Maris Equestrian

10/04/2025

Harness Education & Rehoming Opportunities is a HRNZ initiative promoting life after racing opportunities for retired Standardbreds �

07/04/2025

Lunging is a crucial skill for any horse owner and rider, but it’s important to do it safely and effectively. 🐴

We’ve found a fantastic resource from Pony Club Australia that covers all aspects of lunging – a great theory guide to help you get started! 📚

Interested in learning this essential skill? Whether with one of our lovely horses or your own, we’d love to help you master lunging in your lessons! Just let us know! 😊

https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PCA-Lungeing-Manual-web.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawJgPDtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHntpbNB5BufsrvHyPxLIbbYdOd73NE8pDBVzMe1rCb4bx1fY7Oma2blyC1iY_aem_Qi4BmjT80TLsJloHRasmYg

01/04/2025

The end of Term 1 is approaching very quickly and we have opened bookings for our April school holiday program!
Please find the schedule below.
To book, email us at [email protected]

We have also opened Term 2 lesson bookings so get in quick as our schedule has tightened a little while our coach Nicole will be away on maternity leave!

22/03/2025

Do you find yourself getting ahead of the movement when you are jumping?

While it can be tempting to interfere with the decision making when it comes to the take off point, more often than not this results in you and your horse becoming out of sync. Instead, try to remember that while it is your job to get your horse safely to the fence, it is their decision as to when and where they take off.

By trusting your horse to do his job, you will not only improve your confidence in him, but your performance too.

https://thelucindagreenacademy.com/

21/03/2025

As some of our riders prepare for the Demo & Dabble and the South Island Eventing Development Camp, we took a moment to reflect on the last time the NZ National 3-Day Event was held at our local showgrounds, Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch

Watching the performances on those highly technical courses, it's incredible to see how far the sport has come in the last 45 years—especially when we notice things like:

- No back protectors
- Riders getting straight back on after a fall with the option to reattempt a fence
- Introduction of mandatory use of helmets with fixed chinstraps
- Stricter regulations on the use of whips and spurs
- Increased emphasis on horse welfare, including vet checks before and after cross-country
- Course design focusing more on rider safety and stamina rather than sheer difficulty

It's amazing to see how eventing has evolved!

Fabulous XC footage!

18/03/2025

Brrr!🥶 it a chilly one today! But that doesn’t stop the amazing Kerry from DSH Equine Therapy coming out to give our boys and girls their regular massage treatments. She sure was a welcome face for them all today 🥰

Our horses are all athletes and having regular massage treatments help them keep feeling their best so that they can work their best for every one of our riders.

07/03/2025

One of our boys Ralph enjoying the morning sun yesterday 🌞☀️

07/03/2025

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗶𝗱𝘀 – 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿

Good riding is about clear, ethical communication, and that starts with light aids. Equitation Science teaches us that horses learn best through clear, consistent signals and timely reinforcement. Applying aids correctly helps prevent confusion, frustration, and unwanted behaviours.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗶𝗱𝘀 – 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘆
1. Intent & Posture – A shift in balance and focus can prepare the horse.
2. Light Aid – A subtle cue with your seat, legs, or reins.
3. Slightly Stronger Aid – Increase only if the horse doesn’t respond.
4. Stronger Aid if Necessary – Used briefly and fairly if lighter cues are ignored.
5. Release & Reward – The moment the horse responds correctly, release the pressure to reinforce learning.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
- Promotes Learning – Horses respond best to light, clear, and consistent signals, reducing the need for strong aids.
- Prevents Resistance – Heavy or inconsistent aids can cause confusion, stress, or habituation.
- Encourages Self-Carriage – A horse that listens to light cues stays more relaxed, balanced, and willing.
- Supports Welfare – Ethical riding ensures horses remain happy, sound, and confident in their work.

If you often find yourself using strong aids, consider:
✔️ Is my timing correct?
✔️ Am I rewarding the right response?
✔️ Could tension, discomfort, or training gaps be affecting my horse’s reaction?

Riding with fairness and clarity helps create a more responsive, willing horse and strengthens the partnership between horse and rider.

📸 Kirrah, a Southside Pony Club, Qld member, showcasing a beautiful partnership with her horse. Photo by Oz Shotz

06/03/2025

A gorgeous chilly autumn morning here at Maris Equestrian. Perfect conditions for a technical ride working on circles 🙌

16/02/2025

After a busy Saturday of lessons followed by 2 days of support and coaching for riders at the John Jones Steel 2 Day Event Nicole has jumped straight into baling and stacking our hay for the winter.

Lucky we have Winston the tractor to help us make light work of the job ( It definitely beats stacking small bales by hand!)

16/02/2025

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner 🤩🥳
We are stoked to see one of our coaches Julia have a ball this weekend taking out first place in the Prebbleton Vets CCN95 - S

Thankyou to our sponsor DSH Equine Therapy who also sponsors Julia to help keeps Magnum feeling his best with his regular massage regime.

