Region: NEW ZEALAND

Horsemanship Seminars, Clinics and Resources

New Zealand Horse Trek

(Date to be determined)


Join Franklin for an extended horse trek and seminar on the South Island of New Zealand!

The adventure begins with a 2-day Advanced Trail Clinic followed by a week-long trek, organized by Hurunui Horse Treks. Participants can choose from either the 2-day seminar only, the 9-day trek only, or the two-day seminar AND trek.

  • Learn invaluable horsemanship skills with master horseman Franklin Levinson
  • Small group size
  • Spectaular vistas - New Zealand's vast, mountainous sheep country, old gold trails, rugged Seaward Gorge, peaceful beech forests, and high mountain passes.
  • Creature comforts - hot showers, delicious, home cooked meals, and a comfortable bed every night!

Sample Schedule

Day 1:
Collection from Christchurch by private taxi and transported to our ranch. A welcome reception with beverages and snacks. Evening BBQ and an introduction to your guides and what we will be doing over the following 12 days. Accommodation in our bunkhouse, comfortable beds, hot showers & WiFi.

Day 2:
• Breakfast and an introduction to your horses,
• Successful training through compassion, wisdom, skill and trust. You need to fill in what you want here for the next 2 days with Franklin. We will do a ram roast and invite a few of the local farmers for a social evening.

Day 3:
• CLINIC DAY 2: 'BEYOND NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP' clinic.

Day 4:
• Breakfast. Groom and saddle up our horses and off we go on our first day's adventure, following the Waitohi River to Seven Hills Station. At the end of the ride, we wash down our horses, feed, water, and turn them out into the paddock for the night, then enjoy a cold, refreshing beer or beverage. You are then transported back to your accommodation at the Peaks for the night in 4-wheel drive vehicles. (approx. 4.5 hrs. riding)

Day 5:
• The following day we ride through Mt. Mason Station following the Waitohi gorge over a pass and journey through the valleys of the Virginia area, to Double Tops Station and your horse's accommodation for the next two nights. You are then transported back to your accommodation at the Peaks for the night in 4-wheel drive vehicles (approx. 5.5 hrs. riding)

Day 6:
• Today we ride through Double Tops Station, climbing high onto the Double Top ridge where, if the weather is kind, we have an amazing view of the bay and surrounding area. You are then transported back to your accommodation at the Peaks for the night in 4-wheel drive vehicles, where you can look forward to a well earned soak in the spa pool and a cold beer or wine (approx.6 hrs. riding).

Day 7:
• We set out in the morning, following a trail through the bottom end of Mt. Mason Station, then crossing the Waitohi River, where we have a relaxed lunch on Mt. Noble Station, cooling our feet in the river. We climb up onto Windy Ridge and follow the trail down to the Lake Sumner Road. The horses spend the night in the paddocks at Seven Hills Station. You are then transported back to your accommodation at the Peaks for the night in 4-wheel drive vehicles (4.5 hrs. riding). You prepare your bags for the following 3 nights at Lake Taylor Station.

Day 8:
• We pack our bags for the journey into the mountains, following the trail up the Lake Sumner Road and through the Hurunui Gorge until we meet both the South and North branches of the Hurunui River, where we cross and enter Lake Taylor Station, riding through the very beautiful Boulder Gully and into Starvation Valley to the shearers' quarters at Lake Taylor Station, which is our accommodation for the next three nights Our hosts, Rosemary and Dave, welcome us into their home for dinner (approx. 7 hrs. riding).

Day 9:
• Get the sunscreen and swim suits out. We spend the next day relaxing, swimming at Lake Taylor, fishing, and having fun in the jet boat.

Day 10:
• Get your cameras ready. We make an early start, pack our saddlebags, and go exploring, enjoying the incredible beauty of some of New Zealand's most spectacular high country, with an abundance of lakes and mountain scenery that few get to experience. Taking our lunch break at either Holme Bay, Lake Sumner or at Lake Mason, having wound our way up over the Catherine Saddle. We arrive back at Lake Taylor Station with some fabulous memories. (approx. 8 hrs. riding).

Day 11:
• Sadly, we have to leave these magical lakes and start making our way home, up, over and down the Orinoko Range, through Esk Valley and following the Hurunui River back to the lower end of Seven Hills Station, where the horses spend the night. You are then transported back to your accommodation at the Peaks for the night in 4-wheel drive vehicles, where you can take a much welcomed soak in the spa pool and maybe catch up on your emails on our free WiFi. (approx. 5.5 hrs. riding).

Day 12:
• On our last day, we ride along the banks of the tranquil Hurunui River, under the impressive Hooligan Range, with Mt. Mizar, Ben Cliberick, Phyllis Fell and Mount Catherine on the opposite side of the river. We lunch below Mt. Self beside the Hurunui, after which we ride cross-country again, up and over the Kanuku Saddle (approx. 850 m) with its panoramic views of the Amuri Basin, down to our base, where we unsaddle, unpack, wash the horses down and then enjoy afternoon tea (approx. 5.5 hrs. ride). At the end of the ride, we unsaddle, unpack, and relax with a well-deserved afternoon tea. That evening we have a celebration party.

Day 13:
• You will be collected by private taxi at 10:00 a.m. after breakfast and returned to Christchurch.
 
We use 4-wheel-drive vehicle to transport our gear, food and equipment, which allows for a ride with a more varied pace, where you can experience the true freedom of the high country on horseback. Our gear and refreshments await us after the horses are taken care of at the end of each day's ride.

The emphasis throughout is on quality, with simple, though comfortable, rustic accommodations, hot showers, good food, and a great riding experience. All of the accommodations have hot showers, flush toilets, and comfortable beds.
 

Estimated Pricing (subject to change)

Trek & Seminar - $5595.00 NZ per person
• Thirteen Nights Accommodation
• Food, Wine and Beer
• Two Day Seminar (inc Free Jet Boat Ride)
• Transport and Taxes
 
Trek Only - $4495.00 NZ per person
• Eight Nights Accommodation
• Food, Wine and Beer
• 9 Days Trekking (inc Free Jet Boat Ride)
• Taxes
 
2-Day Seminar Only - $450.00 NZ per person
• Two Days Seminar
• One Nights Accommodation
• Food, Wine and Beer
• Bring your own horse, or use one of ours
• Taxes

To reserve your spot or with questions, email Franklin at franklin@wayofthehorse.org