We provide trained horses for beginners through to advanced riders, together with coaches who have a wide range of teaching and riding experience. Clients can choose a variety of ways to learn or improve their riding.

Private lessons

Private lessons allow for one-on-one tuition and are an excellent way to focus on acquiring or improving riding skill. Private lessons are held in one of the Centre’s arenas and can run for either an hour or half an hour (including mounting, dismounting, warming up and cooling down time). Half hour sessions can be a good introduction, while building fitness and concentration, and are also excellent for children. They are, of course, limited in the amount of material that can be covered - one hour sessions provide more opportunity to practise and therefore advance. You can choose a specific coach (see Papillon coaches) or choose a time that suits you and we will match you with an available coach. Private lessons can cover the basics (getting on, getting off, sitting on a horse, walking, steering, rising trot, changing direction, cantering) or they can be used to refine existing skills and to work on more advanced movements. While we have coaches very experienced in general riding and teaching beginners, a number of our coaches are themselves experienced dressage riders and can also train others at this level.

Shared/Group lesson

Shared lessons are for two riders, while group lessons are for a maximum three riders (to ensure each rider gets some attention during the lesson). These run for an hour and are held in one of the Centre’s arenas. They are good for riders who like their riding experience to be more sociable and can be shared by friends or partners. Shared/Group lessons are also less expensive per rider than private lessons.

Park rides

Escorted park rides can be a good way to practise some existing riding skills in a different environment, or they can be suitable for beginners. The ride begins at the Stables and crosses Lang Road to Centennial Park, where we make a circuit of the Park, using the horse track. A circuit typically takes 45 mins and would usually involve walking and some trotting for experienced Papillon clients.

Pony Leads

These are suitable for children who are quite young or who do not have enough experience to ride on their own. Children are led by a Papillon staff member, either around the Centre (15 mins) or, depending on the weather and park closures, across to Centennial Park and back (30 mins).

Pony leads can be shared by more than one child (depending on their size) ie: A 15 min pony lead could be shared by two children, each taking a turn at riding. A 30 min pony lead could be shared by two or three children. The price remains the same, even if children share. In our experience, a 15 minute pony lead is best suited to very young children – say 2-5 years, while the longer 30 minute session suits older children.

Junior Riding Camps

These popular three-day camps are suitable for young children (six years and older) or for those who would like an introduction to horses and riding. Camps run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 4pm. Each day involves a group riding lesson, a ride to Centennial Park (weather permitting), lessons in grooming, tacking up and general care of the horse, as well as horse handling tips. When not working with the horses, participants can spend time on horse quizes, colouring in or reading one of our many horse books. All participants receive a Camp Workbook containing information about what they're learning over the three days, as well as horse-related games and puzzles. Lots of fun for littlies! Camps are held in school holidays - contact Papillon for the next available dates.

Riding Workouts

These three-day Workouts are for riders who are confident at the walk and trot and who have started, or are ready to start, canter work. They suit riders who are riding regularly - at least once a week or fortnight. Over the course of each three-day Workout, a Papillon coach will take riders through a series of games and exercises to expand and consolidate ability and confidence. All participants receive a Workout workbook covering what they're learning over the three days. As Workouts are for more established riders, anyone not a current Papillon client who wishes to enrol will be given a free 20 minute riding assessment prior to booking, to ensure they have the skills to participate fully in the Workout. Workouts are held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 3pm during school holidays - contact Papillon for the next available dates.

Riding Clinics

Papillon offers one-day Clinics throughout the year for riders who are established at walk, trot and canter, who would like to take their riding further. Each Clinic involves a group riding session, as well as one-on-one tuition, plus discussion and observation of other riders. Participants can ride Papillon horses or their own. Each participant can bring their own goals to the Clinic or establish a goal during the initial session. Overall, the Clinics aim to improve each rider's understanding of the horse and the harmony between horse and rider. Participating in a Clinic provides an excellent basis for future dressage, eventing, jumping or pleasure riding. To ensure individual attention, Clinic numbers are very limited. As Clinics are for established riders, anyone not a current Papillon client who wishes to enrol will be given a free 20 minute riding assessment prior to booking, to ensure they have the skills to participate fully in the Clinic. Contact Papillon for the next available Clinic.

Adults Only – 3 Day Riding Camp

Why should kids have all the fun?? Papillon will run a 3 day Camp for adults in 2011 (outside of school holidays) from 10.30am to 3.30pm each day. A Papillon coach will work with each participant to define a goal to be worked on over the 3 days. Each day will include a group as well as a private lesson, plus debriefings and observation of other riders. Horse care will be included in discussions, focusing on any areas of specific interest to participants.

The Camp is only suitable for adult riders well established at walk, trot and canter. Riders can ride Papillon horses or their own. Numbers will be very limited to ensure individual attention. Anyone not a current Papillon client who wishes to enrol will be given a free 20 minute riding assessment prior to booking, to ensure they have the skills to participate fully in the Camp. Contact Papillon to register interest in the 2011 camp.

Part Leasing Opportunities

Part leasing may be an additonal option for riders who have the time to ride more than once a week and who are confident riding by themselves. Part leasing effectively means involves hiring out a particular horse at specified times during each week - times which are worked out to suit the rider, horse and Papillon's other bookings. For further information, please contact the Papillon Riding Stables owner, Sigrid Schaerf, to discuss.

Schedule of fees: