Golden Hills Equestrian Centre

12/04/2024

Happy School Holidays!

We have spaces left on our 4 Day Holiday Program!

The program is from 9am to 12pm, Monday 15th through to Thursday 19th April. It is a great way for children from absolute beginners to intermediate riders (can walk and trot independently) to build their confidence and equine skills over an intensive period.

The program offers a range of informative and fun equine activities both ridden and theory, it can be expected that participants will complete the program with many new equine skills and knowledge. It is a great option either as a one off fun experience or a starting point for children wanting to join lessons in the future.

Contact:
[email protected] to book in - spaces filling fast!

01/12/2023

Horses need horsemen. It's that simple. I get asked the same questions over and over again and nobody gets it. What level rider is this horse suitable for? I'll tell you, the best one she can get, the best horseman that's willing to buy her. The horse will only ever be as good as the rider. It doesn't matter if it's trained to jump hoops of fire, you're gonna bring it down to your level in no time. Your kid doesn't need a $15,000 horse if they haven't already had $15,000 worth of lessons. You can't buy a violin that will gift you the skill of playing. It's the same for horses. There is no magic horse, only a love for the animal, and a commitment to learning.

Most of you are so unfair and demanding of the horse you miss the forest for the trees. "I want a horse that rides out alone!!" well guess what, you better be ready to spend a year developing that relationship, that bond, that trust, she's not a bike, you can't buy trust.

"I want a horse that can sit and be the same after time off" well friend, this is a commitment to a relationship, not a classic car you take out of the garage twice a year. You can't buy what your looking for.

"I want a horse my kids can ride" you better be ready to teach your kids how to be horseman, because if the horse has to do it, you'll likely see the inside of an ambulance, or a morgue.

You can't buy trust, you cannot buy what comes with building a relationship with an animal over years of dedication.

Brittnee Woodward-Whitehead wrote this.
Truer words were never spoken...
Had to share as very relevant …..

06/07/2023

Wishing luck to our one and only Reece Mahuika and the rest of AQHA NZ Youth team at the 2023 AQHA Youth World Cup.

It is a fantastic journey full of passion, sweat, dirty jeans, heartbreak, fun and a buckets of goodluck.

If you want to watch any of the competition follow along here: https://aqha-youthworldcup.com/

Here are a few reminiscing photos of our incredible AQHA YWC journeys. We are forever grateful to AQHA NZ and everyone involved for the life long friendships and opportunities that have helped shape the NZ Quarterhorse riders of the future. 🐴 🏆 🇳🇿

15/05/2023

Tamsin was extremely helpful with advice and support in feeding one of our special horses who developed Ulcers.
Highly recommend ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

09/04/2023

Yesterday we farewell Reece Mahuika, embarking on a very exciting new adventure in the USA. Reece has been with us for 13 + years starting as a student and leaving us as a Instructor. Reece we wish you all the best for the Youth World Cup Competition in Texas and then College in Idaho. You will be hugely missed at Golden Hills Equestrian Centre , we are all super proud of your dedication to horse riding setting great examples to many younger riders. You set goals and achieved them from sheer sweat and hard work. Super proud of you Reece and missing you already ……

07/04/2023

Introduction to Riding
● Dates: 14th April & 21st April
● Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
● Cost $80.00 per day
● Ability: Beginner/Intermediate
A Fun learning introduction session specifically designed for younger children or beginner riders. Includes basic horsemanship skills, a small riding lesson and short ride out along one of our many beautiful farm trails. Depending on age and confidence lead-rein is available.

This offers a great introduction to our riding facilities, especially if you are thinking of joining us in the future.

This session is also open to smaller group bookings throughout the April school holidays and can be made suitable for a range of people from beginner adult groups to kids birthday parties.

Contact Golden Hills to book a space

04/02/2023

Wahooo go Reece and Jade 🐴

14/01/2023

GH He’s A Lazy Invite, Q4272

Rising 4yr, Purebred QH gelding. Sire: 'Oh Goody He's Lazy' Import USA, Export Aus. Dam: 'Special Invitation'. 5 panel clear, USA 6139734 & AQHA-NZ registered and papered.
This boy is Now Been Started by James and Jozette Hazeldine and is completing a 8 week programme and be ready for his next adventure with you!!

One of our last two 'Oh Goody Hes Lazy' progeny left available. I have kept the older full sister and full brother so really rate this line and sadly don't have room or time for this fella so he is on the market. Will mature around the 16 hh mark. These lines are the best of 25 years of Quarter Horse breeding by Golden Hills Quarter Horse Stud. Both parents were talented proven National winners in Halter and performance events. Full brother 'GH This Ones A Goody' Lunge line, Halter, Hunter, and Western Pleasure and S.I Western Futurity Winner.
Video available by request
Contact by cell 0275472257 or email [email protected] for more information or viewing
Twelve thousand ONO

23/07/2022

We are so so proud of Reece and all he has accomplished. A prime example of where dedication, enthusiasm and hard work can get you. We will be cheering you all the way Reece Mahuika! 🏆 🐴 🥇

Introducing Reece Mahuika, all the way from the South Island proudly riding as a team member on the AQHA-NZ Youth Trans-Tasman Team 2022

05/07/2022

Great way to finish the term for these two riders, achieving some personal bests and jumping a new height. Well done Elsie and Riley and Natalia and Nadia. Lots of fun last night with Games week!

02/07/2022

Winter School Holiday Program -
• Introduction to Riding
A fun learning introduction session jam-packed with young people horsemanship skills and basic riding activities, includes a riding lesson in the arena and then a ride out along one of our many beautiful farm trails.
This offers a great introduction to our riding facilities, especially if you are thinking of joining us in the future
Date: Tuesday 19th
Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Cost: $80.00
Ability: This introduction to riding session is suitable for beginner riders, young riders or riders that are still learning to rise to the trot.

21/03/2022

Let’s get out and support a southern AGM!
Thanks AQHANZ, see y’all there 🐴

18/02/2022

17/02/2022

Well it’s a wrap! The end of a fantastic school holiday program for 2021/2022. Thanks for all those that attended, Baton River Run for your hospitality for another fabulous camp week. My helpers and staff Reece Mahuika and Frankie Hickman. Term riding lessons are in full swing again this week

20/01/2022

The girls are back and we can’t wait to start riding them - huge thank you to Catherine Ladd Catherine Ladd Performance Horses for the great start these girls have had

16/11/2021

The new website looks great! Nice work AQHA NZ Council members 👌🏼 the studbook is such an excellent resource for Quarterhorse owners across NZ 🐴

Welcome to AQHA-NZ The official breed association for the Quarter Horse in New Zealand. Forms Online Studbook Welcome to the AQHA-NZ The American Quarter Horse Association – NZ Inc is the official breed association for the Quarter Horse in New Zealand. Formed in 1970, the AQHA-NZ is a thriving, vi...

22/07/2021

Petitions are addressed to the House of Representatives and ask that the House do something about a policy or law, or put right a local or private concern.

02/04/2021

What an amazing day for Golden Hills Equestrain Center’s riders at Stonehurst Farm Equestrian attending a ‘working Cattle clinic ‘ with Justin Cooney Horsemanship. Big shout out to our patient trainer, Justin, fellow horseman Lawrence Max for welcoming us all to your top class facilities and to Andrea Colley Photos( also fellow Equestrian coach at Golden Hills Equestrian) for spending the day with us on the end of the lens. So much fun highly recommended can’t wait to get back.