GlenOlive Equitation

25/11/2025

Trust works both ways- I think there are times that we forget how important this is for our horses too!

23/11/2025

Some rule changes in UK dressage. It will be interesting to see how judges decide what is ‘subtle’ and what is not.

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

“From January, British Dressage (BD) and British Riding Clubs (BRC) will allow “discreet” use of vocal aids, including tongue clicking, during tests. BRC has also ruled that nosebands will no longer be compulsory in dressage.”

18/11/2025

The first gathering of PARC Riding Club is this Sunday at 10 am at Montana Arena. Free for Adult riders with lots of fun activities and support provided by your new committee. All you need to do is regsuer via email and come along. We would love to see you! See

2025/26 Season We are currently planning a number of rallies and events for this season. Please stay tuned to find out more and sign up for our PARC facebook site for the most up to date informatio…

11/11/2025

Come and join us!

We are back!

The PARC committee are very excited to invite all past and future members to join us at a FREE open day at Montana arena on 23rd November from 10am-1pm.

The show jump course will be available along with a poles and ground class. Bring a lunch plate to share, we will have some patties on the BBQ.

Registration is essential so please RSVP by emailing [email protected] by the 20th November.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

PARC Committee

03/11/2025

Cups, ribbons, prize money, lovely as they are, don’t define your success. Success is about achieving your own personal goals and if that also includes winning a ribbon- then that’s a bonus.

I’m always proud of my students - and especially so when they challenge themselves to achieve their own personal goals. Whether that’s being confident enough to trot or canter for the first time, enter a competition, achieve ‘stretchy trot’ or even ‘just’ learning to relax and trust themselves and their horse. It’s always an honour to be able to share their journey, the ups and the downs, and to observe their development and glow in their reflected glory!

Being able to help develop happy riders on happy, safe horses is such a privilege.

Congratulations to Isobel and Zoe (pictured below this weekend) who work hard to achieve their goals, have stuck at it, and who this weekend, enjoyed some very successful outcomes! Ka Pai!

29/10/2025

It’s coming up to that time of year again- when our animals are put at unnecessary risk through irresponsible private firework displays. Last year, for the first time - a nearby property had a fireworks ‘party’ - not a care for the frightened horses in paddocks all around them, nor the dogs who were anxiously shivering and panting - nor the animal owners who were out most of the night trying to keep their pets safe.

So many reasons to get rid of this horrible event from our lives.. Why is it still legal to buy these explosive, flammable, noisy and dangerous devices over the counter? Why do we continue to celebrate something that has no relevance in NZ? Why do we even want to remember the actions of Guy Fawkes, a person who committed treason in the UK in 1605 when he tried to blow up London's Houses of Parliament because he wanted to kill King James I? Why are we mindlessly following a tradition that has no meaning, makes no sense and is outdated.

But it seems that despite majority public opinion against the private sale of fireworks- nothing has changed again.

So I suggest you prepare now- and here’s some tips to help you keep your horses safe.

Fireworks events can be a worrying time for horse owners. Read our ideas to help you and your horse have a less stressful night.

16/10/2025

The future?

15/10/2025

A visit to see the considerable work that has been done to transform the Pokfulam Riding School on Hong Kong island, and the life of the horses living there. With space at a premium in HK the school occupies only .2 of a hectare but is home to 30 to 40 horses and ponies. An arena on the roof allows for group turn out and the thoughtful stable design in the three storey building provides for social opportunity, views, a feeling of openness and a peaceful atmosphere with views from stables onto the protected trees. Whilst they may not have access to graze in paddocks all day, I feel this is a good example of how within a specific context, thoughtful equinecentric design (designing with knowledge and care for horse needs) can provide for positive welfare for these working animals, as well as making a safe and pleasant working environment for the people who care for them. I also loved the pony size riding simulators, all modelled on the riding school ponies - to help kids gain balance and basic skills before they get on a real pony!

06/10/2025

We are getting nearer to being able to reliably read animal emotional expressions.

‘Artificial intelligence systems have become skilled at automatically picking out the important landmarks on an animal’s face’
C. LESTÉ-LASSERRE/SCIENCE

Read more here: https://www.science.org/content/article/can-ai-read-pain-and-other-emotions-your-dog-s-face

29/09/2025

Blue skies one side- clouds the other.

Are you a glass half empty or a glass half full kind of person? The lens we look through shapes the way we respond to life events and situations.

That’s the same for our horses too. In this paddock- Fanta (the sorrel/chestnut coloured gelding) is an optimist- ever hopeful - believing that something good is always bound to happen for him- but Biggie is definitely a pessimist… ‘the sky might fall down’ sort of guy.

Knowing this about them helps me to behave the way they need me to be!

What kind of horse is yours?