Horse riding school specializing in safe & fun horse riding lessons for all ages. 7km from Uitenhage
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BallynaFagh Farm is nestled in the beautiful KruisRivier valley, just 7km from Uitenhage. We offer professional horse riding lessons, suitable for all experience levels and ages. We have qualified instructors and well-schooled ponies and horses. Beginner Lessons are R125 per person and Group Lessons are R225 per person per hour.
We're going on a bush hike...
On Saturday the 13th of April 2024...
The big question is...
How far will you walk?
1km, 3km, or 6km?
Let me know how far you're willing to hike in the comments below :)
The hike is 100% free; bring your own refreshments and padkos for the trail!
Make sure you send me a WhatsApp Message on 0619740290 and tell me you're 'optimal' distance for hiking ๐ช๐ฅพ
We'll leave no one behind ๐๐๐
The next few weeks are BUSY ones at the farm...
๐๐ด We have another Open Day (with better planning - always learning, eh? ๐
) coming up soon...
๐ฅพ๐ฅช We have a hike and 'padkos' in the beautiful veldt on the farm suitable for almost everyone (you don't have to be the world's most adventurous or fittest hiker)
๐ถ๐ A 'bring your dog' morning where we will be opening our 'dog walking trails' at the farm for a trial run - in return for some feedback...
๐๐And a brand new 4-week in-person live program... To be announced shortly ๐คซ
๐ We will also be running the same program, the BallynaFagh Blissful Bonds Program again - such amazing feedback coming through from that
So, how do you get to hear about all of these things - and get exclusive time limited discounts on all the offers?
By joining our Newsletter List, of course, ๐
Make sure you stay in the loop with everything that's going on at the farm by signing up at https://ballynafagh.co.za/newsletter
If you've ever interacted with a horse, then you'll already know...
Something special happens when we become present, increase our awareness, and simply enjoy the moment ๐
And what always amazes me is how, no matter how many different people the ponies interact with (such as Aisling here - she was really touched by a lot of people that day), it still feels special for each individual.
They truly are amazing animals ๐ด๐
Her first โrealโ day schooling over jumps since coming back into work in early Januaryโฆ
I think sheโs enjoying herself ๐๐ฆ
Up to this itโs been flatwork and her secret talent; mounted games - more on that another day ๐
Hoping that weโll see a lot more jumping going forwardโฆ
We all LOVE you Aisling ๐โค๏ธ๐โค๏ธ
Strike a Pose... ๐ธ ๐ฏโโ๏ธ ๐ด
Aisling and Cameron practicing their selfies ๐
Not too shabby Ladies, not too shabby โค๏ธ ๐
All set for this evening ๐๐ด๐
So you're not in the loop yet? ๐ฒ
Oh dear...
Let's get that sorted right here and now ๐
You see, every week, I send a letter (I was going to write a 'short letter', but some weeks that would not be true!) to all of the lovely people on our creatively named 'Newsletter List' ๐ฌ๐
And, going forward, there will be all sorts of treats, discounts, 'news', and everything in between so to make this well worth your while not just signing up for - but also opening and reading ๐๐
So, to get on this 'esteemed' list, simply follow the link - and sign up :)
https://ballynafagh.co.za/newsletter
โ๏ธAnd remember to find the email from BallynaFagh Farm (it might be in your junk or spam) and click the 'confirm' button...
This way we are all above board regarding me emailing you ๐
Tomorrow evening, we start our new 4-week program at the farm...
It's a 'horsey' program with a twist - there's NO riding involved; nope, not even once!
It is simply a group of adults working with a few special horses on the ground so that they can learn more about themselves - and their trusty 4 legged companions.
And while I've spoken a lot about this in the previous few email newsletters, I haven't even mentioned it here (so I thought now's as good a time as any to correct that!).
And, because I've spoken quite a bit about the program, I've gotten a fair few questions, which think will help if I also answer here :)
Questions like:-
โI can't ride, I've never ridden, or other questions about having to ride a horse...โ
๐:-To be clear, there is NO RIDING in this program. It is 100% 'groundwork' based. up, no saddles, no bridles... Groundwork only.
