On- Line Lesson options
No need to wait for me to be in your area - you can now train with me on-line live with a scheduled live lesson (using zoom, skype or pivo) or we can review a video together via a zoom meeting. Zoom meeting allows for us to have instant Q and A while reviewing your video and the option to review longer video.
Live on line lessons $70 (45 mins)
Review lessons will depend on time involved but allow $40-$60
Message me to arrange a time! Click here
Feelika the Riding Simulator has arrived
Feelika is a Joker Horse Simulator imported from Holland.
On Feelika you can focus on yourself, she won't spook, buck, rear or spin but neither will she compensate for you. Discover and analyse your level of balance, pelvis weighting, thigh connection, foot placement and alignment. Learn how you need to move, balance and time your aids to synch with , influence and improve your horse.
Using Franklin balls, bands, weights, anatomical models and imagery, Julie will guide you through movement patterns and off horse exercises to help you move better, increase tone and tensegrity and be a better load for your horse to carry. Feelika won't be shy, she will give you instant feedback!
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Valenca Academy Clinic - With Sofia Valenca February 7-9 2025
We are very excited to have Sofia returning in early 2025, after having to postpone the 2024 clinic due to arrival of a grandchild!
Venue: Bartley's Riding Academy Indoor arena, Whitford, Auckland
Limited lesson spots are available - ridden and/or in-hand
Auditor packages available
HOYS 2020
It was a great pleasure to attend the show this year to support and work in several clients over a number of disciplines, enjoy the great weather, shopping, horses and stay with my good friends Jen and David Yule.
Kyrie Gausden and I Romulus were Grade V Para Equestrian of the year
Janna Borich was 3rd in show rider of the year and sixth in Paced and Mannered Show Hunter of the year with Tiki Tour BM (aka Geoffrey - photo top left)
Jock McLennan and Tolley 3rd in 5 year old show jumper of the year (photo bottom left)
Ridewell Trainwell Classical Riding in Portugal with the Valenca Family
Julie took a group of clients for a 10 day visit to Valenca Classical Riding Academy in Lisbon in July 2019.
We had amazing riding with 14 lessons and 6 in-hand work experiences. We got to experience a carousel ride and pull off a performance on the last day - What a blast! The photo shows the Carousel horses and the Ridewell Trainwell group.
Our trip included: visits to a stud farm, the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, A day down to the south coast to be tourists for a day and watch an evening performance of the Valenca Classical riders and horses plus two days touristing the to castle and gardens of Sintra Obidos.
Julie stayed on after the group tour to catch up with friend Nicole Giger and do more training with Valenca Academy.
Aljezur (Jez) had a very Champion visit to Clevedon A and P show 2018
Competing in the Iberian ring he took out Champion Ridden Iberian, Reserve Champion In-hand Performance Iberian and Julie was Champion Rider
Aljezur (Jez) is now under saddle
Jez completed his foundation training with Jody Hartstone and Holly Moorman at Hartstone Equestrian in December 2017. It was exciting to have my first ride a couple of days before Christmas and he came home just before New Year.
The photo is our first ever canter together. He's a real dude. Our plan is to train just 4 days a week with lots of fun - going out hacking, a bit of arena work, pole work and liberty. Each month he'll have a week off to recharge the batteries and we'll see how things are progressing by mid year.
Judith Hayes wins at the Flying Horse Dressage NZ Masters Performance awards:
Congratulations to Judith Hayes and her lovely homebred gelding Amaethon Bassanio (aka Nio) who cleaned up the Section 2 Championship, and took out the North Island High points and Overall Amateur Owner titles - with a maximum score of 100 and an average of over 73%! A lot of loot and was fun to go to with Judith to the awards and Dressage NZ conference in Blenheim. Of course we snuck off for a little wine tasting and to catch up with Sue Rudler of Saddles 4 U (Harry Dabbs saddles).
Judith and Nio also took out the level 1 accumulator championship for Dressage Waitemata and the Most Points over all levels.
Janna going to Australia to represent NZ in the showing team
Janna Borich and her lovely Tiki Tour BM (Geoff) have had a stellar season in the show ring. Janna competes Geoff in saddle hunters and rider classes. She was crowned NZ Show Horse Council national champion senior rider at the showing championships in November 2016 and was announced as part of the NZ team to contest the Australian Grand National show in Sydney April 5-8. They've been quite a force to be reckoned with at northern A and P shows this summer bringing home many wide sashes and have been competing level 4 dressage. Geoff won't be making the trip to Aussie as Janna will be riding an Australian horse. Good luck Janna!
Bec Kerr and Dorofino National Amateur Show Hunter Champions 2017
Bec and her lovely Dorofino (Poppy) won the Amateur Show Hunter spoils at the National Jumping Championships in Christchurch coming on the back of a very successful dressage debut at Otago a couple of weekends prior. Bec is a trainer using Equitation Science / learning theory to produce lovely young horses and help riders out with problem behaviours. She is a dedicated pupil working on both horse training and her own position and effectiveness in the saddle.
Rachael Powell 4th in the Bateson Trailers South Island Super 5 League
Rachel Powell and her young horse Lavante (Nibbles) by Landioso finished 4th in the Bateson Trailers Level 3 South Island Super League despite Nibbles having an altercation with a stable door when be became agitated at being separated from his buddy during the South Island Championships. Rachael is our Mosgiel (Dunedin) clinic organiser.
Super time at Equidays 2016
We had a 3 days of variable weather but some great para demonstrations with good audiences and fantastic feedback on our youth camp lessons.
It was a wonderful team effort with Hartstone Equestrian, Ridewell Trainwell and the Para riders to showcase para dressage as a sport and how we train the horses and riders