Photo of Mariska Lochead - Equestrian services & trekking in Canterbury
Horse Riding

Mariska Lochead - Equestrian services & trekking

📍 Spencerville, Canterbury

★5.0(120 Google reviews)

Horse riding lessons and guided treks led by Mariska Lochead in Spencerville, north of Christchurch. Forest and beach trails, gentle horses matched to ability, and welcoming for complete beginners.

✓ Patient instructor✓ Welcoming for beginners✓ Forest and beach trails✓ Well-cared-for horses✓ Lessons available

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Beginner-friendly. Multiple reviewers describe themselves as first-time riders and were guided through the basics one-on-one. Mariska also accommodates last-minute bookings and runs in light rain. Suited to families with kids old enough to ride independently and to nervous adults wanting to start.

â„šī¸ What to Know Before You Go

💡Beginners are welcomed - a riding briefing is part of every trek
⏰Lessons available alongside the trek operation
đŸŽŸī¸Long pants and enclosed shoes; helmets are provided
🚗Email or phone ahead - last-minute bookings sometimes possible

đŸ’Ŧ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
5.0
★★★★★

120 Google reviews

5★
118
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G Reviews from Google

C

CYL

6 months ago

★★★★★

“Mariska was wonderful! I love her sense of humour and she gave good, clear instructions and took very good care of my family and I. We thoroughly enjoyed the ride through the varied landscape - by the beach, and through the forest and grasslands. Along the way, Mariska pointed out and educated us on the local wildlife, regaled us with stories, frequently checked in with us and took photos of us. I love the horses too - they are majestic, beautiful, intelligent and gentle - and it was clear that they were happy and well taken care of. It was a fantastic experience and I hope to be back again some day.”

L

Lemaire

5 months ago

★★★★★

“Wonderful memory from my trip to NZ! The flocks of birds on the Lagoon and the fantail that followed us in the pine forest were particularly memorable. Mariska was very patient and clear when she lecture my friend, who was a beginner at horse riding. My horse, Rimu, was a tall horse, quite different from what I usually ride in Japan. His canter was smooth with hardly any bounce, making him very easy and comfortable to ride. I hope to visit again if I go to the South Island in the future!”

C

Claudia Engelsman

5 months ago

★★★★★

“Had an amazing forest and beach ride with Cooper. The area is beautiful and it was great fun to trot and canter through the forest and on the beach. Cooper was such a sweetheart, and he seemed to enjoy the ride too. Very reliable and comfortable on a longer trek. Mariska was a great guide, knowledgeable about the area and horses and fun to ride with, the ride went by way too fast! Will definitely come back for another ride when I'm in the area. Thank you for a great afternoon Mariska!”

📊 Commonly mentioned in Google reviews

Based on Google review tags

Lagoon ride

16 reviews

Knowledgeable guide

14 reviews

Beach ride

9 reviews

Trotting

8 reviews

Forest riding

5 reviews

Overview

Mariska Lochead runs guided horse treks and riding lessons from Spencerville, just north of Christchurch. The treks combine forest tracks and Pegasus-area beach with horses chosen to match each rider's experience. Beginners are welcomed with a thorough introduction to handling and riding, while experienced riders can ride out in trot and canter through more challenging terrain. Lessons are available for those who want to keep riding after a first trek.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday08:30-17:00
Tuesday08:30-17:00
Wednesday08:30-17:00
ThursdayClosed
Friday08:30-17:00
Saturday08:30-17:00
Sunday08:30-17:00

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