Station Clinic - Otago, South Island: Sun 14 - Sat 20, Feb 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 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 and adventure on the stunning Linnburn Station in Otago 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 (some used in Lord Of The Rings filming) 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 Linnburn Station, nestled deep in the heart of the Maniototo, Central Otago. The historic Linnburn Station is a spectacular 23,000-acre high country station practicing regenerative agriculture that offers the chance to experience something truly special with endless rolling hills, open tussock-covered valleys, and sweeping vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see.
When:
Arrival is on the Station is after 4pm on Sunday 14th Feb and departure before 10am on Saturday 20th Feb, 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 Linburn Station is in the beautiful historic homestead. There are 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms in the homestead and we will be using a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom station cottage as overflow (if everyone books separate room). The homestead will be where we eat our meals together and has 2 huge livingrooms and outdoor space to gather.
There are 2 accomodation options this year (reflected in price below).
Option 1: own bedroom
Option 2: shared bedroom (couple or friends)
Food:
3 Meals are provided in your package starting with continental breakfast, lunches either at the homestead or packed up for a picnic on the trail, dinner with station raised meats and seasonal vegetables. Non-alcoholic drinks provided, alcohol is byo. Please feel free to bring your own snacks for in between.
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 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.
Option 1: own bedroom: US$1800per person (approx. NZ$3025) [this is clinic fee of US$1000/NZ$1680 + accommodation/meals/horse boarding/station riding fee of US$800/NZ$1345]
Option 2: shared bedroom: US$1565 per person (approx. NZ$2630) [this is clinic fee of US$1000/NZ$1680 + accommodation/meals/horse boarding/station riding fee of US$565/NZ$950]
Payments:
A US$500 (approx NZ$840) non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot on the clinic with the below form.
Final payment of US$1300 (own room) or US $1065 (shared room) can be split to two payments of US$650 or US $533 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$100 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!
Waitlist: South Island Station Clinic
This Clinic is now fully booked. Please fill out the waitlist form below in case we have someone need to pull out because of a horse injury.
