Do you run treks in the winter too?
Yes, we run Homestead Bay and Lake Ride treks even in the winter! Pack some warm clothes. The rides are even more beautiful with the snowy peaks in the background.
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Big Hill Loop and Hut Ride only run from November to March due to the weather conditions.
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Do you cancel rides on rainy days?
We can still ride in the light rain. We have nice long rain coats you can borrow and hot chocolate to keep you warm on the inside.
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If we expect heavy rains or strong winds, we'll be in touch and see if we can reschedule your ride or potentially refund you.
The ride start time is 9:30am. Is that the check in time or do we need to be there a little bit before then?
All our listed times are the Check In time, no need to show up earlier than that. Come in at 9:30am (or the listed time for our other rides). There's plenty of time to get ready, we'll do helmets fitting and introduce you to the guide and the horses and do a demo lesson before heading out on the trail.
I would love to ride with my partner and he is 110 kgs. Is that ok?
Our weight limit is 95 kgs. It comes from us looking after our horses of course and their well-being. If you are a sporty person and an experienced rider at 99kgs we may be able to make an exception. Please reach out if that is the case.
Do you provide pick ups and drop offs from Queenstown?
We don't provide pick ups and drop offs from Queenstown. You would want to hire a car to get from Queenstown to us. It is approximately 1,5 hour beautiful scenic drive. Hiring a car also means you can be flexible if you want to stop over somewhere on the way. Alternatively you can get bus from Queenstown to Wanaka village (1hour) and then hire a taxi to get to us in West Wanaka (30mins). We may be able to assist if you get stuck along the way from Wanaka as our staff drives the route almost daily. Let us know.
Do you provide helmets?
Yes, absolutely, you must wear a helmet on our ride. We provide helmets that are up to New Zealand safety standards. You can bring your own, as long as they are up to the same standard. If you want to ride with chaps or body protector you will need to bring your own.
Can I come on a Big Hill Loop or Hut Ride in September?
We don't run long or overnight rides in September due to the tricky weather. It can be very chilly in the mornings and there is higher chance of rain and winds. We only run Big Hill Loop and Hut Ride November - April.
I would love to go on the Lake Ride, but I have been riding only once before. Is that suitable ride for me?
The Lake Ride is an exciting 4-5 hour fast pace ride so it is best suited for intermediate to experienced riders. It can be quite exhausting for people that don't ride or do sport regularly. If you only rode once before we believe you will enjoy the 2 hour Homestead Bay ride much more. It has very beautiful scenery and it is a bit more cruisy pace than the Lake Ride. However, if you are fit and well balanced athlete and an adventurous soul, we can chat about possibly letting you come on a Lake Ride depending on the other bookings on that day. If you are a group of 4 and willing to ride at the pace of the least experienced member of the group, we can make that happen too. Ping us an email to discuss. But no nervous Nellies.
What shoes should I wear?
Great question. Boots with a tiny heel are the best, because the heel keeps your foot well in the stirrup. You can wear sneakers too, as long as the sole is not too wide. Hope this helps.
I have never ridden a horse before, can I come riding with you? Which ride would you recommend?
Absolutely, you can. Make sure to mention that when booking with us and we'll pair you up with a 'beginner friendly' horse. The Homestead Bay ride is perfect cruisy 2 hours ride for beginners.
Do you take kids on your trail rides?
Our age limit is 14+ for Homestead Bay ride. All of our big rides are for adults only. However, if your kid is an experienced rider ( has been riding frequently), we can discuss the options for Homestead Bay ride. Send us an email inquiry telling us a little bit more about your request and riding experience. The child also needs to be accompanied by an adult.