Benkalda Horse and Rider

29/08/2026

Bethany keeping the sun off and Jonathon doing zoomies. We love having new riders come along and enjoy the challenge course. Hope to see you guys here again.

29/08/2026

Elvis admiring himself in the mirror at our Play Date. Such a pretty boy. Thanks for sending Shelly.

29/08/2026

29/08/2026

As always my crappy photos of what was an amazing Play Date. New friends, old friends, new horses, old horses. We loved having you here. If you have photos from today please send them along via DM and I'll post them. Thanks everyone for rocking up and enjoying the course.

28/08/2026

Looking forward to a clear sky for our Play Date tomorrow. New riders and horses, old friends with their horse, old friends and new horses. See you in the morning everyone. Nite nite.

23/08/2026

You might just be looking for something a bit different and here it is. For those riders already in touch and anyone else who would like to join us please nominate and pay by Thursday 27.8.26 to secure a spot. DM for your registration form and payment details.

20/08/2026

No photos on show but some very positive experiences and outcomes under our belt. Two of our regular session riders have moved out of the arena/challenge course into trails. The arena offers so much security however you can still come off in an arena, your horse can bolt in an arena, your horse can rear in an arena, your horse can buck in arena, and yet we feel more secure. BUT do we grow? If you're into dressage or jumping probably you feel trail is not relevant however I would say a well rounded horse who has access to trails would make a better dressage or jumps horse. Why? Because trails allow a horse to be a horse. Sniff/spook/encounter strange objects. And learn to trust you and you learn to trust him/her. You allow him to communicate his feelings in a natural environment (still under saddle but not competing). You can offer let down time, move on time, have a bit of a nibble time. Stand still while I mount from a bank, a log, a tree stump or another rider's stirrup, deal with the horse behind you and the horse in front of you. I've seen dressage horses lose it in the middle of a dressage competition arena when it rains and their rider says "he goes crazy when it rains" or "he lost it when they put their umbrella up. Why would they do that?". Well because it was raining. Most horses in a paddock just keep grazing when it rains. Mine don't - stampede for the stable. BUT if I'm on them they just keep doing what they're doing. You get my drift. Allowing a horse to be a horse can set them up for being the horse you want them to be. There needs to be something in it for everyone:you and the horse. Happy trails everyone.