Horse Riding Lessons

Lessons are available all year round and can be based either here at Chester Farm or at outside locations by arrangement. Our on-site training facilities include an 18 metre round yard, 50 x 55m sand arena, complete competition standard showjumping set with many different fillers, hunter spars and cross-country jumps, all located in a peaceful farm environment.

Greg's pupils all enjoy his relaxed, easy-going manner mixed with professional advice and training ideas, making his jumping and flatwork lessons suitable for children and adults through to serious competitors from all disciplines. Diana thoroughly enjoys helping adult riders getting back into riding or preparing for competition as well as working with pleasure riders wanting to improving their general riding skills and position using a wide range of flatwork and pole exercises. (See About Us for more details on Greg and Diana's background.)

As well as one-off or regular private or group lessons, we also hold 3 day riding clinics here each year in the spring and summer suitable for riders and horses of all ages and levels. (Scroll down to bottom of page for details on our next clinic coming up and a clinic photo gallery!)

Enquiries are also welcome from clubs, riding groups and instructors interested in hosting clinics or holding club rallies here or requiring instruction at your location.

Riding Lessons at the Chester Farm all weather sand arena.

- JUMPING LESSONS
Greg is available for jumping lessons and clinics throughout New Zealand, with his knowledge and experience ranging from introducing young horses to jump schooling for the first time right through to top level Grand Prix competition. (See About Us for more info.)
Whether you and/or your horse are just learning to jump though to advanced horses and riders, Greg's jumping lessons are based on establishing confidence of both horse and rider using a steady progression of exercises as they progress through the levels - covering everything from simple poles and rider position to higher level jumping exercises and are suitable to help both showjumping, showhunter, eventing and pony club riders alike.
At Chester Farm we also have competition standard water jumps available for training your showjumpers over - a permanent in-ground water jump as well as portable liverpool and water jump.

Jumping Lessons at Chester Farm - from horses and riders learning to jump through to advanced.

- FLATWORK LESSONS
Flatwork lessons with either Diana or Greg include dressage basics such as transitions, rhythm and bending exercises, rider position and pole work. Easy, quiet lessons where you are encouraged to progress but can ride within your comfort zone!
Diana particularly enjoys assisting adult riders gain confidence and progress through simple yet effective riding exercises helping to improve your position, focus, feel and general riding skills. For example, if you are an adult just returning to riding and looking for assistance to get your confidence back - right from handling your horse on the ground through to riding, or you simply want to brush up on your basic dressage and flatwork skills for pleasure riding or competition, these lessons are a great place to get you going again and help you progress.
Flatwork Lessons are also a great way to improve your jumping by focusing on your postition, eye focus, rhythm, accuracy and ring-craft that all help greatly when riding around a course of jumps.
Lessons can take place either in our round yard or the arena.

Flatwork lessons to improve your general riding skills, position and confidence

- YOUNG HORSE LESSONS
Both Greg and Diana's experience with breaking in and riding young horses enable them to offer sound advice, guidelines and simple exercises to assist you with groundwork skills for handling your young horse as well as riding your young horse during it's early education under saddle and helping you to progress in the right direction in a safe, peaceful environment. Lessons can take place either in our round yard or arena, and can also involve riding your young horse out and about around the farm, bush and river with a companion person or horse to help broaden your young horse's experiences under saddle.

- HUNTING / EVENTING / DERBY LESSONS
Greg spent much time hunting in previous years and has also trained countless numbers of horses for owners to go hunting on. At Chester Farm we currently have a variety of low, inviting hunter spars, logs, ditches and are currently in the process of creating more cross-country mobiles, derby jumps, a permanent water jump (as well as having a temporary water jump) and full wire spars that will offer ideal preparation for getting both you and your horse confident to join the hunt field or enter your first event or derby!

General Lesson Rates:
Private Lessons at Chester Farm: from NZ$45+GST (40 minutes)
Group Lessons (2 - 4 people): from NZ$45+GST (1 hour + depending on numbers)

Additional arena hire and travel fees may also apply for lessons offsite. Discount for multiple lessons booked. Our riding clinics may offer different rates, see booking forms (below) for details.

Camping facilities (yards, toilet, bbq etc) are available onsite for people wishing to stay overnight during lessons or clinics. Gorgeous tree surrounded camp site is situated next to a popular swimming hole where you can cool off after your lessons! Some additional fees may apply for yards etc.

To book a lesson or clinic please contact us via phone: 078624567 (evenings) or email us: Info@ChesterFarm.co.nz

CURRENT CLINIC SCHEDULE AT CHESTER FARM
- Please contact us if you would like to attend or would like more information!

A FEW IMAGES TAKEN DURING SOME OF OUR PREVIOUS RIDING CLINICS, CAMPS AND RIDING LESSONS AT CHESTER FARM...

Our Chester Farm arena and day parking area
Yarding for horses in a nice sheltered paddock	Flatwork and pole lessons are great for working on your riding basics and preparing for jumping.
Even if it gets a bit wet, our sheltered arena and good footing makes lessons easy to continue with.
Enjoy a cool off in the river next to the camp site, great swimming hole and shallows for all ages to enjoy.
Work on your general riding skills with flatwork lessons.	Fun in the river after lessons.
The lovely tree-lined camping paddock
Kids thrive on group lessons for having fun and making progress!
Private lessons for one on one time	Jumping lessons
Flatwork lessons to help get you and your horse working confidently together.
	Lessons to teach your young horse to jump confidently.
	Barney the boxer just loves making new friends!