Christchurch, NZ: 3 Day Horsemanship Clinic
3 Day Horsemanship Clinic – Suits Ridden Horses at Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Horsemanship Levels.
Booking: Please fill out form below – a non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking to secure your space.
Clinic Format: Our Horsemanship Clinic format will have participants split into 2 small groups of riders with a max of 8 in each group (beg-int & int-adv groups are based on rider & horse ability). The focus will be on feel, communication, leadership and progressing on the horse/rider relationship. Each group will have a practical 1.5hr session with their horse in morning and afternoon. A huge benefit of these clinics is you get a shorter session with more 1-on-1 time with Ben to really concentrate on personal progress. You then have the bonus to have a soaking/breathing time while spectating the other group’s sessions – learning from a huge range or situations which you can then apply to your horsemanship journey as well.
Date: October, Friday 9th, Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Where: Indoor Arena, Selwyn Equestrian Centre, 126 Kivers Road, Christchurch
Cost: US$550 (approx NZ$900) per participant (for all 3 days) + arena fee
Indoor Arena Fee: NZ$120 per participant (for all 3 days)
Spectators: NZ$35 per person, per day
Overnight Horses: Stables NZ$25 per day, Yards NZ$10 per day. Bring all hay/feed and cash with you for pens.
People Overnight: Bunk room per person per night is NZ$45, Overnight stay in own truck or float per person is NZ$15. Bring cash for overnight or book directly with Selwyn.
**Please Note: Participants strictly limited to 16 (max of 8 in each group). Age minimum for participants is 16yrs and up. No green horses. Spaces in the Clinic are run on a first-in first-served basis, with your spot confirmed by a non-refundable 50% (approx. NZ$430) deposit, due at time of booking. If for some reason you have paid the non-refundable deposit, but are unable to make the clinic, you will only be refunded if you are able to find a rider to replace your spot or if the clinic is full and there is a waiting list with someone who would like to take your spot. If the clinic does not meet our minimum numbers and we have to cancel, you will be refunded in full.
Clinic Description
Horsemanship is not discipline-specific or just something we “do” with our horses. It is all about understanding and communication – a way of being with our horses that fits the horse. The emphasis in all Clinics 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. All Clinics are flexible based on participant’s skill/experience levels. Time will be spent both on the ground doing foundational ground work and mounted, transferring those lessons learned on the ground to the ridden work.
Subjects covered may include (but are not limited to)
• Groundwork – Beyond the exercises to meaning/purpose
• Understanding True Body Language
• The Difference Between the Direct Feel and Indirect Feel
• Recognizing Response vs. Reaction or Resistance
• Leadership and the Feet/Mind Connection
• Problem Solving From the •Perspective of the Horse
• How to Successfully be a Leader for a Dominant Horse
• Developing Mental and Emotional “OKness”
• Riding Through Signal & Balance
• Bringing Clarity to Ridden Communication – Seat, Legs, Hands
• Principles of Stockmanship Including Flight Zone and Balance Point
• Building Partnership With Your Horse Through Shared Purpose
• Understanding True Body Language Through The Principles Of Stockmanship
• Practical Cattlework Including Tracking, Rating, Sorting, Boxing
• Building Awareness and Observation Skills
• Advancing Refinement, Maneuverability & Accuracy
• Understanding How to Apply Lateral Movements in a Practical Setting
AND MUCH MORE!!
Booking: Christchurch Horsemanship