Thankyou to the sponsors of the class Prebbleton Veterinary Hospital who also help care for all the horses at our yard when any of them are not feeling their best!

John Jones Steel Eventing Canterbury Two Day Event
Prebbleton Vets CCN95 - S
🥇 Julia Percy & Delta Magneto
🥈 Tarryn Jones & Stolen Thunder
🥉 Rebecca Wardle & WS Bellatrix

13/02/2025

📚 Equestrian Fact of the Week: Why Do Horses Wear Shoes? 🐎
Horseshoes are used to protect the hooves from wear and tear, especially for horses that work on hard or rocky surfaces! 🛠️ But did you know not all horses need them? Some have strong, healthy hooves that do just fine barefoot! 🐾
Farriers play a crucial role in maintaining hoof health, ensuring that each horse gets the right care for their workload and lifestyle.
Do your horses wear shoes or go barefoot? Let us know in the comments! 👇

10/02/2025

🗳️ Poll Time!
If you could only do ONE equestrian discipline for the rest of your life, which would it be? 🤔🏇
❤️ Dressage
👍 Show Jumping
😆 Eventing
Drop your answer in the comments and tell us why! Let’s see which discipline wins! 🏆

08/02/2025

🐴 Horse Care Tip: Hydration Matters! 💦
Did you know that horses need 25–55 liters of water per day? Keeping your horse hydrated is especially important in this warm weather! 🌞 Here are some quick hydration tips:
✅ Always provide fresh, clean water.
✅ Add electrolytes if your horse is sweating a lot.
✅ Soak feed like beet pulp to sneak in extra moisture.
✅ Offer a salt lick to encourage drinking.
Keep an eye on your horse’s water intake – it’s a key part of their health and performance! 🐎

07/02/2025

🌟 Maris Equestrian Riders Shine at Roydvale Pony Club’s Waitangi Day Showjumping! 🌟

We are incredibly proud of our riders who competed at the Roydvale Pony Club Waitangi Day Showjumping event, with every single horse and rider bringing home a ribbon! 🏅🐴

✨ Results:
🏆 Matthew & Max – 2nd place in their 70cm rounds
🏆 Jodi & Roman – 6th & 4th place in their 70cm rounds
🏆 Ruby & Lockie – 1st & 2nd place in the 20cm & 30cm introductory rounds (for their first ever event together!)
🏆 Allana & Cricket – 1st place in their 80cm and 90cm rounds, proving that dedication to the small things pays off!
🏆 Julia & Eva (borrowed from Nicole!) – 4th place, since Nicole is now a little too big to be jumping with her baby bump! 😉

It was fantastic to see all the horses and riders happy, confident, and performing at their best. The dedication and countless hours of training put in by our riders truly showed—well done, team! 🎉👏

A huge thank you to for hosting another fantastic event, to for capturing so many great moments 📸, and to all the judges and volunteers who made the day possible along with our riders support teams and family.

Thankyou to our amazing sponsor DSH Equine Therapy who help keep all of our horses feeling their best with routine massage therapy. 🥰

02/02/2025

Calling all our competition newcomers!
Get in touch if you’d like to be a part of this awesome opportunity with our horses/ponies 🤩
Get a feel for what it is like competing in any or some of the Olympic disciplines at Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch.

𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗢 & 𝗗𝗔𝗕𝗕𝗟𝗘 | 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟯 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵
Hey Mainlanders ... want to try something new? Demo & Dabble is an ideal start for newcomers to the sport or those with inexperienced horses. Or perhaps you're finding your feet again after a long break. You can learn from passionate ambassadors in each discipline (dressage, jumping, show hunter, eventing and trail riding). Loads of spot prizes and giveaways all at the Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC Christchurch on 22-23 March. Entries open on Evoevents soon. For more: see our FB Event https://www.facebook.com/share/18Mdnx7fTJ/ and click on the Discussion tab; see our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/ to find out what our ambassadors got up to in Hamilton; or check out our website under "Programmes" at https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/esnz/programmes/strengthen-adapt/
PHOTO: Ambassador Kyle Calder with Jenn Ludman at Demo & Dabble on the Waikato Equestrian Centre cross country course. Credit LJ Photography.

Dressage NZ
ESNZ Eventing
ESNZ Jumping & Show Hunter
ESNZ Endurance
ESNZ Para-Equestrian
New Zealand Pony Clubs
New Zealand Riding for the Disabled
Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch
Maris Equestrian
Arion Riding Centre
Sumner Valley Riding School
Sport New Zealand

24/01/2025

This week we took some of our regular young riders to their first-ever showjumping and cross-country outing. It is safe to say the coaches, riders and ponies all had a ball! See them in action in this short video from the day 😍