September Newsletter

Hi there,

Spring is definitely in the air now.  Now is the time to get back out there and enjoy our hoofed friends.
We are going to have a very busy 2 months.

Here are some dates to put into your diary.

Horsemanship clinic - Saturday 22nd of September

Holiday training days for kids -     Tuesday 2nd of October for under 10s
                                                   Thursday 4th  for 10 yrs and up

Possible two day camp - Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th for over 12s

Transporting a horse seminar - Saturday 6th of October

Adult Jumping Day - Tuesday 16th of October

Obstacle training day - Saturday 20th of October

All the details are below.

Horsemanship Clinic (22nd of September)

Julien will be running a clinic on groundwork, focusing on the relationship between owner and horse and how to establish better communication.
The clinic is from 10 am to 3pm. Cost - $50.
If you need a horse, you can hire one of ours for $10.
Bring a packed lunch, drinks will be supplied.
Need a minimum of 4 participants to run

Holiday Training Days (2nd and 4th of October)

The days will be from 10am to 4pm.
The kids need to bring a lunch, drinks will be supplied.
Cost -     Using a centre‘s horse -$60 ,  Bringing your own - $50.
Need a minimum of 4 participants to run

The under 10s day activities will be
Morning -     Lesson, building an obstacle course and practising each obstacle.
Afternoon-     Team race over obstacle course, games and quizzes about pony care.
If time at end, bareback riding.

10 yrs and over training day activities will be -
Morning lesson (flatwork and jumping)
Afternoon trek to river - swimming with the horses

2 day camp for over 12s.    (Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th )

From the Tuesday morning - 10am until Wednesday afternoon -4pm.
Kids need to bring sleeping bag, roll mat and tent (if poss).
Bring lunches for 2 days.
Tuesday’s evening meal and Wednesday’s breakfast will be included in price.
For the horses - bring hard feed if giving, hay will be included in price.
Price to be decided.
Book if interested as limited places.

Transporting a Horse Seminar (6th of October)

The seminar will cover the following subjects -
How to load, unload,
How to fit travelling gear
Trailer maintenance. 
If you would like to come or know of someone who would be interested, let me know.
It is in partnership with Agribusiness and is from 10am till 12:30 and a price of $60

Adult Jumping Day  (Tuesday 16th of October)

Would you like to try jumping or would like to get back into it?
This will be a very relaxed way of doing it.  The jumps won’t be big ( I promise, unless you want to!!)
From 9:30 - 4pm
The morning will be grid work and improving your position and feel over the jumps.
The afternoon we will have a go at a small course.
Bring your lunch, drinks will be supplied.
Cost - $50 with a horse hire charge of $10.

Obstacle training day  (Saturday 20th of October )

Come and spend the morning with us and try your hand at our obstacle course.
Obstacles will include barrels, a bridge,  a gate, a flag, mounting tyres etc.
If we have enough people, there might be a small competition in the afternoon.
Open to all ages so come with your kids.
Will start at 9am.
Morning training - $25
$5 horse hire fee if you need a horse.

Other things that are happening at EC Croft include

Pony Trainees

I am starting a programme called the Pony Trainee system for any keen teenager who would like to have work experience and training in the equestrian field.  In order to enter the program they need to be physical fit and capable, have some riding and horse experience.

Each student should have individual goals they are working towards whether it be gaining the confidence to have their own pony or becoming proficient enough to work  professionally in the equine industry.
I will offer the Pony Trainees special opportunities as they progress, however they must put in the hard work first.

The idea is that the students come on a Saturday and/or after school, also during the holidays.   There are limited places.  The students will work with us and our horses.  Though it is not guaranteed they will ride every time they come, the hours worked will be noted and the students will build up credits. 1 credit for 4 hours work.  4 credits equal one hour riding whether it is an extra lesson or a trek.

Let me know if your teenager is interested and when they could come for a trial day.

After School Programme

I have advertised in the local schools that with Care Farming NZ ( a registered charity), we are running after school programmes on a Monday and Thursday until 6pm.  There will be a variety of activities including animal care, gardening, woodwork and team building.  There will be time allocated to homework.  The programme costs $12 per day.  There may be additional transport costs.

River Rides

Would you like to have a relaxing ride along the river or do some swimming with the horses?
We are now doing short treks on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday (by appointment).
Give us a call to book in.

Birthday Parties

Having a birthday party for your child and looking for an activity?
What about pony rides?
Let us know what you would like and we can organise it for you.