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Put Yourself in the Picture at Ranchlands
Our Students range from ages 4 to 60 and come from diverse backgrounds. They all share a love of horses and a passion for riding.
Riding horses benefits people in many ways including fitness and flexibility, self confidence, mental agility and improved concentration. Horse riding builds skills for life and it's a lot of fun.
The Riding School has a friendly atmosphere with the more advanced students helping and encouraging the newer ones. For most students coming to class is the highlight of their week and many of them will make lifelong friendships here.
right Students Emma collins and Taylar Coughlan with instructor Ester Smith
and pony Trinket
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above Holly Roberton on Scarlett Right Holly & mum Theresa after winning a blue ribbon at Ayr Show in Rider class june 2008
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Holly Roberton started riding at Ranchlands at 3 1/2,
on her own shetland, she progressed to Houdini, at 4 she was rising to
the trot building up courage to canter, all under the ever patient Jo's
instruction. Now 5 Holly is cantering houdini unaided and has moved on
to Scarlett. She has never once not wanted to go to lessons, she loves
the horses and the whole experience. its ADDICTIVE
Holly's Mum (Theresa)
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pictured above Tia Liddelow with Becks |
From Tia -
I've always loved horses, but never confident enought to ride, but what I have learnt over the last year here at Ranchlands, has made be more confident. When starting lessons I thought I would get teased, and thought the others in the class would tell me they are much better than me, but I was wrong, everyone was so friendly and encouraging, and helped me a lot. I have a little secret ( I have never fallen off, but lets not jinx it)
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above Jarrad Oldershaw & Tangles
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Why I like Ranchlands- Jarrad
"At first I wasn't too keen - Mum said should try it because I like being around animals.
So I gave it a go. After my first lesson I wanted to learn more. I was cantering on my second lesson with Instructor Ester.
Then I was ready to join the group class. I thought it might be full of snobby girls-I was surprised to find everyone was friendly.
In this class I get to improve my riding skills do jumping and play games.
I get to ride a different horse each time..some I like better than others- that makes it interesting."
It has been over a year since I had my first lesson at Ranchlands I have moved away from Townsville and have my own horse Fin who is a good boy.
If I was in Townsville I would take him to Ranchlands.
I am glad I learned to ride and learned the skills to be confident around horses I look forward to learning more and competing.
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Elizabeth Soon-Schultz enjoying riding Scarlett, one
of the new horses for 2008
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Elizabeth Says
"I have been riding at Ranchlands since early 2007, in that time I have grown to know the insructors and the horses rather well and made heaps of friends. I love Ranchlands for its friendly atmosphere and its wonderful range of horses. Ranchlands always holds great Gymkhanas.
In the last Gymkhana I competed in, I rode Star who has just recently passed away, he helped me win one 1st , one 3rd and 3 4ths. I love all my experiences at Ranchlands, love all the horses dearly and look forward to my weekly lesson."
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left Lucy Downes with her own horse Wisdom Richard Meade in the background, as you can see they take their riding very serioulsy.
Lucy is 3 months pregnant, and intends to ride up to 7 months as she did before.
Both Riders board their horses here, as well as have lessons, Lucy
first learn to ride here as a 6 year old, and 30years later is still
here.
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Students 