A view across to the Brindabellas as seen on Trail Rides
For the casual rider we offer a range of fully escorted quiet country rides.
Designed for people with little or no experience with horses these rides pass
through picturesque Australian countryside. Rides usually encounter sheep
and cattle and often see kangaroos in their natural habitat lying in the
shade or moving slowly across the grassland. A feature of the rides is
the experience of passing through one of the region's best example of
Yellow Box/Red Gum Wooded Grassland.
Trail rides are usually hourly. Two hourly, half day and full day rides
are also available. Catering can be arranged for groups for a picnic/barbeque
at the Centre or at one of the beautiful riverbank sites nearby. [Rides begin
and end on the hour - some time, usually around 15 mins, is involved in safely
mounting and dismounting at the beginning and conclusion of each ride.
Bookings are necessary - please call in advance]
School and Community Groups
Special packages are available for school and community groups. These range
from trail rides to introductory horsemanship and riding programs. Some schools
include horse riding as a regular term program whilst others take advantage of
our end of term packages. We often provide excursion programs for out of area
groups.
The program can include transport in our airconditioned bus fitted with seat belts.
Holiday Programs
Each school holiday period the Centre runs a program of weekly day camps.
The regular program caters for riders of different levels in streamed groups
of no more than 8 persons. The Centre also runs a program for advanced riders
and vaulters.
Camps run for 4 days and consist of 2 riding lessons/periods each day plus a
theory or training session covering horsemanship and riding skills. Riders
learn to be responsible for the care of their horse and gear.
Beginner riders need to be at group stage to be accepted for camp. Call the
Centre for the dates and if you have any questions on being accepted into camp.
Instructor Training - Level 1 Program
The Centre runs an ongoing program for the NCAS Level 1 (EFA) instructors program.
The training schedule includes evening and weekend periods as well as some
weekdays. Call the Centre for more information.
After School Riding Programs
The Centre's after school program has been expanded and redesigned to provide
better rider programs and more options. We have redesigned the program to
provide more support to working parents. Our popular pick up bus will continue
to service schools in the Woden/Weston Creek areas. But in addition will pick
up riders for after school programs at the Woden (Platform 18) and
Weston Creek (outside Laksa House) Terminuses.
Lessons run at 4:00 and 5:00 with two graded lessons to ensure riders are
gaining maximum benefit from each lesson. To enter into the afterschool riding
program specific private lessons can be arranged. After School riders will be
able to join the Stages riding program through the beginner rider pack and
10 lesson discount program. A bus provides transport to the Centre from nominated
schools in the Weston Creek/Woden area and Woden and Weston Creek Interchanges
(by arrangement). The Centre office will coordinate the bus route schedule.
Pick up days and places can be scheduled to suit the riders.
The bus does not provide a return service in 2005. Riders can be picked up at
the Centre after their lessons at parents convenience up to 6pm.
Competition Riding
Riders at the National Equestrian Centre have the opportunity to participate in
open competition without the need to own your own horse. Riders can attend competitions
at the National Equestrian Centre or become part of a group attending an external
competition. This provides those riders that cannot have their own horse the
experience, enjoyment and commitment of competition participation.