โCan I bring my own horse to work with?โ
๐:- Yes, of course. And you can choose if you would like to box, transport, or even ride your horse in and out each Wednesday, or board your horse for the 4 weeks of the program (no deposit or long-term contract required). And if you choose the boarding option, of course, you can also make full use of the facilities and the Livery Lesson Benefits for the 4 weeks :) Just reach out to me via WhatsApp at 061 974 0290, let me know what you would like to do and we can chat from there ๐๐ด๐
โI lack confidence around horses or am downright afraid of them, can I still participate?โ
๐:- Again, absolutely yes! I handpick the horses and ponies to suit each person for the program. And I can 100% guarantee you that the horses and ponies here on the farm are loving, trustworthy, and 'reliable'. They will help you to develop your confidence in both yourself and your abilities.
โCan 'Important Person/Significant Other' and I do this program together?โ
๐:- Yes, of course! I am 100% for couples, friends, or a parent and child combination doing the program. However, I will 'divide' you up so that you are each working with your own horse/pony. I feel that the discussions that will happen after the program will be just as beneficial as what each person learns about themselves during the program itself. I am also offering a discount for situations like this.
โ
So, if you think that, maybe, the BallynaFagh Blissful Bonds Program could be a fit for you, reach out to me on WhatsApp at 061 974 0290, tell me your specific questions or concerns, and I will give you the most honest answer I can to help you make your decision.
Remember, I only want people who are 100% all in to participate in the program, so if I feel that it's not a fit for you, I'll tell you ๐ โค๏ธ
You can get all the details over at https://ballynafagh.co.za/bliss
๐ด๐ Open Day - 100% Free and All Are Welcome ๐๐ด
We are inviting you and your loved ones to join us on Saturday the 2nd of March 2024 as we open the farm up to new people...
And we're dangling a few 'carrots' for all the newbies...
๐ Free Pony Rides
๐ธ Free Photo Booth that includes a Pony!
๐ A Chance to Win one of 4 Demo Riding Lessons
๐จ A Pony Painting Session
๐โ๐ฆบ And maybe, just maybe, if we garner enough interest - and the stars align - a dog walk around the farm with all dogs on a lead - and, obviously, well socialised with others! ๐ถ
For more information, reach out via WhatsApp at 061 974 0290
๐ We would LOVE to see you at the Farm on Saturday ๐
We have lessons happening every Friday and Saturdayโฆ
Make your little persons weekend extra special by booking them in for one ๐๐ด๐ฆ
Reach out on WhatsApp to reserve a saddle ๐
What's the 'best age' for someone to start horse riding lessons?
Great question ๐
And, like a lot of great questions, the answer is 'it depends!'.
'On what?'... Oh, lots!
๐ Some riders start when they are between 3 and 7 years old because it helps them with their coordination and confidence, and they get to safely connect with animals MUCH larger than themselves, which helps them develop their communication skills ๐ด
๐ Some riders start anywhere between 8 and 14...
For these riders, it's developing their leadership skills and self-awareness that really seems to help them at this point on their journey through life. And it is a great way to encourage activity and allows them to enjoy the great outdoors ๐ฟ
๐ Some pick up horse riding from 16 to 22, and my experience has been that the horses and being at the yard is the perfect 'downtime' from the pressures of studying and exams. Each week they leave the yard visibly refreshed - and of course it also helps develop those all-important communication, self-awareness, and leadership skills ๐ ๐๐ณ
๐ Some riders start for the first time a little later in life. Maybe the children have started school and there's a free morning or two. Or the children have left the house and now there's actually free time (and more money) to spend on themselves doing something they've always wanted to do ๐ ๐
๐ And then there are the riders who are coming back to riding after a break... Often they were regular riders at one point before - until life and/or circumstances got in the way. I really love working with these riders; they tend to appreciate every interaction and experience with the horses a little bit more (probably because they have also experienced losing that as well) ๐ดโค๏ธ๐ด
Either way, the point I want to make is that almost every age is the perfect age to begin or restart a journey with horses... ๐ฆ๐ง๐ง๐ต๐ด
If you're keen to find out more about lessons, reach out via WhatsApp and I'll get back to you with all of the details. Maybe you (or someone you love) can be in the saddle by this time next week!
