The initial weeks of our first season of over winter operation have been blessed with fabulous weather and day after day of blue skies, making for some spectacular riding days down at Shotover. 

The last month has seen us farewell Aiden off to new adventures in the north island as she follows her new found passion of hunting, as well as welcomed back long time AME coach Cecile de Ruijter.

Cecile has returned back from 4 years of sailing adventures to recommence her position as chief of everything, woohoo! Many of our older riders rode with Cecile when they were just tiny tots, so she has been really enjoying reuniting with some of our original riders, and meeting all our wonderful new faces too. 

We have also enjoyed some impromptu photography sessions with Evan Hill (Evan Hill Creative Works) which have produced some really gorgeous photos of many of our pony club riders, keep your eyes peeled on our social media over the next few weeks for some of our favourite shots!

Our first clinic with Mike Lamb was a great success, with all our riders really enjoying their lessons and looking forward to the next lot (more info below).

We have lots of upcoming events over the next few months, read on for all the info!

WINTER HOLIDAY CAMP

We are going to have a go at running our first winter holiday camp!

Expect to help care for the ponies, have riding lessons, go on trail rides, and play mounted games with friends. Riders working towards their Pony Club certificates will have plenty of opportunities to work towards getting record cards signed off also.

Arrive: 10am at 13 Headley drive, Shotover Country
Pick up: 4pm

WINTER WEATHER – The weather at this time of year can be changeable and hard to predict, we have structured our plans as follows, please ensure you accept these terms below before booking.

In the event of bad weather making it unsafe to operate, your scheduled day will move to the following day. Ensure you are available in case weather does require us to postpone to the next day, as your booking is non refundable.

For example, if it is snowing heavily on the Tuesday, we would reschedule for the Wednesday.

A minimum number of participants is required in order to run each day.

Dates:

• Monday 30th June
• Wednesday 2nd July
• Monday 7th July
• Wednesday 9th July
  
  $150 per day, or $127.50 with your own horse.

G-G GYMNASTICS POLE CLINIC

Join Ann Macdonald for her infamous GG Gymnastics – Poles with a Purpose – pole clinic on the 28th June!

1hr sessions – Max 3 riders per group – $60 to Ann on the day, plus non refundable booking/arena fee

Horses available for hire for additional cost of $50 for riders without their own ponies.

SHOW JUMPING SERIES

– 19th July
– 16th August
– 27th September

12pm onwards. Entries close 72 hours prior. From Poles on the ground and up. Points to be collated over the three events for series winners and prizes. It is not compulsory to attend all events.

In the event of bad weather, these events will be postponed to the Sunday.

Donations of recycled ribbons in good condition gratefully accepted.

Horse hire available for additional $20 per round for riders without their own ponies.

MIKE LAMB CLINIC DATES

More dates available for lessons with Mike Lamb – first saturday of the month!

We are excited to offer regular lessons with Mike Lamb, available for both private and group lessons. Having evented to 4*, Mike is a wealth of knowledge and experience who has recently relocated to the area full time.

​Mike enthusiastically coaches riders of all levels, especially suited to:

• Ponies and riders looking to get the basics correct
• Young horses being taught to jump correctly and confidently
• Riders competing at SJ and/or Eventing
• Hunt riders looking to prep horses for the season and jump safely

Private Lessons: $110
Group: $80

Horse hire available for an additional $50 for riders without their own ponies.

PONY CLUB WINTER WEEKEND OPTIONS

With the hunt season now come to an end, we have decided to open up weekend days for lessons and make the most of the sun earlier in the day. Please get in touch via the form linked below if you would like a weekend spot and we will put together some times/groups to suit. 

Please note that registering your interest does not guarantee you a timeslot, we will aim to suit as many riders as possible – the more options you can give for times available the higher the chance that we can make a space that works for you.

WINTER HORSE MANAGEMENT

Winter is the perfect time to really get into the horse management side of your riders pony club education in preparation for exams. We are looking to get some weekly horse management sessions planned and are seeking registrations for these also. Days and times to be arranged upon receipt of riders availability in order to form the most cohesive groups possible.

Horse management will be $20 (1 hr) for D level riders, and $40 (2hrs) for D+ and C riders – days and times TBC after feedback on what suits for everyone. 

HM sessions will be held at Shotover when weather allows, and at 833 Malaghans Road if weather requires us to be inside. 

MOVIE NIGHT UPDATE

Apologies for the delay on this!  New plan is to hold it at everyones fave Fish and Chip shop on Malaghans, we are just waiting on them to let us know dates for their re opening and then we shall get this rescheduled.