November 2014

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LIFE&FAMILY
142 November14
s
more family outdoor
activities HORSE-RIDING
ROUNDUP
Six stables for your equestrian fix
By Cherylene Chan and Rachel Wheeler
SINGAPORE TURF CLUB
RIDING CENTRE
First-time riders will be shown the ropes in a
seven-week riding programme, while more
experienced folks will be assessed and assigned
to the best class for their level. Once you’ve
settled in, private lessons can be arranged for
$130 each (normally booked in sets of 10) and
you’ll have a pick of 40 ponies or horses.
1 Equestrian Walk
6879 3600 | stc-ridingcentre.com
GALLOP
STABLE
Offering a wide range
o f l es sons f rom
groups (gather your
friends or, you know,
your kid’s friends!) for 20-minute pony rides for
ages three and above. Hour-long hacks on the
lush trail along Fairways Green Track or Fairways
Sand Ring are $85 a pop. Or book a stable tour
where kids can pet the horses and learn how to
care for them.
100 Turf Club Road
6463 6012 | gallopstable.com
NATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
Hacks aren’t possible here, but these guys do offer riding packages for
children and adults (eight lessons
for $640 for Singaporeans or $800
for PRs and foreigners). One of their
more interesting programmes is a
90-minute pony playgroup for kids
aged three to five ($80 per child).
100 Jalan Mashhor
9753 8739 | nec.org.sg
BUKIT TIMAH SADDLE CLUB
For a birthday they’ll remember forever (or until
next year, at least), sign up for a stable birthday
package. The birthday kid and their pals will get
as many pony rides as they can squeeze into an
hour, accompanied by an experienced handler.
No hacking here, but they do conduct riding
lessons for groups of four to eight ($400 for four
sessions) and lease horses to experienced riders
who’d rather ride unaccompanied.
51 Fairways Drive
6466 2264 | btsc.org.sg
SINGAPORE POLO CLUB
Although you need a membership here (around $1,700 a month), it could
be worth forking out if you’re a serious rider looking for schedule-friendly
lessons. Classes are held every Tuesday to Sunday at various times from
7am all the way through to 7.45pm. You can also call ahead to arrange
hacks along jungle trails near the club. We recommend dining at The
Verandah’s alfresco area (open to non-members fromMonday to Friday)
for a view of the polo pitch.
80 Mount Pleasant Road
6854 3999 | singaporepoloclub.org/riding
EL Tip:
RIDERS LODGE
If you’re after brilliantly cheap
stables, try an afternoon across
the border. It’s amazing value
for money, with hour-long
lessons and trails starting at
$53 per person. One-night
weekend packages including
riding, accommodation and
meals are priced under S$300 per person.
Sedenak, Johor, Malaysia
+607 652 5330 | riderslodge.com.my
Looking to saddle up and get your
horse-riding fix in Singapore? You
won’t be let down, as the island has a
small but satisfactory equestrian scene.
Check out these spots for a trot.