At Gooromon Park, we love our team of instructors and stablehands. Every member of #TeamGP is passionate about equestrian, is highly skilled, and absolutely loves supporting you on your riding journey.

We’ll be introducing you to the team through our blog – today, meet Margaret Pallazzo!

When did you first start Horse Riding?

When I was seven. My parents gave me ONE term of riding lessons for Christmas (Ha!)

What’s one thing you love about working at Gooromon Park?

Hanging out with horses (and horse people) all day.

Who is your favourite GP horse/pony?

Amira.

What music gets you motivated for the day?

My alarm clock.

What do you feel is your best attribute that you bring to #TeamGP?

I’ll keep working until the job is done.

 What is something special about you most people don’t know?

I’ve got dual citizenship and two passports, so I guess that doubles my chance of riding at an Olympics.

What is one of your fondest horse riding memories?

Jumping 1m on Amira at the Christmas Show eleven years ago. Or finishing my first 2* event at the start of this year.

What’s one thing you’d like to achieve in your riding or coaching in the next year?

Completing my Level 1 coaching certificate. And riding at the Adelaide CCI 2* in November.

 What’s one tip or insight you’ve learnt on your horsey journey that you’d like to share?

When in doubt, use more leg!

List three great qualities you admire in a GREAT coach?

Being able to communicate clearly, understand the rider, and keep things simple but effective.

At Gooromon Park, we love our team of instructors and stablehands. Every member of #TeamGP is passionate about equestrian, is highly skilled, and absolutely loves supporting you on your riding journey.

We’ll be introducing you to the team through our blog – today, meet Alex Wensing, one of our talented instructors!

When did you first start horse riding?
I had my first riding lesson when I was 10 years old, at Gooromon Park, with Amanda Clark – I was her first student!

What’s one thing you love about being part of #TeamGP?
I’ve spent 20 years riding, coaching, learning, growing, sharing all things equine knowledge on this property. So to me Gooromon Park feels like home turf. That’s why I love working here.

Who is your favourite GP horse/pony?
There have been so many great school horses over the years. But my favourite riding school pony would have to be Zep.

What music gets you motivated for the day?
I love my pop music, so anything with a beat, rhythm and tempo.

What do you feel is your best attribute that you bring to the team?
I have a healthy sense of humour… The first person I’m willing to laugh at is myself…

What is something special about you most people don’t know?
I was one of Gooromon Park’s first students in 1998 and have stayed with the school since, and gained my Equestrian Australia level one coaching certificate and Stable Manager qualifications with them as well. I was was very proud of this achievement.

What is one of your fondest horse riding memories?
After many years of riding other people’s horses, my fondest memory is riding my first official dressage test on my own horse, LETS B GRAND (Monty).

What’s one thing you’d like to achieve in your riding or coaching in the next year?
More saddle time… After selling my school master, I don’t have a horse in work at the moment.

What’s one tip or insight you’ve learnt on your horsey journey that you’d like to share?
Set goals not limits! One of my first coaches at the riding school once told me I could achieve my level one coaching certificate. At the time, I had no idea what that involved. With the right guidance from my coaches, I’ve now achieved that goal and I’m looking forward to what’s next.

List three great qualities you admire in a great coach?
The ability to listen, set goals and help you achieve them!

At Gooromon Park, we love our team of instructors and stablehands. Every member of #TeamGP is passionate about equestrian, is highly skilled, and absolutely loves supporting you on your riding journey.

We’ll be introducing you to the team through our blog – today, meet Claudia Beer!

When did you first start horse riding?

I first started horse riding when I was six years old, I begged my parents for riding lessons for years and they finally gave in and booked me lessons at Gooromon Park for my birthday. I think they hoped that I would grow out of it but that clearly never happened.

What’s one thing you love about working at Gooromon Park?

There are so many great things about working at GP, but one thing I love would have to be the team. Not only the team of people but the team of horses we have too. The people are like a second family and there is always fun times at work. As for the horses, the school wouldn’t run without them! They are all such sensible well behaved horses that we can trust to take care of any rider we put on them.

Who is your favourite GP horse/pony?

Zep, he is my absolute favourite. I’ve had so many great memories with Zep both riding him and working with him on the flat. He really doesn’t get enough credit he’s adorable!

What music gets you motivated for the day?

Anything, I will dance to whatever’s on

What do you feel is your best attribute that you bring to #TeamGP?

My hardworking and willing attitude. I feel I always try my best to make sure all the jobs are done well and everything runs smoothly throughout the day.

What is something special about you most people don’t know?

Not really that special, but my OCD – I’m a perfectionist everything has to be done in order.

What is one of your fondest horse riding memories?

There are honestly so many! Coming 2^nd in 6bar at interschools is definitely a big memory, the final fence was 1m45cm and it was the first show without my coach on my new horse so I was super proud my amazing horse.

What’s one thing you’d like to achieve in your riding or coaching in the next year?

I’m really hoping to be competing in my amateur/junior show jumping before I age out next year.

What’s one tip or insight you’ve learnt on your horsey journey that you’d like to share?

All horses are different and respond to different methods, this means that what works for one horse might not work for the next. This is a good way to teach a rider/trainer patience and resilience.

List three great qualities you admire in a GREAT coach?

Patience, confidence in the rider, ability to change the wording of an instructor based on the rider they are coaching.

At Gooromon Park, we love our team of instructors and stablehands. Every member of #TeamGP is passionate about equestrian, is highly skilled, and absolutely loves supporting you on your riding journey.

We’ll be introducing you to the team through our blog – today, meet Brittany Heycox!

When did you first start horse riding?

I first got sat on a horse when I was about 4 and from that moment I loved it! So when I turned 6 I started horse riding lessons at GP and now 12 years on I’m still apart of the GP team and I love it!

