RIDING LESSONS
Sonshine Ranch offers weekly Riding Lessons to children aged eight years of age or over, in a group situation. The lessons are very popular and we have a waiting list of children wishing to start, and for this reason we prefer the children to commit to coming weekly for at least a (school) term of 9-10 weeks. Obviously if there are unforeseen circumstances or illness, the riders are not obligated to continue, but it is not practical to run casual one-off lessons for individuals.
Our riding lessons are suitable for riders with no experience through to riders with considerable experience, depending on availability of spaces in classes. For the novice rider, the emphasis in the first term is to establish balance, confidence and have fun. We spend much time on the basics, and wait until all riders in the class are ready before introducing new challenges such as cantering or learning the jumping position.
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LESSON STRUCTURE
The lessons run for one hour, although we like the riders to arrive at least 15 minutes beforehand in order to prepare their horse, and it may take 10 – 15 minutes after the lesson for the riders to put their gear and horse away. The lessons are run by qualified instructors, and a group consists of a minimum of four and usually a maximum of eight riders of similar ability.
CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Long sleeve tops are preferred and long pants (usually Jodhpurs) however jeans or tracksuit pants are fine to start with. Singlets are not permitted. Suitable footwear is covered shoes with a heel. Riding boots are the preferred shoe and these are available from any Equestrian retailer. However gumboots with a heel are acceptable. Chunky gumboots & shoes will not be approved. Shoes/boots that have some kind of grip on the base are dangerous as they can cause the foot to stay in the stirrup if you fall off. We provide helmets and all the equipment for the horse. If the children have any gear of their own they would like to use, this is acceptable if it meets safety requirements (e.g. helmets).
WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Due to the nature of the riding programmes for lessons and camps and the availability of suitable horses the rider weight limit is 90kg.
Trekking weight limit is 110kg.
DAYS & TIMES
Tuesday 4:30 – 5:30pm
Wednesday 4:30 – 5:30pm
Thursday 4:30 – 5:30pm
Friday 4:30 – 5:30pm
Saturday 8:45 – 9:45am
Saturday 10:15 – 11:15am
COSTS
$45 per lesson – If a 10 week term, the total fee is $450
Sibling discount applies where there is 2 or more from same family.
We require the full term fee to be prepaid at the beginning of each term.
DIRECT CREDIT PAYMENTS
Account Name: Sonshine Ranch
Account Number: 06-0401-0153155-00
(include your child’s full name as reference)
WAITING LIST & APPLICATION FORM
Please complete and submit the following “Riding Lesson Application form.”
Once we have received your completed application, you will be placed on the waiting list and contacted when a space becomes available.