Horseriding
Care to canter? Hot to trot? Gasping for a galloping? Why the long face? Feed your child's horse addiction at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre
By Shannon Langan
"Can I have a pony?" That IS the question. In order to spare you the pain of saying something negative (like "No!"), there's a compromise at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre. Let them fulfill all their pony dreams while leaving the ‘apples' for someone else.
Barely 10 minutes from the CBD, Centennial Park is one of the world's only urban parks with riding facilities with a huge 210 stables. Take your tiny tots for their first trot on ponies led by trained handlers. Older ones can enjoy park rides that tour the greenery on a 3.6km horse track (the same used in the film Phar Lap).
Sign the kids up for one of the five riding schools that call the Equestrian Centre home. Each offers daily lessons catered to your child's age and level of experience. Your child can master riding fundamentals like showjumping or learn to groom and care for a personally chosen pal through the helper program, which is open to all kids over 10.
The centre provides riding gear and, of course, the most important part... the horses. Hop on! Giddy up!
Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre, Oxford St, Centennial Park 2021. (02 9332 2809) Daily 5am-9pm.