What’s one thing you love about working at Gooromon Park?

One of my favourite things about working at GP is the environment everyone is so kind and caring! The staff are all so amazing and the clients are so lovely and everyone really makes it a great environment to work in! 

Who is your favourite GP horse/pony?

Well, I love all our GP horses and ponies but if I had to pick a favourite it would be Zep my favourite pony and Jamokea my favourite horse!

What music gets you motivated for the day?

Something that is loud and I can dance and sing along to always gets me motivated for the day!

What do you feel is your best attribute that you bring to #TeamGP? 

I’d say my best attribute would be my hardworking attitude and my motivation to get the job done right.

What is something special about you most people don’t know?

I am the youngest sibling of 7, 4 brothers and 2 sisters!

What is one of your fondest horse riding memories?

I have many wonderful horse riding memories, but one of my fondest would have to be when I got my first horse – although I didn’t get as much time with him as I would’ve liked he was still a great first horse!

What’s one thing you’d like to achieve in your riding or coaching in the next year?

In my coaching I wold like to become more confident and with my riding I want to keep progressing with my little three year old and maybe take her on her first outing.

What’s one tip or insight you’ve learnt on your horsey journey that you’d like to share?

There is a quote I like and I like it because it teaches you that when you fall you must get back up, because falling is all apart of riding.

“It is not enough for a person to know how to ride, they must know how to fall.”

List three great qualities you admire in a GREAT coach?

I think a great coach is someone who motivates you to be the best you can be, someone who is patient and someone who is honest.

At Gooromon Park, we love our team of instructors and stablehands. Every member of #TeamGP is passionate about equestrian, is highly skilled, and absolutely loves supporting you on your riding journey.

We’ll be introducing you to the team through our blog – today, meet Hannah Klep!

I began riding at Gooromon Park in 2007 when my parents bought me 5 private lessons for my 8th birthday and it all started from there!

What’s one thing you love about working at Gooromon Park?

I love working at Gooromon Park as it allows me to express and share my passion with horses and be actively involved in developing better riders. Teaching is the optimal way for me to transform my experiences in the equestrian world into value for others.

Who is your favourite GP Horse/Pony?

Cinnamon, she was the first pony I rode.

What music gets you motivated for the day?

Justin Bieber obviously!

What do you feel is your best attribute that you bring to #TeamGP?

I feel that I bring real passion and energy to the team. I have a strong desire to help others and develop them as an all round equestrian athlete. With the background I have competing and training my own horse, I feel that I have the ability to really develop riders and help them achieve their goals.

What is something special about you most people don’t know?

I was born with a heart condition and horses aren’t my favourite animal, cats are. 🙂

Completing my first 1* event this year has definitely been a highlight, it’s been my goal since I was 12 years old.

What’s one thing you’d like to achieve in your riding or coaching in the next year?

I would like to qualify and compete in my first CCI International 3 day event with my horse Reprieve.

What’s one tip or insight you’ve learnt on your horsey journey that you’d like to share?

Planning, goal setting and hard work is the formula for success.

List three great qualities you admire in a GREAT coach?

Someone who has knowledge and experience of the sport, someone who sets goals and someone who encourages their athletes to believe in themselves.

Every parent knows that there may come a time when your child develops a love—maybe even an obsession—for horses. As former horsey kids ourselves, Gooromon Park’s instructors know first-hand that a love of horses is for life. 

Keep reading to learn more about why you should enrol your little horsey lover into our horse riding school in Canberra.

The Benefits of Our Horse Riding Lessons in Canberra

What parents may not know, however, is that horse riding can have many benefits to their child’s growth, emotional intelligence, compassion and concentration. We’ve put together some of the key benefits of horse riding, so you can see just how much your child can get out of this exciting sport!

Wholesome FUN!

Horses make wonderful buddies, and children are naturally attracted to them as companions, friends and partners in the sport. Isn’t it great to see your child having an amazing time without a TV screen or iPad involved? Horse riding is great for your child’s physical health and is a fantastic way to get them outdoors and learning something new!

Character BUILDING!

Handling, riding and caring for horses can develop a host of positive traits in children, including responsibility, accountability, patience, level-headedness, empathy, kindness, confidence and self-discipline.

Good for HEALTH!

Horse riding is terrific exercise. People who think the horse does all the work have never really ridden—just ask anyone who wakes up the morning after a trail ride to discover all of the little muscles in their core and legs they didn’t know about! 

Riding is an anaerobic exercise and can improve your child’s strength, balance, and flexibility. However, all of these benefits are nothing compared to the sheer joy that so many children get from learning to ride a horse.

‘Over the years, I have seen so many children benefit from the relationships they have established with horses in their riding,’ says Danielle Ffrench, Gooromon Park Chief Instructor.

‘The sense of pride the kids feel when they achieve something with their horses enhances their confidence and gives them reasons to stay on course. I’ve seen first-hand a child’s focus improve through riding—you can’t let your mind wander when you’re on a horse! Parents have been very proud to report how this concentration later shows up in their children’s school work.’

Okay, but Aren’t Horse Riding Lessons Expensive?

They don’t have to be. Plus, you don’t need to own a horse to involve your children with one. Enlisting the regular help of our qualified instructors at our horse riding school in Canberra is a great way to enjoy the benefits of riding without having to take on the costs and full-time care of a horse. Our staff know first-hand how wonderful riding has been for them—they love horses and can’t wait to share their knowledge!

Start your horse riding journey today and book your horse riding lessons in Canberra at Gooromon Park.

We run introductory lessons on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4 pm and all day on Saturday.

Contact us at (02) 6230 2230 today to secure your spot!