We have a variety of riding school horses and ponies, catering to all heights, levels of confidence and riding ability. We try to accurately match pupils with a pony or horse who suits them and all of our riding school ponies are used for our holiday programs and lessons.
Archie
Riding school pony
Hi my name is Archie and I am in training to join the riding centre team. I am a clever and intelligent wee guy but am still learning the ropes of what it means to be a team member in the riding centre. Lucky for me I have the awesome staff at WRRC to help me with this! It won’t be long before I’m helping teach clients but until I get to that point don’t be afraid to come and say hello, I’m very friendly and love nothing more than a scratch and a snack!
Charlie
Riding school / Trek pony
Hi my name is Charlie and I am a beautiful light bay gelding. The riding centre has been my home since 2008 and I have made a whole lot of kids happy in my time here. I am a very friendly and reliable pony who loves to dress up! I can jump, go on treks and love to play games. My show name is Silverstream’s Worth the wait. I care a lot about my fellow riding centre ponies and make sure they don’t forget me by calling out when I am on my own.
Freeman
Riding school / Trek pony (RETIRED)
Hello my name is Freeman and I am 30 years young. I have been at WRRC since day one and have lost count of how many children I have taken for their first ever pony rides! In my prime I have been to in hand shows, loved racing the big TB’s and my mates out in the trekking area and spending time in the arena. Now as I’m getting a bit older, I only come out of the paddock for a pony ride on the odd occasion. I will however always come over for a good scratch, a cuddle and a snack!
Higgs
Riding school / Trek pony
Hey my name is Higgs and I am 16 years old. I am a little Welsh pony but what I lack in size I make up for with my big personality! I love all aspects of my job at WRRC whether that be helping teach in lessons or taking children out to see the beautiful Waimakariri River. Although one of my favourite things to do would be jumping, it is so much fun! While I am always super polite with my clients, I can be Mr. Bossy out in the paddock.
Magic
Riding school pony
Hi my name is Magic and I am a 14 years old English Riding Pony. My show name is Silverstream’s Abracadabra. I have been a part of the team at WRRC for a few years and have enjoyed being able to help teach some of our more experienced riders in this time. I am a talented wee jumper and can produce some nice work on the flat too. I also love to have a bit of fun and check out the trails or have a go tack-less.
Chesney
Riding school pony
Hi my name is Chesney and I’m 15 years old. I am a beautiful chestnut, which is why my show name is Ginger Ninja. I have been a part of the riding centre team for several years teaching many children to ride including Caitlyn and Nina, two of our current staff members! My favourite things are snacks and running around the paddock with my mates. And I like to make my mates follow my cheeky moves as much as I can. Working with the coaches is certainly another favourite of mine, especially when I make them proud. I’m known for having more woah than go, making me a good fit for those just beginning their riding journey!
Julius
Riding school / Trek pony
Hello my name is Julius; I am a 14-year-old Arab. I have been a part of the team at WRRC for many years now and have spent time in the arena, trekking area, been to pony club and some competitions in my time here which has been great. I am a very friendly and laid-back gentleman and love spending time with and helping teach all my clients. However, I love spending time with my lovely lessee, Kim the most.
Smartie
Riding school / Trek pony
Hi my name is Smartie and I am a 25-year-old English Riding Pony. My show name is Glencree Smartie Pants. As my name entails, I am very smart! I am the only pony at WRRC that can rub their bridle off with the use of the fence. I am a client favourite at WRRC as I am Mr. Reliable in the arena and out on the trails. There is not much that will throw me of my game. Talking about games, love games!! Gymkhana, Jumping, Horse ball all of it! I do win a lot as well, very competitive I am. I have given many students a good foundation of confidence and skills to continue their riding journey with.
