cars which have barking dogs inside, which may scratch the paint. There is also a risk of heatstroke in dogs left in cars in the summer, for these reasons we ask you please do not bring dogs to farm, not even in the car.