Amelia WilliamsAs cliche as it may sound, life is a journey—and sometimes, the best view is between a horse’s ears. Auckland is a living testament to this quote, as our city boasts exceptional horse riding spots for everyone to relish.
Places like Headway Equestrian and Tasman Horse Rides will give you all the horsepower you need—one that canters, gallops, darts, and neighs. But that’s enough talk from us.
If you need more details (and tips) on where to learn or go horse riding in the AKL, here’s your nifty guide to local pony clubs and ranches.
In Auckland
Ambury Park Center
Address: Māngere Bridge, Auckland 2022
Contact Details: 09 634 0763
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
- Sat to Sun – Closed
With a philosophy that rides aren’t just for kicks, Ambury Park Center takes horseback therapy to a whole new level. Holistic programs that tap into the power of riding for recreation, sport, and even rehabilitation are their bread and butter.
These programs are gentle, rhythmical, and symmetrical exercises in a wholesome atmosphere.
An example is Ambury Park Center’s intensive therapy session, a 30-minute, one-on-one riding lesson with an expert in physiotherapy, conductive, or occupational therapy. This option focuses on everything from physical to cognitive development.
| Tips: Call if you’re interested in their therapy rides. You should also visit their website to see the horses in the stable to get an idea of the steed you’ll be commanding. |
Massey Pony Club
Address: Glen Road, Ranui, Auckland 0612
Whether it’s your first time on horseback or simply seeking the proper ways of tending to ponies, the Massey Pony Club has you covered.
What they’re famous for, though, are kid-friendly rallies—organized events where equestrians come together for different activities, training sessions, and socializing.
In addition, Massey Pony Club often hosts grazing events for riders with ponies, geldings, and mares. Friendly and fun competitions on dressage, showjumping, and cross-country riding are also done here.
| Tip: Contact this horse riding spot for updated opening and closing times. The same tip applies to all entries on this list without operating hours. |
Wainoni Park Pony Club
Address: 16 Orwell Road, Greenhithe, Auckland 0632
Contact Details: 021 265 1651
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
At Wainoni Park Pony Club, everyone is invited to saddle up and learn the ropes in a friendly, inclusive environment.
No need for pro skills. Their quality coaches and syllabus ensure riders of all levels feel right at home.
Leisure riders and non-members can also grab a casual or annual ground pass to join the equestrian fun without enlisting in the club.
In terms of setting and amenities, their expansive grounds feature floodlit arenas, obstacles, and a cross-country course with water jumps and ditches.
| Tip: Beyond their daily programs, Wainoni Pony Park Club has events like riding clinics and rallies. Visit their page to stay in the loop. |
Chelsea Pony Club
Address: Eskdale Reserve, 226 Eskdale Road, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626
The Chelsea Pony Club has been delivering horse riding lessons to kiddos since 1987, so you know they’re no greenhorns in the equestrian scene.
You shouldn’t miss their pony rides, ideal for horse-mad little ones. There’s no strict age requirement for this program, so the decision depends on the parents who must also stay with their kids as they ride.
During open days, they also have lolly stands, cake stalls, on-site grazing, and BBQs. Feeding horses is also totally fine, but supervision is required.
| Tip: This club is one of the go-tos in Auckland. Enroll ASAP if you don’t want to stay on the waiting list. |
North Shore Riding Club
– From turtle_and_luna_tic’s
Address: 109 Awanohi Road RD2, Albany, Auckland 0792
Contact Details: 09 473 5794
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
For those who see riding as a pastime and a way of life, North Shore Riding Club, an exclusive adult riding retreat (retreat auckland), opens its gates.
The club is welcoming, relatively wallet-friendly, and offers a complete package. There are expansive grazing fields, shoeing and clipping sheds, sick pens, wash-down areas, and dedicated parking for floats and trucks.
