The Lawn Equestrian

The Lawn Equestrian Private and small group riding lessons (max 4 riders per group) for beginner–intermediate levels in Clive, Hawke’s Bay. Monday to Friday 1pm – 7pm.

Kind instructors, well-trained horses, monthly beach and river treks. Come join us today 🐎

🐴 Instructor Introductions – Makayla (MJ) 🐴MJ has grown up around horses and has competed across a variety of discipline...
10/06/2026

🐴 Instructor Introductions – Makayla (MJ) 🐴

MJ has grown up around horses and has competed across a variety of disciplines, with a particular passion for show jumping and cross-country.

Her calm, encouraging approach to teaching helps riders build confidence, develop strong foundations, and create balanced partnerships with their horses.

MJ has been part of The Lawn Equestrian family since our very first holiday programme and joined us on a permanent basis towards the end of last year. We feel incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.

She has a wonderful way with young riders, bringing plenty of fun and enthusiasm to every lesson, while also offering valuable expertise in rider fitness and conditioning thanks to her background within the fitness industry.

I regularly receive messages from parents and families expressing how much they appreciate MJ’s coaching style and the positive impact she has on their children’s riding journey. Her ability to connect with riders of all ages and abilities makes her a truly valued member of our team.

Now, time for instructor introductions…. Starting with: 🐴 Julia 🐴I hate talking about myself, so third person it is 😂Ju...
06/06/2026

Now, time for instructor introductions…. Starting with:
🐴 Julia 🐴

I hate talking about myself, so third person it is 😂

Julia is the co-owner of The Lawn Equestrian alongside her partner, John.

Her love of horses was adamant as soon as she knew what a horse was, probably by the age of two…. Watching back on old home videos of Julia at petting zoos on the back of a miniature pony giggling her head off. She started riding frequently at seven years old and, coming from a non-horsey family, grew up in riding lessons and school holiday programmes. By the time she was 13, it was clear horses weren’t just a phase, and her first horse, Aachen, became a forever part of the family. A treasured surprise she will always remember.

While she has experience in low-level show jumping, Julia has always been drawn more to the connection side of horses, long hours in the paddock, trekking, and simply enjoying their company.

She has worked across many areas of the horse world. Including horse trek guiding, teaching in America, grooming and riding in top New Zealand show jumping and racing stables, coaching through the RDA, and working with Leg Up Trust supporting children with additional learning and behavioural needs.

Alongside this, Julia has a background in childcare, and combining the two has shaped the way she now teaches.

Julia and John started The Lawn Equestrian in December 2024 after purchasing their lifestyle property in Clive, bringing a childhood dream to life.

Julia’s teaching style is all about kindness, building confidence, and creating a space where questions are always welcome. She believes no ride is a bad ride, just different learning moments, and that progress looks different for everyone. Her focus is on creating well-rounded riders who understand horses both in and out of the saddle, not just how to ride, but how to care for and truly understand them.

She believes learning about horses off the horse is just as important as learning on them, and that riders should leave feeling proud of themselves, supported, and happy with what they’ve achieved. Her goal is to help build confident, capable horse people who could one day own and care for their own horse, not just ride one that is already tacked up!

For Julia, it has always been about the relationship with the horse first, and everything else follows from there.

Julia looks forward to teaching many more riders in the years ahead, and the doors at The Lawn Equestrian are always open to riders of all ages and abilities, including those with additional learning needs or disabilities.

She will be taking a step back from the coaching side of things for the next wee while, whilst she is excitedly awaiting the arrival of her baby girl a.k.a our youngest rider to come at TLE 😉

02/06/2026

Term 3 vacancies:

🐴 Monday 1pm-2.30pm - Private or semi private lesson (any level)

🐴 Tuesday 5.30pm-7pm Group (learning to canter/ can tack up)

🐴 Wednesday 3.30pm-5pm Group (Parent Partnership Group - ages 5-8 beginner)

Bookings are open now and term 3 commences mid July.

🐴 Horse Introductions – Ty 🐴We have some exciting news… Ty is coming back!! 🎉Ty is a 15.1hh Clydie cross in his early tw...
30/05/2026

🐴 Horse Introductions – Ty 🐴

We have some exciting news… Ty is coming back!! 🎉

Ty is a 15.1hh Clydie cross in his early twenties. He joined us last year on a part lease before heading back to spend the summer with his lovely family, and we’re so excited to have him returning to help out in lessons a few days each week.

Ty is an absolute sweetheart with beautiful movement, a lovely jump, and a real presence about him. He carries himself so well and has looked after a huge range of riders here, from complete beginners having their very first rides through to our more advanced students.

He’s one of those horses that everyone seems to fall in love with. Kind, genuine, and incredibly easy-going, Ty always gives his riders confidence.

