FAQ’s

Where are you?

We are on the Cotter Road adjacent to Mt Stromlo in the Weston Creek area. Our entrance is exactly 1km past the turn off to the Mt Stromlo observatory on the left hand side.  You can access this easily from the Tuggeranong expressway. From the City it will take you around 15 minutes.  Apart from a sign there is a bitumen access road with a cattle grid at the entrance. You cannot see the Centre from the road. You will see the office and carpark at the bottom of the hill after enjoying the wonderful view from the road in. Please keep to the 40km speed limit as there are horses and animals around.  Most GPS based apps locate the National Equestrian Centre.

How do I pay?

You can use eftpos and credit cards.  You can also pay by direct debit.  Sorry we don’t accept cash anymore.  Please talk to our staff when you are booking. We ask for prepayment as we have very limited office time during the busy hours.

When are you open?

We are open every day except Mondays.  Of course agisters access their horses each day as they wish.  We are in the office mostly from 9am but we are often with the horses and not there. Please leave a message as we will return your call.

What programs do your run?

We help many people start their equestrian experience.  We do a lot of things with horses and cant fit all of these into the website. So please ask when you contact our office if you are uncertain. We post a calendar of events which is available at the Centre and we put up on social media.

What age can I start?

We do not have an age limit. Rather we slot the rider into a program that best suits their age. For the very young we have junior rides which run for half hour and are led by a coach.  We find that everybody varies in how they pick up equestrian skills and progress. Most 8 year olds can start the Stages Program. There is no upper limit on age for starting to ride.

Can I watch my children or friends?

We think that is a great idea.  There are sitting areas at each of the arenas to keep you safe.  The first section of the Stages Guide has a short primer on horse matters intended to help those accompanying the riders as well as for the riders themselves.

What do I wear?

Comfort is the key. You need to be able to move easily. So most people wear stretch jodhpurs but any stretchy trousers or leggings are OK especially to start with.  For your lesson you will need to wear a safety helmet and boots with a smooth sole and a clear heel. Riding boots are designed for this purpose.  We recommend that you have your own helmet for fit and hygiene. The Centre has a few which you can use to start with.  Our starter packages are there to help you set up with these essential items.

Where do I ride?

Your first lessons will be in enclosed areas  – either in the indoor arenas or the round yard. Your coach will guide you on this.  For the first 3 stages all your riding will be in places that are fenced or enclosed. As you progress you will be introduced to riding in unenclosed spaces and then into open paddocks and cross country.

What happens if it rains?

We have a lot of covered areas and a large indoor arena. So we can operate in all weathers. 

Do you run trail rides?

We no longer run trail rides for single visits.  We provide cross country riding as part of our Stages Program. This ensures that riders are better equipped to enjoy their horse and country experience.