๐ด๐ Groom & Ride a Pony! ๐ด๐
A one-day Pony Camp for complete beginners or nervous riders.
Spend 4 hours at the farm learning how to groom, tack up, ride, and look after your own pony :)
Suitable for children aged 4 to 12 - even if they have never ridden before.
Included in the Camp, they will get a full 1-hour horse riding lesson...
And a mini trail ride so they can enjoy the beautiful setting from the back of a kind, caring pony ๐ณ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ณ
There are two dates available; Tuesday 27th of June and Thursday 29th of June.
Spaces are limited in order to make sure everyone is safe, comfortable, and well looked after ๐๐๐๐
WhatsApp Lorna @ 0728724032 for more details and to reserve a space!
Something is happening...
Quite a few 'things' actually!
This school holidays, we are going back in time; right back to Pony Camp!
We have 3 different options for riders (or maybe 'want to test the waters' riders) and I am so excited to share them with you!
Over the coming few days, I will let you know all about the different adventures we are busy crafting for our riders.
But - if you want to know all the juicy details right now...
You can just WhatsApp me and I'll send them on to you :)
- Yes, I will be 'Chief in Charge' during the camps (I being Lorna ๐!)
- Yes, the Little People can be dropped off earlier and collected later if lifts, times, and work are not coming together ๐.
- And Yes, it will be a STABLE load of fun - every day - my personal promise ๐!
Best way to reach out?
Trusty old WhatsApp at 0728724032.
But sending a FB message will work as well - although not as promptly (just being honest!).
Oh, winter...
You are well and truly here now!
If ever there was a case for gloves and beanies, Saturday morning was it!
"I think you missed a couple of spots back there Noah"...
Good old Max overseeing that his grooming gets done right ๐
And Noah enjoying a reward afterward for his efforts ๐
And just like that... There's water again.
This was just the beginning of it as the river began to rise on Sunday.
So good...
It was a HOT oneโฆ
But we all won ๐
๐๐ฅต
I'm curious...
If you or your Little Person has been wanting to ride a horse - but has never booked a lesson; what's the reason?
Enjoying life together ๐
2 amazing weeks of working with riders...
A full month ago now...
And all I took was this 1 videoโฆ
ANDโฆ I'm so late to share it as well ๐
To set the scene...
It was on the wettest day... The final Thursday of the Pony Camps.
All of my lovely riders got a true Irish equestrian experience - they all rode twice for well over an hour in the rain - in a single day ๐
๐ช
With a real Irish accent 'encouraging' them along...๐ฎ๐ชโ๏ธ๐
It was an amazing day and I loved every damp, wet, and cold minute...
Which is probably why, in a moment of pure inspiration, I whipped out the phone and took a quick video - "the first of many" I assured them all... ๐๐๐
And yet, I should have known better because, all joking aside, anyone who has ever trained with me knows that photos, videos, and 'social media' are the furthest thing from my mind when we are in the arena and working together. (And after re-reading that, I'm pretty sure we can also add time to that list ๐)
That, and, I really do struggle to hold a phone and follow something - while still actually focusing on what that 'something' is doing in the moment!
How do other people do this?! ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ
Kerry and Ammaarah were fantastic - they actually jumped higher than this without reins (but see the above-mentioned challenge of mine as the reason for the lack of photographic material).
Soโฆ A quick synopsisโฆ
The camps were amazing.
I LOVED every minute of them...
We have already decided that the upcoming October one will have actual camping... ๐
And... I seriously think we need to organize a photographer for that as well ๐ธ๐น๐
So "Operation Limerick" began here at the farm this morning...
I know, the name seems a little random - and yet, there's a really good reason for it...