We can’t wait to welcome this special boy back and see him helping our riders again in the occasional lesson. Welcome back, Ty!

🐴 Horse Introductions – Minnie 🐴Here’s the cheekiest horse at TLE, with the biggest attitude and the shortest little leg...
29/05/2026

🐴 Horse Introductions – Minnie 🐴

Here’s the cheekiest horse at TLE, with the biggest attitude and the shortest little legs!

Minnie is an 8.1hh miniature pony who came with the property when we bought it. A bit of a buy one, get one free deal! I was stoked! 😂

He was quite overweight, dreadlocked, and he hadn’t had his feet done for quite some time. He was also very nervous of people coming near him, so I was excited to make him my little project. With his one bright blue eye and bushy mane, he was pretty cute even then.

I spent a lot of time with him every day, slowly building his confidence and our relationship. It didn’t take long for him to become a completely different horse, and I’m really proud of how far he has come over the past year and a half.

We did initially use Minnie in the riding school, but with him being so tiny and needing a confident and strong little rider, it was hard to find the right match. These days he’s our gorgeous paddock mate, although our students still love grooming him and taking him for walks to help keep some of that weight off! He enjoys all the attention and definitely doesn’t like being left out of anything.

Underneath all that attitude, Minnie is a pretty special little pony.

🐴 Horse Introductions – Aries 🐴Ari is a 15.3hh Thoroughbred, rising 10 years old, who joined us in January this year. He...
29/05/2026

🐴 Horse Introductions – Aries 🐴

Ari is a 15.3hh Thoroughbred, rising 10 years old, who joined us in January this year. He was more of a “heart decision” than a desperate need for the school. He had been out of work for quite some time, was very skinny, and I knew he wouldn’t be able to jump straight into lessons anytime soon. But he had the softest eyes, the kindest nature, and such an easy-going personality that I just knew he would make a lovely school horse one day.

After a good few months of rehab, Ari has come such a long way and is now doing really well in lessons. He’s starting to build confidence over little cross poles, absolutely loves hacking out and about, and nothing much seems to faze him.

He’s carried people who have never ridden before, and he takes his job so seriously. He is patient and caring with nervous and beginner riders, always looking after whoever is on his back.

I’m really looking forward to watching this horse continue to develop as he continues to gain more muscle, confidence, and experience. He has such a lovely future ahead of him.

28/05/2026

Reminder - we are closed on Monday 1st June due to Kings Birthday. Have a great long weekend everyone 🌞

🐴 Horse Introductions – Trident 🐴Here is the biggest smooch you’ll meet at our riding school. Trident is a 15yr, 14.1hh ...
28/05/2026

🐴 Horse Introductions – Trident 🐴

Here is the biggest smooch you’ll meet at our riding school. Trident is a 15yr, 14.1hh Kaimanawa pony with the biggest heart and the sweetest nature.

Trident has had quite the life journey from being mustered from the wild as a young c**t, to working as a Riding for the Disabled pony in Hastings. He then joined another riding school before becoming a much-loved best friend to several teenagers out on the show circuit before they outgrew him onto hacks. We were then incredibly lucky to have him come to us last August. He was our little rainbow gift in the darkest of weeks 🪽

What a blessing this horse has been. He is the ultimate teacher and confidence builder, with the smoothest transitions I’ve ever ridden. He makes learning to trot and canter so easy because you barely move out of the saddle.

He’s a complete sucker for treats and is always nudging around for snacks and handing out kisses wherever he can. Trident’s also the type of horse to beeline for the instructor and follow us around in lessons 😂

If I could clone this horse a few times over (ahmmm maybe a 17h version for myself…), I absolutely would!!

🐴 Horse Introductions – Buddy 🐴Buddy came to us in November last year from an Auckland Riding for the Disabled looking f...
27/05/2026

🐴 Horse Introductions – Buddy 🐴

Buddy came to us in November last year from an Auckland Riding for the Disabled looking for a change in lifestyle. He’s a 17yr, 11.1hh Welsh X and the smallest of our ridden ponies here.

What a little dude he is! He can be a bit stubborn and slow at times, but he is safe as houses and definitely teaches our young riders how to use their legs properly!! And when he feels like it, he can still turn into quite the little pocket rocket.

Buddy is best friends with Minnie and Trident and is by far our most talkative horse. He’s always whinnying for attention, and the second you say his name from the paddock he comes running over and whinnies with his high pitch straight back at you.

He’s also quite the handsome little man and definitely knows it!! Pic from our Christmas prize giving week last year 🎄

Address

540 Lawn Road
Clive
4180

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 7pm
Tuesday 1pm - 7pm
Wednesday 1pm - 7pm
Thursday 1pm - 7pm
Friday 1pm - 7pm

Telephone

+64278223185

Website

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