Ectara Equestrian

20/05/2023

So close - buy tickets tonight!!!

26/12/2021

Hello everyone,

As I’m sure some of you have seen, the farm was sold on Christmas Eve. This marks the end of a chapter of Ectara Equestrian for the time being. It has been a crazy journey, to think that just under two years ago we started with an empty block and new business, and have finished with such an incredible team. I could never have imagined how amazing this experience would be. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it along the way.

To my wonderful clients, who supported a new business and trusted me with their horses, their children and themselves, thank you. It has been a pleasure watching you all thrive and develop into wonderful, kind horsepeople. None of this would have happened without your support, especially on the days where I was very unwell.

To my workers, Emily, Olivia, Ella, and Eden. You girls were the backbone of Ectara, taking on so much responsibility and building the farm to be what it is. It is always wonderful to know you can trust your team wholeheartedly to love and care for each horse as much as you do. These girls shouldered so much for me in the last few months when I’ve been too unwell to work, and I am forever grateful for it.

To everyone else, thank you for every post shared, recommendation, and word of encouragement. Thank you to everyone who helped at the farm painting fences, mowing, digging holes, and everything in between. This place is a labour of all of your love.

For now, Ectara will be taking a break. It is a long road to recovery for me, but once I’m better I am hoping to bring this dream alive again and do it better than ever. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. I wish Kelli and her family every happiness at the farm for 2022.

Love,
Erin and the Ectara family.

30/10/2021

Dear Ectara Community,

It is with absolute sadness that we are forced to make this call.

Erin has been dealing with her health issues for nearly 3 years and the health situation is unique. Doctors have been unable to provide treatment that enables her to function in the way that she would wish. This includes her capability to engage in her most passionate pursuit, competitive showjumping. Whilst Erin has worked hard on her health, we have come to the realization that the unknown timeframe required to allow Erin to overcome her illness, means that we cannot continue to commit resources to Ectara Equestrian at this time. Erin’s recovery requires complete rest, and this is not possible if we continue to run the business even with the amazing help from Eden, Coco, Emily and Olivia.

With this in mind, we have made the very hard decision to put the property up for sale. Twynette and Rod do not have the necessary skills, experience or capacity to run Ectara Equestrian without Erin’s input. Without her direct involvement and passion, we just don’t think that Ectara Equestrian can continue to provide the service levels that our customers deserve, particularly when it comes to the riding instruction and lessons. It is our hope that any prospective buyer could continue to provide these services, but we obviously cannot guarantee this will be the case. The sale process will take some time and we will continue to provide updates as we can. In the meantime, the agistment and lessons will continue, and we appreciate your patience if we cannot meet your requests 100% of the time.

We are absolutely devastated that it has come to this, particularly given the work that has been put in to get the facilities to their current state, but we hope that you all understand that this is the only viable option available to us. We cannot thank each and every one of our valued customers for your trust, support and compassion over the last 18 months.

A heavy heart
Erin, Twynette and Rod Dickinson

21/10/2021

Ectara Merchandise has arrived and looks amazing thanks to Anthony Zibara ZBR Zibara Teamwear & Uniforms

17/10/2021

A few familiar faces on the news last night. Ectara supporting Cancer Council NSW - Central Coast and it’s “Pets in a pink” fundraiser.

Magenta, bubblegum, rose and hot pink, there are dozens of shades. The Central Coast Cancer Council has a new campaign that gets us thinking - which of them best suits our four-legged friends?

13/10/2021

We are very proud to support "Pets In Pink" for Cancer Council NSW - Central Coast raising funds for those in our community who have been affected by cancer.

I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.

05/10/2021

Ectara Gate warning - Please be careful when entering or exiting as the wind is blowing the gate shut. There is a strap on the gate to attached to the railing to hold open to prevent it hitting a car or similar.

04/10/2021

Ectara Update:

Firstly we would like to sincerely thank everyone for their kind words and wishes regarding Erin from our last update, we are super lucky to have such a caring community of riders and owners within the Ectara family. The weather has started to warm up and the facilities at Ectara Equestrian are really taking on the beautiful Spring feel.

We wanted to provide an update on Erin’s health and what the immediate future holds. Unfortunately Erin’s condition has not improved at all. Her doctors continue to work on the right mix of treatments, however the short term prognosis is still very unclear. The most pressing symptoms are severe fatigue and the inflammation behind her eye, meaning that she is very sensitive to light.

With that in mind, we have decided to put Erin on indefinite leave. She will at some time in the near future move home and will be unavailable for lessons. The care and health of your horses is of paramount importance and we will continue to be providing these services. Eden and Emily have been amazing in assisting Erin and this will remain unchanged.

Coco has settled in seamlessly into her coaching role and has kindly accepted an offer to continue to provide instruction for lessons. She will only be doing so on Tuesday, Friday and Saturdays. This is an interim measure and we will provide regular updates. We understand that change can be upsetting but we are very confident that you can all feel comfortable that Ectara Equestrian will be able to meet your requirements moving forward.

We again ask that you try not to contact Erin directly for Ectara related queries but do so via this email or contacting us or Eden.

Kind regards and happy riding,

Rod & Twynette Dickinson

27/09/2021

🐱🐴

26/09/2021

The amazing Coco will continue the lessons this week!

21/09/2021

Just a gentle reminder that we are required to comply with all NSW health orders and this includes checking in, remaining 1.5 metres apart (unless from same household) and wearing masks at all times unless riding.
Thank you 🙏

15/09/2021

💙💙💙

13/09/2021

What a ride!
Some Monday inspiration for Ectara riders 😍

11/09/2021

Over the next couple of weeks while Erin is concentrating on her health you will see a new guest coach at Ectara.

Coco has 6 years of experience coaching all levels of riders in the showjumping, dressage and eventing disciplines. She currently competes in showjumping with her team of horses up to Grand Prix. Having produced horses from 4yo to high level showjumping she is passionate about improving horse and rider combinations so they can reach their best potential. She has an encouraging and motivating approach and aims to build confidence in her riders. She is really looking forward to working with the Ectara riders and horses! Welcome our lovely friend and fellow show-jumper Coco Dulhunty

10/09/2021

Reminder that lessons will resume from Monday so no lesson this weekend while Erin is having her week off with illness. Further information around these lesson will be coming out later today.

09/09/2021

Please take the time today to check on a friend or family.

R U OK?Day is Thursday September 10 and this year's message is 'there's more to say after R U OK?' Learn what to say next so you can have a conversation that...

04/09/2021

Ectara Update

As most of you are aware Erin has struggled with her health and her doctors are trying to get the right mix of medications which can have some tricky side effects.

With this in mind, as parents, we have decided that she requires some time off to concentrate on her health. This decision has been forced upon her with her well-being in mind.

Erin will take a week off and re-assess after that, however the horses will continue to be well looked after. Any lessons or Academy students will be contact via email to sort this out individually.

We ask that you don’t contact Erin during this time however we are available as well as Eden if you require anything urgent.

Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time for Erin and fingers crossed she is feeling much better with a well earned rest.

Rod & Twynette (aka Dad & Mum)

27/08/2021

🐶 AND THE WINNER IS… 🐶

We have two winners! Congratulations to:
💙 The Lovell family for guessing the majority breeding of Bobby (Doberman x Staffy)
💙 Christine Bowker for guessing German Shepherd (the only person to guess that breed!)

Bobby’s 3 main breeds are
🔹German Shepherd (28.5%) (what??)
🔹Dobermann (24.6%)
🔹Staffy (29%)
He’s also a mix of small percentages of:
Kelpie, Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, and Springer Spaniel 😂

Send us a message with your address and we will mail you your prizes!

26/08/2021

Keep your guesses coming guys! No one has correctly guessed all 3 breeds yet 👀
Announced tomorrow at 6pm!

24/08/2021

Missing jump offs, comps please come back soon! 🙏🏻

21/08/2021

🌟 Competition Time! 🌟

Ectara mascot BobbyDog is a bit of a genetic mystery - often causing lengthy debates from students and parents as to what breed he is. So we’ve done a DNA test and the results are in!
Comment what you think Bobby’s three major breeds are and share this post to win yourself an Ectara hat and sticker pack!