Kura
Riding school horse
Gruber
Riding school / Trek horse
Hello my name is Gruber and I am 10 years old. I am mostly thoroughbred with a bit of Australian stock horse in me. I used to be used for polo, then was trained in dressage and have been a part of the team at WRRC for a couple of years now. I am a big beautiful chestnut with a wonderful and friendly attitude. I enjoy spending time in the arena and out on the trails. I love nothing more than a good scratch and cuddles- something the staff at WRRC have learnt very quickly!
Breeze
Riding school / Trek pony
Hi my name is Breeze and I am 15 years old. I am an Arab Welsh mix. I have been a part of the team at WRRC for many years now and enjoy all aspects of my job whether that is to take clients for their very first lesson or welcome more experienced riders back into the saddle. I enjoy flatwork, jumping and games- I’m a bit of a jack of all trades!
Diesel
Riding school pony
Hey my name is Diesel I’m a 14.3hh 13-year-old English Riding Pony. My show name is Silverstream’s Just Crusing. I have been at WRRC since 2010 and have a full brother Charlie, who lives here as well. Since I was young and began my ridden journey here. I am a very clever boy and have learnt a lot in my time here. I have been out on the show jump and cross-country courses at pony club, been ridden tack-less, taught tricks and more. I am used as a lesson pony for the instructors here as well, I know my dressage well. I think my favourite thing is jumping though, I really love it.
Kasper
Riding school pony
Hello my name is Kasper, I’ve been a member of the Waimak family since I was only a baby (2008) I’m a English Riding Pony. My show name is Silverstream’s Just a Rebel. I have been a regular lesson mount and lease pony since 2009 and enjoy getting lots of cuddles from all my clients. I am regularly told how stunning I am as I am all chestnut with absolutely no white on me! In my time at WRRC I have been lucky enough to go out to Pony club, go out trekking, jumping showing off my “pings” and spend time in the arena- I enjoy being able to do a bit of everything!
Woody
Riding school pony in training
Hi my name is Woody and I am a 5-year-old Welsh Pony and in training to be in the riding centre team. My full name is WoodStock and I’m pretty cute, I have one blue and one brown eye! I am very excited to begin my career at WRRC, I don’t like being left out watching all my mates having all the fun. I can’t wait to be able to join them in the arena with the students soon! For now, though if you come visit, please come say hello I am a very friendly wee man.
Raven
Connie
Riding school / Trek pony
Hi my name is Connie and I am 12 years old. I have been at WRRC since I was young and began my ridden career here. I have a gorgeous chestnut coat and enjoy spending time in the arena and out on the trails so I get to be a riding school pony and trekking pony! I have taught many children to ride and my clients love my laid back and friendly personality. I love saying hello to everyone so please come out and say hi (with a carrot of course)!
Flame
Riding school pony
Hey my name is Flame and I am 12 years old. I have been a part of the team for a few years now and have helped teach both novice and experienced riders. My favourite thing to do would have to be jumping though! I’ve been out to some competitions before and even managed to win a few ribbons, which was awesome. I also like hanging out in the paddock with my friends, especially with Ruby and Harmony.
Harmony
Riding school / Trek horse ( RETIRED)
Hello my name is Harmony and I am a 12-year-old Thoroughbred. I used to be in the racing industry, at that time I was known as La Musique. However, when I arrived at WRRC I began my new career in the riding centre. I predominantly take our adult clients and have given many clients a solid foundation of skills and confidence to continue their riding journey with.
Ruby
Riding school / Trek pony
Hello my name is Ruby and I am 12 years old. My show name is Ruby Tuesday. I began my ridden career at WRRC and have since enjoyed helping teach both novice and experienced riders. I can show off some pretty flash dressage moves in the arena but am as equally awesome and confident out on the trails. I love heading down to the river for a splash! I have also been out to pony club and some dressage days in my time here which has been lots of fun.
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Location
Operating Hours
6.5 days a week every day of the year except Christmas Day
School Holiday Riding Program
Our program is designed to assist children from 8 to 16 years to either learn to ride and care for our equine friends or to continue to improve their current riding skills in a friendly, fun and safe environment. The program has been running every school holidays since July 2008 and has been a great success. Children of all ages and backgrounds have found the program fun, exciting and informative, as they get to learn and practice pony care, riding, games on ponies as well theory appropriate to their level of experience. It runs from 9am to 3.00pm each two weeks of every School Holidays with the exception of the Summer break where it runs for three weeks.
