NZ Station Clinic - North Island - Ben Longwell

Station Clinic - Mangawatu, North Island: Sun 28 Feb - Sat 6, Mar 2027

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 station near Akatio on the Coast of the North 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 and adventure on the stunning Marainanga Station on the Manawatu Coast 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.

This year both accommodation and meals are included in this package. Participants will be strictly limited to 10.

Where:

We will be travelling to the stunning Marainanga Station, situated on the East Coast in Manawatu. Marainanga Station is a truly spectacular that will offer us the chance to experience something special with rolling hills, native bush, high country pastures, rivers, beach access on the doorstep, and sweeping vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see.

When:

Arrival is on the Station is after 4pm on Sunday 28th Feb and departure before 10am on Saturday 6th Mar, 2027

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 on Marainanga Station is in the beautifully renovated, historic Shearers Quarters. There are 12 bedrooms, bathroom facilities with 3 showers, 2 living rooms and a huge deck – so there will be room for everyone to have their own bedroom and this is where we will eat meals together.

Food:

3 Meals are provided in your package starting with continental breakfast, lunches either at the quarters or packed up for a picnic on the trail, dinner with dessert. Alcohol is byo. Please feel free to bring your own snacks or baking for in between.

Horses:

You are required to bring all hay and feed for the week (as depending on the rain fall – little/no grass will be in the paddock we overnight in). 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 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 8 guests on the trip and a maximum group size of 10. 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 behavior 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:

Prices are charged in US$ and the NZ$ rate below are approximates based on exchange rate in May 2026 of NZ$1.68.

US$1747 per person (approx. NZ$2935) [this is clinic fee of US$1000/NZ$1680 + accommodation/meals/horse boarding/station riding fee of US$747/NZ$1255]

Payments:

A US$500/NZ$840 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot on the clinic with the below form. Final payment of US$1250 can be split to two payments of US$625 on Oct 1st & Dec 1st, or paid in full on December 1st.

All payments are non-refundable. 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 – we may have someone on the waiting list willing to take your spot – but if not – it is your responsibility to find a replacement rider. If we are able to fill your space you will be refunded less a US$50 admin fee.

So… are you coming with us?

Ben’s previous Station Clinics have always sold out and we only have 1 North Island and 1 South Island public Station Clinic in NZ this year – 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!