It doesn’t end with the amenities and services above, as they have a 60 x 40 dressage arena with lights for those who like to trot under the stars.
| Tip: Pick a membership package for your budget, schedule, and riding plan. A detailed breakdown of the programs is on the website. |
Tasman Horse Rides
Address: 501 Fordyce Road, Auckland 1250
Contact Details: 09 420 8603
The New Zealand countryside awaits you at Tasman Horse Rides, an equestrian school set on a sprawling 300-acre farm surrounded by a private woodland.
Apart from the kickass open spaces and adventure trails, this spot features an outdoor arena for practice riding and lessons—perfect for newbies or returning riders who require a refresher.
Additionally, Tasman throws in horsemanship clinics, a horse leasing program, daily riding events, workshops, and even camps for those looking to immerse themselves in the equine world.
| Tip: Prices may change depending on the season or day. Remember to check their current fees. |
Totara Park Riding for the Disabled
Address: 251 Redoubt Road, The Gardens, Auckland 2016
Contact Details: 021 848 6427
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 9:15 am to 1:30 pm
- Tue to Wed – Closed
- Thu – 9:15 am to 1:30 pm
- Fri to Sun – Closed
Nestled on the northern fringe of the Totara Park Reserve, Totara Park Riding for the Disabled is a riding club with a cause.
Their mission is clear: to uplift children and adults experiencing physical, intellectual, emotional, and social challenges through the transformative power of horse interaction.
Spread across 12 hectares, this place also packs serious equestrian facilities, with indoor and outdoor arenas, a round pen, shaded and unshaded yards, and some primo paddocks.
| Tip: Looking to make a positive impact? Consider volunteering at this club. |
Near Auckland
Muriwai Beach Horse Treks
Address: Horse Park Coast Road, Muriwai 0881
Contact Details: 09 871 0249
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sun – 8:30 am to 5 pm
Travel Time From Auckland: 40 mins
Riding rookies and seasoned pros are both welcome to know the meaning of haste at Muriwai Beach Horse Treks.
Their signature experience is a thrilling 2-hour trek along Muriwai Beach—a chill ride suitable even for guests with zero experience.
For riders not content with mellow treks through dunes, freshwater holes, and scrublands, there’s the 2-hour Experience Trek. This option follows a faster pace and enters the stunning Woodhill Forest.
| Tip: Consider Muriwai Beach Horse Treks for unique team-building activities. The scenic rides provide an excellent setting to foster collaboration, communication, and camaraderie. |
Sonshine Ranch Outdoor Adventure Center
– From handsformum
Address: 223 Creightons Road, Clevedon 2582
Contact Details: 09 292 8302
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 8 am to 6 pm
- Sun – Closed
Travel Time From Auckland: 34 mins
Holidays and summer breaks would rock harder if you swing by Sonshine Ranch Outdoor Adventure Center. No matter your age, size, or skill level, their programs will make you fall in love with horse riding.
At the heart of the action are around 25 trusty steeds. You can rent these horses for group lessons, private riding sessions, horse treks, dressage, and mounting games that’ll take place rain or shine.
| Tip: If you’re looking for extended horse riding lessons, consider staying at Sonshine Ranch’s accommodations. |
North Shore Riding for the Disabled
Address: 79 Aubrey Road, Silverdale 0993
Contact Details: 09 426 8110
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 9 am to 1 pm
- Fri to Sun – Closed
Travel Time From Auckland: 30 mins
North Shore Riding for the Disabled isn’t just horsing around; they’re also making a huge impact.
Therapeutic horse riding is what this riding spot provides—a game-changer for folks with disabilities. Specifically, their sessions aim to boost the physical, intellectual, and emotional states of their students.
The riding programs are also personalized and designed to meet each student’s unique needs. Plus, you don’t have to worry about safety; the classes are led by a top-notch coach backed up by a squad of expert volunteers with specially trained horses.
| Tip: Take advantage of their versatile party venues. Whether it’s the indoor barn for parties or the paddocks, you have options for a memorable outdoor picnic or BBQ event. |
Headway Equestrian
– From harbourgal
Address: 76 Jackson Way, Stillwater 0993
Contact Details: 021 834 781
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Travel Time From Auckland: 29 mins
One of the most sensational spots for therapeutic and recreational riding is Headway Equestrian.
