Station Clinic - South Island: Sun 9 - Sat 15, Feb 2025
The return of Ben Longwell’s famous Station Clinic! This clinic combines 3 of our clinics (Horsemanship, Cattleworking/Stockmanship and On The Trail Horsemanship Clinics) for a very special week on a high country station in the South Island of New Zealand!
If you are interested in advancing your horsemanship but also looking for an adventurous getaway with some like-minded people passionate about horses – then our Station Clinic is for you!!!
Bring your horse and join Ben for an adventurous week of education on horsemanship, communication & stockmanship. You will get to stay on the stunning Castleridge Station in Canterbury with fun clinic-style education in the mornings, using the cattlework to improve and advance your understanding of horsemanship and ability to communicate. Practical lessons out on the trail each afternoon include enjoying the exceptional scenery while strengthening your partnership with your horse, plus the possibility of helping out with some cattle work if the station requires.
Accommodation is included in this package. Meals/drinks are BYO. Participants will be strictly limited to 8.
Where:
We will be travelling to the stunning Castleridge Station, located 1hr drive from Ashburton in the South Island of New Zealand.
When:
Arrival is on the Station is after 4pm on Sunday 9th Feb and departure before 10am on Saturday 15th Feb, 2025
Activities:
You will have the opportunity to advance your riding skills to the next level with Ben – both in a clinic environment (horsemanship & stockmanship) in the mornings and learning while out on the trail in the afternoons with the possibility of helping out with some cattle work if the station requires.
The emphasis in Horsemanship is always on learning to communicate more effectively through “feel”, timing, and balance, building a working relationship based on respect and trust between horse & rider. Ben will also teach Stockmanship – which is the art of handling cattle horseback in a low stress and humane manner.
Riding/Horse Ability:
As you will be ‘in the saddle’ for most of the week – and the majority of guests will not be used to this, this trip is not designed for green horses or beginner riders.
Accommodation:
The accommodation is in the rustic shearers’ quarters. As our maximum number of riders is 10, there will be lots of space to spread out for sleeping:
Main Quarters
Room #1 – 10 beds (5 bunks)
Room #2 – 5 beds (2 bunks, 1 single)
Second Quarters (just behind main)
Room #3 – 4 single beds
Room #4 – 3 single beds
Room #5 – 2 single beds
The quarters also has two toilets, shower, washing machine, fully equipped kitchen with microwave, full oven, dishwasher, lounge and BBQ on deck.
Food:
Participants are responsible to bring all their own food or may like to join forces and arrange a dinner cooking plan between everyone. A full kitchen and bbq is available for cooking.
Horses:
You are required to bring all hay and feed for the week as little/no grass will be in the paddock. We have been allocated 1 large paddock so bring own tape/standards and water bucket to make a space for your horse.
Horses Shod or Boots:
Because of the rocky nature of the terrain on the Station and some of the rides, your horses will need to be shod or have boots (we don’t want any horse becoming lame day 1 and the owner having to sit out the week of riding)
Group Size & Age Restriction:
We have a minimum of 6 guests on the trip and a maximum group size of 8. The trip is designed for those 16 years and over.
Alcohol/Smoking:
Alcohol is BYO – please keep in mind that we are guests on the station (and would like to be invited back) – so behaviour should be reflected with this in mind. No alcohol is permitted prior to or during riding activities. No smoking inside buildings or around animals & kids.
Travel Insurance:
Feel free to book your own travel insurance (this price is not included in the package price). Please make sure you are covered for horse riding! All payments for this trip are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend for some reason and would like a refund – it is your responsibility to find a replacement rider to take your spot – we also may have someone on the waiting list willing to take it.
Cost:
US$1000 (approx. NZ$1660) per person [clinic fee of NZ$1300 + accommodation/horse boarding/station riding fee of NZ$360]
Payments:
A US$300 (approx. NZ$500) non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot on the clinic – which you may book and pay on the form below. Final payment of US$700 (approx. NZ$1160) is due December 31st.
All payments are non-refundable. Payments on the booking form are charged in US$ with current exchange rate. You are more than welcome to book travel insurance once you have decided to come. If you are unable to attend for some reason and would like a refund – it is your responsibility to find a replacement rider to take your spot or we also may have someone on the waiting list willing to take it.
So… are you coming with us?
Ben’s previous Station Clinics have always sold out and we only have 1 in the North Island and 1 in the South Island this time – so don’t miss out on this an amazing opportunity for those who are interested in advancing their horsemanship but also looking for an adventurous getaway with their horse and some like minded people passionate about horses!
Booking Form: Station Clinic 9-15 Feb 2025