Let me explain...
You see, it seems that we are going to receive a little rain over the coming two days ๐ ๐ง๏ธ ๐ฅณ (I know, the irony of an Irish woman wishing for and then celebrating rain is not lost on me โ๏ธ)...
And, we're fortunate enough to have those lovely big warm, dry, stables; so everyone pitched in, to get them ready for tonight's VIP guests ๐
The reason I called this morning 'Operation Limerick' is because this kind of weather always reminds me of the year I spent in Limerick studying for my BHS exams.
You see, Limerick is not just the name of a short, funny poem...
It is a beautiful county in the southwest of Ireland.
Honestly, it truly is picturesque; I stayed close to the village of Adare and it is really one of those storybook villages (give it a search on the Google to see for yourself).
And yet...
I am also pretty certain that Limerick is one of the wettest places in Ireland!
It felt like it rained EVERY SINGLE DAY...
And we worked horses, lunged horses, and plodded through infinite amounts of muck on every one of those above-mentioned days...
I kid you not, it was fairly epic!
Luckily there were a couple of great pubs in the village where we could thaw out and warm up ๐
So, if you are ever blessed enough to find yourself in Ireland; firstly, consider today and tomorrow as a great bit of training for you ๐ฎ๐ช
And secondly, make sure you visit Adare; even in the rain it truly is beautiful ๐
So, here's to "Operation Limerick" and long may this wonderful rain last โ
And if you would like to find out more about how your horse can be snug as a bug in one of our stables the next time it rains (oh please let it be soon...), let me know using the link below and I'll send you the details ๐
https://ballynafagh.co.za/boarding/
๐๐ด Pony Camps ๐ด๐
Possibly the most fun few days in the great outdoors?!
This upcoming school holidays we are hosting two camps, beginners and advanced, which means that there's something for everyone.
And, you don't have to currently attend lessons at the farm in order to sign up.
In fact, we would love to see a few new (or past) faces through the gate come Camp Day 1 ๐คฉ
The times are flexible, so if your Little Person needs to be dropped earlier, or collected later, we are happy to help find a solution that suits you.
You can get more information over at:-
https://ballynafagh.co.za/camp
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Saturday | 08:00 - 13:00 |
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Everything has its ups and downs... Working with and looking after horses is no different. There are the days when it feels like the BEST job in the world. You know, the 'hugs', whinnys, lazy grooming sessions, training breakthroughs, and the privilage of getting to know each and every individual. And then there are those other days... Now, without embarrassing or calling out any specific individuals (if you know, you know!), there are the days when a fence is just something to run through, when one horse tries to annihilate all of the others in the field, when gates are for jumping or busting through, human feet are for tramping on, or blankets and rugs are there to be destroyed... And yet, I bet like all other people who get to work with these amazing animals every single day, I wouldn't swap it for the world! (oh and Holly the dog is fine, a devil thorn in her paw ๐ถ๐พ) #ballynafaghfarm #workingwithhorses #wouldnthaveitanyotherway #horseridinguitenhage
Sitting here, I could 'almost' be fooled into believing that the drought doesn't exist, eh? It's so beautiful & peaceful by the river... Praying for rain and day dreaming about green fields & muddy puddles ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ง
2 amazing weeks of working with riders... A full month ago now... And all I took was this 1 videoโฆ ANDโฆ I'm so late to share it as well ๐ To set the scene... It was on the wettest day... The final Thursday of the Pony Camps. All of my lovely riders got a true Irish equestrian experience - they all rode twice for well over an hour in the rain - in a single day ๐ ๐ช With a real Irish accent 'encouraging' them along...๐ฎ๐ชโ๏ธ๐ It was an amazing day and I loved every damp, wet, and cold minute... Which is probably why, in a moment of pure inspiration, I whipped out the phone and took a quick video - "the first of many" I assured them all... ๐๐๐ And yet, I should have known better because, all joking aside, anyone who has ever trained with me knows that photos, videos, and 'social media' are the furthest thing from my mind when we are in the arena and working together. (And after re-reading that, I'm pretty sure we can also add time to that list ๐) That, and, I really do struggle to hold a phone and follow something - while still actually focusing on what that 'something' is doing in the moment! How do other people do this?! ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ Kerry and Ammaarah were fantastic - they actually jumped higher than this without reins (but see the above-mentioned challenge of mine as the reason for the lack of photographic material). Soโฆ A quick synopsisโฆ The camps were amazing. I LOVED every minute of them... We have already decided that the upcoming October one will have actual camping... ๐ And... I seriously think we need to organize a photographer for that as well ๐ธ๐น๐ #horseridinguitenhage #ballynafaghfarm #easterncape
Goodbyes are hard... Last Saturday we said farewell to one of the few remaining O.G's on the farm, Cordoba. However, there is a wonderful silver lining to this story; he has gone to be reunited with his 'Mom', @Eldi , again up in the Northern Cape where she now lives โค๏ธ I'm not sure what was going on in his mind regarding this new chapter of his life - he has been at BallynaFagh since we collected him from the track in early 2010... (12 years ago). And in chilled out Cordoba style, he was a cool as a cucumber setting off on his new adventure ๐ฅ๐ I'm glad to report that he is doing great at his new quarters - and I am 100% sure that he will enjoy every moment of being pampered by his Mom. Wishing you nothing but the best 'Big Fella'; I know you will enjoy every moment up there with Eldi ๐
Saterday morning vibes at #ballyfarm chocolate cake party!! We already have had 2 chocolate cakes in the last 2 weeks... definitely some major fall queens at the yard!! P.S. I brought a Gauteng yard rule along with me, if you fall of... next lesson we celebrate with a chocolate cake ๐ ๐๐คฉ๐ฅณ๐ค ๐ฆ Thanks Chanke!!!
Just yesterday we were talking about how badly rain is needed.... well I guess you could say prayers were answered.. 40ml on the farm last night and a bunch of happy ponies, happy trees and happy fields!!!
I often feel a little disappointed that time constraints (and the current situation) prevents us from allowing some of the riders here experience the benefits of 'preparing' to ride your horse. It really and truly does help with connection and the overall ride itself Someone suggested way around all of this (for now) is to allow riders to hire a pony or horse for the day. Simply choose your favourite horse or pony and then come and spend a few hours... 1. A ride along or across the river 2. Grooming 3. Braiding or plaiting manes & tails 4. A picnic together; rider, horse, & the whole family :) 5. Natural horsemanship 6. Groundwork 7. Riding! 8. An outride/hack on the road 9. Practicing your riding while going on the road... 10. Bringing the whole family for a walk/ride around the farm 11. Leading your horse in-hand 12. Reading a book while your horse munches some hay beside you 13. Letting your pony or horse graze some 'new' grass in-hand 14. An outride with a friend 15. Practicing what you did in your last lesson 16. Improving your aids for your riding while standing on the ground with your horse 17. Practicing mounted games 18. A leg/face massage for your horse 19. Baking some treats that you then share together 20. A full body massage for your pony 21. Improving your riding fitness levels 22. Or just brushing your horses tail while listening to the birds and enjoying the winter sun on your face So many ways to enjoy your horse, nature, and winter while keeping safe and breathing fresh air. And all the while helping create that all important rhythm. If you are interested in hiring one of the ponies for a day at an affordable rate, simply get in touch and we'll get back to you with all of the details. All tack, equipment, and some hay will be disinfected (not the hay ;), ready, and waiting for you (and/or) your Little Person, and the horse or pony you request
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BallynaFagh Farm is nestled in the beautiful KruisRivier valley, just 7km from Uitenhage. We offer professional horse riding lessons, suitable for all experience levels and ages. We have qualified instructors and well schooled ponies and horses. Beginner Lessons are R125 per person and Novice Group Lessons are R200 per person per hour. Full Stabled Livery is also available at R3500 for horses and R2900 for ponies, which includes lucern and feed.