Here, the goal is to transform kids’ motor skills, sensory integration, and communication abilities—both verbal and non-verbal. Moreover, they have lessons tailor-made for the development of physical aspects and an overall boost in self-confidence.
Families shouldn’t skip on their pony experiences, too. This riding option is reserved for groups with tiny ones and includes activities like pony feeding and grooming.
| Tip: Arriving a bit early allows you to get familiar with the surroundings, the staff, and the horses. This move is extra essential if you’re going here for the therapy sessions. |
Kumeu Riding School
Address: 49 Tawa Road, Kumeū 0891
Contact Details: 0210 294 2051
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 7 pm
- Sat to Sun – 8 am to 3 pm
Travel Time From Auckland: 26 mins
Offering a bang for your buck, Kumeu Riding School hooks riders with budget-friendly lessons. These lessons focus on riding expertly trained horses and ponies suitable for riders of all ages and skill levels.
They’re also known for building confidence and forging ride-or-die friendships through riding activities like pony camps and horse shows.
Furthermore, the scene here is set with state-of-the-art stables, a vast indoor riding arena, and majestic outdoor trails.
| Tip: Message their Facebook page to reserve your slot. |
Horse Riding Warkworth Treks
Address: 42 Kaipara Flats Road, Dome Forest 0981
Contact Details: 09 425 8517
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sun – 9:30 am to 5 pm
Travel Time From Auckland: 50 mins
Horse riding and trekking on a laid-back farm and forest locale—that’s what Horse Riding Warkworth Treks is all about.
Pony rides that’ll make you feel like the king or queen of the ranch are also up for grabs. On top of that, you may take lessons meant for seasoned vets if you’re looking to level up your horseback skills.
And when the horse fever really kicks in, join Horse Riding Warkworth Treks’ pony camps or gear up for some friendly competition in their competitive horse shows.
| Tip: If you’re looking for a unique birthday party (party venues auckland) for your child, call this riding school. They can host party rides for tiny tots. |
Burnside Riding School
– From livingwiththelees
Address: 63 Forestry Road, Riverhead 0892
Contact Details: 021 266 7027
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 2 pm to 6 pm
- Wed – Closed
- Thu to Fri – 2 pm to 6 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 12 pm
- Sun – Closed
Travel Time From Auckland: 26 mins
When it comes to one-on-one horse lessons, Burnside Riding School is hard to top. Established in 1983, this tight-knit, owner-operated joint in Riverhead is the favorite spot for kids dreaming of being the next generation of horse-riding legends.
Parents with little wranglers go here for the tailored classes particularly designed for children ten and under. These classes discuss everything needed while on horseback, from basic mounting and dismounting to advanced jumping exercises.
The private lessons and small-group sessions also come with the guarantee of safe, well-trained ponies.
| Tip: Since Burnside Riding School provides one-on-one classes, reaching them via their Facebook or phone number is important to secure a session. |
Bannockburn Riding Academy
– From now_events_nz
Address: 56a Avon Road, Pōkeno 2471
Contact Details: 021 120 8319
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Fri – 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 12 pm
- Sun – Closed
Travel Time From Auckland: 41 mins
Bannockburn keeps it intimate with small groups, maxing out at six riders. This limit guarantees personalized instruction and feedback tailored to individual needs.
Students will learn the basics of catching, brushing, and saddling while also studying day-to-day care, proper feeding methods, and show jumping.
Bannockburn Riding Academy also doesn’t lack other riding programs crafted for simply having fun. Some of our favorite recreational sessions here are the pony parties, school holiday specials, and pony hire.
| Tip: If you’re looking for a venue for your school gala, fundraiser, or any other event, this horse riding spot might be what you’re seeking. Their team provides up to six ponies and horses, accommodating everyone from the littlest ones at one year old to the adults who are young at heart. |
