Bannockburn Riding Academy & Equine Services

12/03/2025

Attention all.... April school holidays we will NOT be running any lessons for the first time ever in our 15yr history 😱. We will be taking a very long drive with some of our beautiful horses to Christchurch. 🐎🚢🌴

01/03/2025

Welcome to the Bannockburn family officially Simba ❤️🐴

28/02/2025

This is so very true!!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19yCz8EdrZ/

Make Them Carry Their Saddle

A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.

Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)

When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.

When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.

Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.

When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.

After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.

Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.

Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.

So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.

I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.

Hannah Campbell Zapletal

19/02/2025

PART 2 photos from xc lesson

19/02/2025

Last weeks X-Country Lesson I did at Tuakau PC with Eva, Thea, Indi and Courtney. 👌
Also the last lesson Courtney and Timber will have with me as Courtney is now at Uni in Christchurch and Timber will be joining her in April when I take him down... along with Mr Friday too for her lovely Mum Cheryl ☺️🥹
PART 1 photos

01/02/2025

Awesome x-country lesson this afternoon with these 4 fabulous riders! Fantastic riding, looking forward to more of these lessons.

31/01/2025

Meet nibbles our new horse 🐎😍