The Annual Mini Show is a great opportunity for Children without ponies to get a taste of what it is like to compete in Equine competitions. Children fortunate enough to have their own mounts are also welcome to come and enjoy a fun low key day which includes games, jumping and show rings. The Mini Show is now a separate event to the Holiday Program being held on the First Sunday after the summer program.
Mini Show 2024: January 28th. Start time 9am sharp. Entry forms available from January 2024 online. The Mini Show is a low key fun day with prize ribbons from 1st to 6th and is open to all comers with their own mounts. WRRC mounts will be available to our Riding School students only.
All riding instructors are adults, with a range of equine and experience including, training, competing and teaching children to ride.
There is also an option of before and after Program care for the convenience of the parents to transport the children whilst still getting to work and home at the right time.
Dates for 2023 are:
April 10th to 14nd and April 17th to 21th
July 3rd to 7th and July 10th to 14nd
September 25th to 29th and October 2nd to 6th
Activities include but are not limited to:
- Gymkhana events (games on horseback e.g: egg and spoon race, barrel races etc)
- Overnight camp out! **
- Pony care (learn to look after your pony and the gear)
- Jumping (from beginner to experienced levels)
- Dressage
- Trail rides
- Prizes (for the daily competitions and most improved rider at the end of each week)
- Supervised swimming in the Waimakariri river with the ponies! **
- Certificates for each child with a photo of you and your pony! ***
- The Annual Mini show and Ribbon day; make sure you and your pony are dressed to impress!
** - January/Summer holiday program only.
*** - Those attending a full week.
Prices:
- $85 per day, per child
OR
- $80 per day, per child, for 5 consecutive days (Full Week $400).
Bookings are essential and available online, pre-payment is required to reserve your child's place in the Program. For more information please contact info@wrrc-ltd.com
What to Bring:
A complete change of clothing (including underwear and socks), a healthy lunch and drink, riding boots or shoes with a small heel (must be closed in shoes), sunscreen and sunglasses for spring and summer and gumboots, warm clothing –jacket, raincoat and gloves for spring, winter and autumn. Swimming gear, including river shoes, togs, sunblock and a towel for the January program.
We Provide:
Morning and afternoon teas.
Riding Helmets
Ponies, tack, grooming equipment and all other necessary equipment
Before and after Program care
And heaps of pony FUN & Education!
Camps
** There is usually one camp over night per week of the Summer Holiday Program (January). You will need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag and pillow as well as personal hygiene stuff (toothbrush etc.) and tent may be required.
Costs are $40.- per person
Only offered in the January program as it is too difficult to predict the weather at other times of year.
Swimming is always supervised by adults and where possible we ask that the children bring river shoes (shoes that they can happily get wet to protect their feet from the stones). Sunblock is also essential.
Our Annual Mini Show will take place on Sunday January 29th. The children get the opportunity to compete in show rings, jumping games and a fancy dress competition. However they can still participate by paying the fees as listed in the Show Schedule which will be available 2 weeks prior to the show and posted on the Website. It is always a fantastic fun day so don't miss out! The Children get to choose what they want to enter with our guidance and of course which pony or ponies they can ride. Because there are a limited amount of ponies some will have different riders in various classes. It is our goal to be as fair as possible to all the children and the ponies. Friends and family are most welcome to come and support - be ware that it is often a warm day so sun hats and sunscreen as well as seating will need to be bought with you. Unfortunately large umbrellas can often upset the horses and ponies unless they are a good distance away.
Our Mini Show is also open to children lucky enough to have their own ponies. A float parking area will be made available with an entrance off Dickeys Road. This is a fun day so bring your smile and have a great time!
To enrol klick here
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