Got a kid that is horse-obsessed? We hear ya. Look no further, because we've rounded up the best places in Singapore (and beyond!) to take the kids for some horsey fun.
We are always on the lookout for fun farm visits, family-friendly outdoor activities and new places to enjoy the great outdoors with our city-dwelling kids, so we’ve been galloping around town to find the stables in Singapore where mini-jockeys can pick up some skills with pony horse riding lessons.
We’ve rounded up (without the help of a lasso) the best equestrian centres that offer riding lessons for beginner and experienced riders, plus hacking, show jumping, dressage and stable management sessions too. We’ve even found ad hoc pony rides and a pony playgroup for little ones who are not quite ready to become fully fledged equestrians!
Gallop Stable
Gallop Stable has two locations in Singapore, and with around 200 stables and 10 experienced instructors it’s one of the largest public riding centres here. Lessons range from private classes for junior riders, semi-private instruction, and group lessons.
Once kids have got a feel for the saddle (and after assessment by riding instructors) they will be able to trot off on trail rides along the Fairways Green Track or Fairways Sand Ring, self-ride around the arena, or even lease a horse for the day. Head over to the Bukit Timah branch for great horsey related activities including carriage rides and donkey feeding!
Gallop Stable, Bukit Timah and Pasir Ris locations; www.gallopstable.com
Riding for the Disabled Association
We love this amazing initiative, which creates a fun horse riding experience for children and adults with special needs. Kids will love hanging out with the 16 retired polo and race horses who have all been picked for their calm natures, and lessons will be on a weekly basis once a slot becomes available (there is a wait-list of around 9-12 months currently).
And if you have some spare time on your hands and are looking for the chance to do some volunteering in Singapore, then RDA is always on the lookout for anyone over 16 years old to sign up!
Riding for the Disabled, 5 Jalan Mashhor, Singapore 299174, p. 6250 0176; www.rdasingapore.org
National Equestrian Centre
A pony playgroup programme for kids age three to five years? You couldn’t make it up! This 90 minute session begins with art activities designed to get kiddos familiar with horses before a riding lesson, and ends with a cooking class to whip up delicious meals: for the ponies!
Older kids can get into the saddle too: there are various riding packages on offer for all levels of expertise and look out for Pony Camp activities going on during school holidays too!
National Equestrian Centre, 100 Jalan Mashhor, Singapore 299177, p. 9753 8739; www.nec.org.sg
Bukit Timah Saddle Club (BTSC)
Keen equestrians with a passion for show jumping and dressage should canter over to British Horse Society approved Bukit Timah Saddle Club. Small group lessons are available, as well as pony rides every weekend for kids age three and up who just fancy a one-off encounter ($10 per ride).
BTSC is the only stables in Singapore that offer cross country courses so if flying over obstacles including ditches, logs, ski jumps and steps on top of a horse is your thing, then this is the club for you!
Bukit Timah Saddle Club, 51 Fairways Drive, Singapore 286965, p. 6466 2782; www.btsc.org.sg
Singapore Polo Club
Get a history lesson and a riding lesson all rolled into one over at the oh-so-colonial Singapore Polo Club, which has been home to horses since 1886! Classes are held Tuesday to Sunday from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, and there are horse-and-stable management sessions too for riders to learn how to groom, feed, and care for the horses. Dig deep in your piggy bank for this one though, kids: it’s membership only.
Singapore Polo Club, 80 Mount Pleasant Road, Singapore 298334, p. 6854 3999; www.singaporepoloclub.org
Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre
If you don’t know a zebra from a pony then this could be the pick for you: Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre offers beginners programmes for the total novice, as well as stable management sessions for first-timers to learn to care for their horses too. More experienced riders can join group lessons or private lessons at these friendly stables based near Kranji.
Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre, 1 Equestrian Walk (off Woodlands Ave 3), Singapore 737863, p. 6879 3600; www.stc-ridingcentre.com
Riders Lodge
If you’re happy to go further afield, make a weekend of it and take the kids on a horse riding holiday in Malaysia. The kids will learn how to be an equestrian among palm and jungle horse-riding trails! The folks at Riders Lodge have put together a 2-day-1-night Beginners Horse Riding Camp for kids aged 8 and up. Littles who are novices in equestrian arts can consider the Young Riders Camp. Plus, accompanying parents and friends get 8% off full board.
Riders Lodge, The Legends Golf and Country Resort, Lot 1302 Kebun Sedenak Kulai, Johor, Malaysia, p.+607 652 5330; www.riderslodge.com.my
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