The winner will be announced Friday 27th at 6pm!

20/08/2021

Name a bigger legend than Classico, we’ll wait 😉

15/08/2021

To all Ectara’s lovely clients,

Throughout the last 12 months we have been working hard to continually improve our facilities and services in order to provide the best care and tuition to our clients. As well as this, increases of feed and material costs, on October 1 we will be raising our prices as follows:

Agistment
Gold Package - $33/day + gst
Silver Package - $28/day + gst
Bronze Package - $24/day + gst

Lessons:
Private - $65 + gst
Group - $55 + gst
School Horse Private - $80 + gst

Schooling:
Rides - $50 + gst
Lunging - $30 + gst

We wanted to give everyone plenty of notice, so this will come into place approximately 6 weeks from now, on the 1st of October. Thanks to all our wonderful clients for their continued support 💙

Erin and the Ectara Team

07/08/2021

Three Ectara students for three awesome OTTBs! Allie (Alienator), Mardi (Mastery) and N***y (Under My Skin) are spending lockdown with their riders preparing for their Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association classes.

02/08/2021

💙 Ectara Merch Order 💙

Anyone interested in any Ectara gear please send me a message confirming what you’d like by this Thursday (5th)!
We have:
🔹 Navy short or long sleeve polo $35
🔹 Black quilted jacket $110
🔹 Navy saddle cloth $90
🔹 Navy and white sports bag $60
🔹 White T-shirt (pictured is kids version) $20
🔹 Work shirts (adult sizes only, any colour) $45
🔹 Hats $15

Pictured are a few of the options, let me know if you’d like pictures of the others!

27/07/2021

The Ectara Academy is now well underway! We are focusing on dressage this week - inspired by Tokyo - and all riders are doing super in their private and group lessons. Today’s group lesson (limited to 2 per group to stay covid safe) we worked on our transitions within and between gaits. Transition work is excellent for building topline and creating an adjustable ride. Go girls 😍

22/07/2021

For any keen riders out there, here are the times and dates of the equestrian events for Tokyo!
Ectara students will be recording their favourite riders and moments from each day and discipline to inspire their next lessons. Nothing like watching the best of the best 😍

Thank you The Back Rail for this handy schedule!

20/07/2021

✨ Last chance to sign up! ✨

We are finalising numbers and organising the groups for our Ectara Academy programme for this term. Last chance to lock in your spot, with only 2 spots left for the term.

Check our last post for all the details on this awesome opportunity 🐴

16/07/2021

A huge thank you to Josh from Master Class Tiling for doing such an awesome job on our client bathroom and shower. So happy with the finished product!!

12/07/2021

💙 Introducing the Ectara Academy 💙

The Ectara Academy is a program designed for our keen, up and coming riders to challenge themselves to achieve their riding goals. Academy Riders will work on their horsemanship, equine management, theory and practical riding skills to become well-rounded equestrians.

The program is centred around outcome based goal setting. We create a realistic goal or goals for each term and work together to achieve these aspirations. This could be to compete at a show, master the canter, or step up to the next height in jumping. The 10 week term consists of:
🔹 Individual weekly lessons
🔹 Weekly group lessons with riders of a similar level to encourage friendship and teamwork.
🔹Wet weather lessons in our brand new rider retreat
🔹 Custom made books containing riding exercises, horse theory and goal setting to keep Academy Riders focused on achieving their individual aspirations.
🔹 Custom Ectara Academy merchandise of your choosing. New items for each new term!
🔹 Opportunities to experience some of the best shows in the country
🔹 Special prices on transport and free coaching at shows
🔹 As well as more exciting benefits in the works!

What does it cost?
$400 upfront payment, then $300 paid at the fourth and seventh week, a saving of $200 on lessons.

This is an invaluable experience for young riders to dive headfirst into the world of equestrianism. Ectara is striving to create solid foundations for our next generation riders to develop and grow from.

Don’t hesitate to get in contact with questions and queries.