Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to be one of the leading riding centres in New Zealand catering for and encouraging riders of all levels, from first timers to those who wish to pursue a competitive career or those who just ride for pleasure. With a strict focus on safety first which goes hand-in-hand with enjoyment of the activity, we want to offer a relaxed and friendly learning environment. This will enable us to maintain and grow a profitable business capable of offering a number of employment opportunities.
To achieve this we are committed to supporting local supplier products where possible (which includes environmentally friendly products that we can reasonably source) as well as extending our social and community relations through regular participation in local community group gatherings, social media presence, and networking with other local tourism operators.
Kathy Dee Korkie
Owner / Business Development Manager
Hi I am Dee, I have loved Horses all my life and started riding when I was 5 years old, I grew up in South Africa and immigrated to New Zealand in 2010. I have been in Business Development management, Sales and marketing for the past 17 years including owning my own businesses overseas . Giving me a wide variety of skills, Aside from my obvious passion for horse’s my other passion is People, Building relationships and developing their skills and confidence. I’m excited to be living my Dream of Working with horses and people and developing some exciting new programs to introduce to the Waimak River Riding Centre alongside my great Business Partner Amelie and our Team of staff. This will include Wellness programs, Mental Health programs, Clinics and many more! My beautiful boy Oliver the Clydesdale will be excited to meet you! So come and meet us and have a beautiful experience that you’ll never forget! So excited to see you soon!
Sacha Beaumont
OM in training / Trekguide
Hiya my name is Sacha! I was born in Russia and moved to New Zealand when I was 6. I found my passion for horses after I sat on a miniature pony at a school fair and then tried to persuade my mother that we could keep him….and he would sleep in my room….under my bed, but to my disappointment she said no..so I decided at the age of 17 that I would work alongside them instead. Ever since then I have expanded my knowledge about the care and safety of horses through studying and working at different Riding schools.
My two dogs and three cats currently have all of my attention, I love food and my sleep ins!
I am super excited to be working at WRRC alongside an awesome team, so don’t be afraid to come say hi! You will usually find me with gumboots on my feet that have shoelaces in them, don’t ask why because they have no purpose they just look cool!
Sophie Parker
Stablehand / trekking
Hello, my name is Sophie and I was born and raised in Canterbury, I have been riding since i was about 6 and first fell in love with horses when I had a pony ride on one of my Aunty’s ponies in Australia. I’m very excited to be a part of the lovely team at WRRC and I’m very happy to be working with horses as that is something i’ve have longed to do for years, I love learning new things and passing them onto others. I currently have one horse who is a lovely ottb with such a kind nature. I would love to get to know clients and share what I know with you. I look forward to meeting you all!
Amelie Wouters-Reek
Owner / Instructor
Hello, my name is Amelie. I was born and raised in the Netherlands where I have lived for most of the last 47 years. I moved to New Zealand with my husband and 12 year old son in 2020. I started horse riding when I was 8 years old and have never stopped. I have done jumping, vaulting, dressage, trail riding, western riding and over the past 7 years I have been involved in carriage driving/marathon competitions. I am certified in natural horsemanship, gymnastic work for dressage horses and am an equine acupressure practitioner. And qualified coach/instructor. I can truly say that horses are my life. What I love most about them is the way they communicate with us and just how very good they are at letting us know what they need from us. Our hores are raised and trained in the most honest and uncomplicated way.
Whilst here, I fell in love with the place, the people and the country and now I’m living the dream of owning a riding centre and sharing my knowledge and experience with not only our horses but also with great New Zealand community. Horses have the ability to touch hearts in many different ways. I would love to share this with you.
I hope to meet you soon!
Amelia McGill
Coach/stablehand
Hi, I’m Amelia. I was born and raised here in Canterbury.
Lucy O'Brien
Stablehand / trekking / exercising
Hi my name is Lucy O’Brien. I was born in the United States and moved to New Zealand in 2008. I was always obsessed with horses when I was younger and my dreams finally came true when we moved to Wanaka and I got my first pony. For the next 10 years I spent most of my time outdoors with my ponies, competing, attending pony club and basically living in the paddock. I have recently graduated from UC with a bachelor or arts and enjoy being able to still surround myself with horses on the weekend!
Erika McStay
Trainer / instructor / advisor
Hi I’m Erika. I had my first horse when I was 17 and taught myself how to ride. I gave up riding for 20 years and once I got back into it I never looked back. My passion is dressage and teaching both youngsters and adults how to ride. My role is one of schooling/training the horses, staff and helpers.
Jean Harris
Guest Coach / Mentor
Hi I’m Jean Harris, I have worked with Erika for many years now both as her personal coach and also with the School Holiday Riding Program. I have had many years training and teaching in England and France and I have also worked some years in Austria for Johanne Riegler of the Spanish Riding School. My passion is Dressage however I can also coach in Show Jumping and Cross Country.
Book Now
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
Book Now
