Aurum Equestrian Services

05/08/2026

Last week I upgraded to Coach Educator. Now I am qualified to train and assess candidates for their EA Coaching Certificates.

20/06/2026

Why Are Riding Lessons So Expensive?

I hear this question a lot, so let’s break it down.

When you pay for a riding lesson, you’re not just paying for the 45-60 minutes you’re in the saddle.

You’re helping cover:

✅ Equestrian Australia registrations and accreditation fees
✅ Insurance
✅ Coaching renewals and professional memberships
✅ Sport Integrity requirements and annual updates
✅ First Aid training and renewals
✅ Ongoing education, clinics, lessons, courses and certifications so your coach continues improving

You’re also paying for:

✅ Lesson planning and rider development programs
✅ Training challenges, worksheets and educational resources
✅ Social media content creation and marketing
✅ Travel costs, fuel and vehicle maintenance
✅ Time spent answering messages, scheduling lessons and administration

And if your coach supports you at competitions:

✅ Early mornings and long days at events
✅ Walking courses with you
✅ Last-minute pep talks
✅ Warm-up support
✅ Problem-solving when things don’t go to plan

Often without charging extra.

Then there are the school horses…

✅ Daily feeding and care
✅ Training rides
✅ Farrier visits
✅ Veterinary care
✅ Physio and bodywork
✅ Saddle fitting
✅ Tack replacement and maintenance

And the facilities…

✅ Arenas and fencing
✅ Machinery and equipment
✅ Repairs and maintenance
✅ Water, electricity and property upkeep

But perhaps the biggest thing you’re paying for is experience.

The years spent learning.
The mistakes already made.
The books read.
The clinics attended.
The horses ridden.
The skills developed.

You’re paying for someone who can:

✔️ Watch horse and rider at the same time
✔️ Identify problems quickly
✔️ Explain concepts in a way that makes sense
✔️ Keep both horse and rider safe
✔️ Adapt training to suit different personalities, goals and confidence levels

And often provide guidance on:

• Horse health and management
• Nutrition and feeding
• Fitness and conditioning
• Tack and gear fitting
• Hoof care
• Competition preparation
• Rules, entries and event planning

A riding lesson isn’t just an hour of instruction.

It’s the result of thousands of hours, tens of thousands of dollars, years of education, and a genuine commitment to helping both horses and riders succeed.

When you invest in a good coach, you’re not paying for the hour.

You’re paying for everything it took to make that hour valuable. 🐴✨

15/05/2026

9 plaits. All his own mane!

13/05/2026

No lessons on Saturday!

18/04/2026

Aurum Chilli had his first dressage competition since before Christmas today. The hard work is paying off!

01/04/2026

31/03/2026

We have never done this in public together and neither of us has done it for about 10 years! Aurum Chilli and me having our 6th jump together!

30/03/2026

18/03/2026

This might be interesting...

A rare, unscripted live conversation with former #1 riders Boyd Martin and Laura Graves on the reality of riding at the highest level.

10/03/2026

https://www.equestrianlife.com.au/magazine/issue-120/precision-is-everything-riding-accurate-lines/

Straight lines, accuracy to markers and true corners set combinations apart. Sit back and watch any dressage test and what often sets one combination a cut above another is the precision with which they negotiate the lines each test prescribes.