Ohariu Valley Equestrian Centre

“This is the best riding school I have ever been to. I ride ever very regularly once a week. And I work here in Fridays as a volunteer. It is like a family here, and the staff (my friends) are such friendly and lovely people, and take the time to get to know you, and help you out. The place is well organised in terms of tack, gear, and equipment. In terms of welfare, the standards are very high. The horses get feed their main hard feeds twice a day. And their feeds are constantly experimented with so that each horse gets the best diet and suitable feed for the amount of work that they do. They horses are all in good shape, and are not skinny or fat. They are given Baleage and hay throughout the day. So there are no concerns when it comes to feeding. The lessons are top quality, and I have progressed so much as a rider, than I have anywhere else. As a regular I have been combined with treks as well as lessons, and have learned great dressage patterns, and the arena is a great place to practice dressage tests. During the winter the paddocks and arena can be muddy but that is expected during our wet Wellington winters, so be prepared to bring gumboots with you. Things you are required to wear, Riding Helmet (provided at the riding school), and hard, study boots. Preferably riding boots. Don’t run, as this will spook the horses. And please don’t just approach the horses with your hands out, as some will be unhappy about their faces being crowded. So be calm and friendly as you approach them 😀 Again, best riding experiences I have had are here.”

“Excellent experience! Just went on a wonderful horse trek with my niece. So easy to book. Karen was really good in explaining what to expect. The guides were very professional, and catered to our needs (my niece is quite an experienced rider and I'm very much a novice). The views were incredible too. Good value for money; highly recommend to anyone, regardless of experience level!”

“What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! I had a 1-hr trek across hills and paddocks. The leaders were experienced, kind, and knowledgeable. I really appreciated how they catered to different skill levels. The horses are well cared for (and clearly very loved), and they have all the facilities and equipment you need.”

“Good experience for a first time of a horse riding. I had a nice ride and best view out there! (September 2019) May 2024 came back here again for my brother. Staffs are very kind and friendly! This time I got to meet new horses”