A Moonbi equestrian centre is giving New England children the chance to swap screens for saddles these winter school holidays, with a program packed with themed days, hands-on horse care and outdoor adventure.
New England Equine, a family-owned and operated centre based in Moonbi, is running 10 days of activities across the July school holiday period, offering both full theme days and half-day horse camps for children of all experience levels.
Owner and manager Jemma Green said the program was designed to fill a genuine gap for regional families.
“As a mum myself, I know firsthand that trying to find exciting and meaningful activities during the school holidays can be exhausting,” said Ms Green. “It’s so important to get children outside, active and away from screens, and in rural areas it can sometimes be difficult to find engaging opportunities.”
Theme days run on selected Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with each one built around a creative concept. This winter’s lineup includes Unicorn Day on Monday, 7 July, Barbie Pony Pamper Day on Wednesday, 9 July, Cowboy and Rodeo Day on Friday, 11 July, Pirate Pony Adventure on Monday, 14 July, and the Ultimate Obstacle Challenge on Wednesday, 16 July.
Ms Green said the themes were shaped with all children in mind, not just those already horse-mad.
“A lot of our inspiration comes from the children themselves,” she said. “We want to create experiences that appeal to all children, not just girls, which is why you’ll see a mix of adventures like Pirate Pony Day alongside Unicorn Day and Barbie Pony Pamper.”
Each theme transforms the day’s experience, with decorated ponies, dress-ups, crafts, games and riding activities all tailored to match the concept. Ms Green said the creative approach was about more than just fun.
“We love using children’s imaginations to make horses even more magical,” she said. “It keeps the program exciting and encourages creativity while still teaching genuine horsemanship skills.”
Half-day horse camps run on the remaining days, from 9am to 12pm, with a focus on practical horse care and riding skills. Theme days are priced at $95 per child, with half-day camps at $90. Sibling and multi-day discounts are available on the half-day camps, and bookings are essential with limited places available.
No prior horse experience is needed. Ms Green said her team worked hard to make every session feel welcoming, whatever the child’s starting point.
“We focus on making every experience welcoming, safe and approachable,” she said. “We want families to realise that they don’t need prior knowledge or their own horse to enjoy everything the equestrian world has to offer.”
The most satisfying part of the job, Ms Green said, was watching children grow in confidence across a single day.
“It’s amazing to watch a child arrive feeling nervous or unsure and leave proudly leading, grooming or riding a horse they were initially intimidated by,” she said. “Seeing friendships form, smiles grow and self-belief develop is incredibly rewarding.”
Beyond school holidays, New England Equine runs private riding lessons, children’s programs, pony experiences, birthday parties, clinics and community events year-round. The centre also partners with Star Club Equestrian to provide inclusive equestrian opportunities and is covered by the NDIS.
Ms Green said the business was continuing to grow its community reach.
“Our goal is to create even more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to experience horses in a fun, professional and supportive environment,” she said. “We’re excited to keep developing innovative activities and strengthen our role as a leading equestrian destination in the New England region.”
Families can contact New England Equine directly on 0439 991 523 to secure their place.
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