Horse riding coaching in Townsville
What do you actually want to work on? That's usually the first thing I ask, because good horse riding coaching in Townsville shouldn't look the same for everyone who books it.
I coach riders of every age and level, on their own horse, at their own place. Some people come to me chasing a specific goal. Others just want to feel steadier and safer, or to understand their horse a little better. Both are completely worth my time, and yours.
What I coach
Here's the ground I cover most often.
- Flatwork. The foundation of everything. Balance, rhythm, straightness, and a horse that's genuinely listening to you, not just going through the motions.
- Pole work. A brilliant way to build a horse's coordination and a rider's eye, and honestly some of the most useful work you can do at home between anything fancier.
- Jumping. Building confidence and technique over fences at a pace that suits you and your horse, never rushed.
- Horsemanship. The groundwork and the understanding that sits underneath all the ridden work. To me this matters every bit as much as what happens in the saddle.
Whatever we're working on, the frame is the same: you and your horse as a partnership. I'll always factor in what your horse is telling us, because a rider who learns to listen gets further, and stays safer, than one who only thinks about their own position.
For nervous and returning riders
If you've lost your nerve, or you've been out of the saddle for years and you're quietly wondering whether you've left it too late, please don't count yourself out. Some of the most rewarding work I do is with adults finding their confidence again. We go at your pace, we're honest about the wobbles, and we build back up one small, real win at a time.
What it costs
Private
$150
Semi-private
$120per person
Small group
$90per person
Large group
$80per person
All prices are GST-free. There is no minimum booking - one lesson is completely fine.
Travel is included across Townsville and the district around it. If you're further out than that I still come to you, for one flat charge for the trip rather than per rider: $35, or $65 if you're a fair way out again. Anything beyond that we'll work out together. We'll agree it before you book, so there are no surprises on the day.
Paying for your lesson
The invoice comes on the day of your lesson, and payment is due within a day of that. Nothing needs sorting out at your place while we're working, which suits us both.
I use Hnry for my invoicing, so the invoice arrives from them with everything you need on it. You can pay by bank deposit, by PayID, or by credit card. There's a bank fee on card payments, so if it makes no difference to you, bank deposit or PayID is the cheaper way.
Moving or cancelling a lesson
Things come up, and horses have their own ideas about the schedule. If you need to move a lesson, let me know the day before and we'll find another time. There's no charge, and no need to explain yourself.
Sometimes you'll know later than that. A horse comes in lame overnight, someone's unwell, the float won't start. Ring me anyway, and once things have settled we'll get you rescheduled.
One thing I'll be straight about, because it's easier said now than on the day: if I arrive and there's nobody there, the lesson fee is due and the lesson is void. I've scheduled the time and driven to your place, and I can't get either of those back.
Weather is part of life up here, and so is a horse who isn't himself on the day.
You know your own place better than I do. In the wet you'll know how much rain makes your ground unrideable, so have a look the day before and ring me early if it's marginal. That's the one thing that saves us both a wasted trip.
If I've already driven out, we don't write the lesson off. Most groundwork and horsemanship can be done on ground that's too wet to ride on, and a horse who has come in lame can still be worked from the ground. That's a proper lesson rather than a consolation prize, and it's often the one that shifts something.
If he's lame when you catch him and I'm still on the road, ring me and we'll move it to when he's sound.
If none of that works and the lesson has to be cancelled after I've travelled, I may charge half the lesson fee towards the time and the trip. I'd far rather do the groundwork.
There's a short list of what to have ready before I arrive if you'd like one.
If any of this sounds like what you've been after, have a read of how the lessons work, or just get in touch and tell me about you and your horse. There's no wrong place to start.
