Station Clinic - North Island: Sun 4 - Sat 10 Feb 2024
The return of Ben Longwell’s famous Station Clinic! This clinic combines both our On The Trail Horsemanship Clinic and our Cattlworking Clinic for a very special week on a station in 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 on the stunning Te Akatea Station in Waikato 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.
Where:
We will be travelling to the stunning Te Akatea Station in Waikato, located 40mins drive from Hamilton on the North Island of New Zealand.
When:
Arrival on the Station is from 4pm on Sunday 4th Feb and departure before 10am on Saturday 10th Feb, 2024
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:
This is a camping clinic, so be prepared to camp in your float/tent/vehicle. We do have the use of the restored shearers’ quarters, which includes 7 beds in 4 bedrooms we can use (first in first served). The quarters also has a well-equipped kitchen, spacious lounge and dining area, BBQ on deck, 1 toilet, 3 showers and a washing machine.
Room #1 – 1 single bed
Room #2 – 1 queen bed
Room #3 – 1 king & 1 single
Room #4 – 1 queen & 1 bunk
Food:
As Ben is flying in, we are unable to cater this clinic. 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 terrain on the Station and some of the rides, it is recommended your horses 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 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$1100 (approx. NZ$1800) per person [clinic fee of NZ$1300 + accommodation/horse boarding/station riding fee of NZ$500]
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$800 (approx. NZ$1300) is due December 31st.
All payments are non-refundable. Payments on the booking form are charged in US$ 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?
Bens 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!
