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more than just riding lessons
About Parklands Stables
Parklands Stables is a professionally operated equestrian school in the Southern Highlands, just 90 minutes south of Sydney. We're dedicated to developing capable riders while safeguarding the long-term wellbeing of the horses who teach them. Whether you're new to the saddle, returning with experience, or seeking to develop existing skills further, you'll find empathic, skilled coaches, well-matched horses, and a welcoming community.
Every program at Parklands is intentionally designed. From early childhood experiences through to teenage development and structured adult riding lessons, we prioritise:
• Clear progression
• Safe, individual and small group learning
• Calm, consistent instruction
• Biomechanically sound schooling
• Thoughtful horse management
The riders who thrive here value both their partnerships with the horses, and the power of learning within a community. They care about the sustainability of equestrian sports and want to ride with purpose, compassion, and joy.
In a fast-moving world, the Parklands Stables offers something steady: structured education, professional leadership and a deep respect for the relationships between horse and human. Ours is a safe, inclusive space for riders of all ages to grow. We're here to help you build confidence and reach your goals in the way that works best for you.
For further information about our standards, click here
The Parklands Stables acknowledges that we walk upon the traditional lands of First Nations peoples.
We pay our respects to them and recognise the continuing gift of their cultures to the life and spirit of Australia.
We put children's safety and well being at the centre of everything we do.
OUR TEAM
Coaching Team
EMILIE HORNE , COACH
COACHING STYLE
Emillie likes to encourage a gentle, forward approach with the horses health and needs as a priority. She enjoys supporting riders to communicate effectively with horses and finds great joy in their delight when that door opens. Emilie is valued by our riders for her warmth, humour and the clarity of her communication on the arena. She's an empathic coach who supports riders to achieve their best without pressure or judgment.
QUALIFICATIONS
Emillie’s a qualified coach, rider and groom through the British
Horse Society (BHS) and holds a Technical Baccalaureate in Equine Management from Reaseheath College in England. She is currently undertaking her Equestrian Australia Coaching qualifications.
OWN RIDING
In the United Kingdom Emillie competed regularly in both eventing (80cm) and show jumping (1m). She's looking forward to finding her next competition horse in Australia.
EMILLIE’S CONTRIBUTION
Emillie’s education not only enables her to offer quality lessons, it also means she brings cutting edge safety, inclusive coaching practices, and high standards of horse welfare to the Parklands Stables team. Emilie is increasing the range of experiences riders can have with the horses to deepen the connection between them.
AMY VAN DER WAARDE, COACH
COACHING STYLE
Amy likes to empower her students with the rationale behind specific riding techniques and management practices. This, in combination with the trust relationship she builds with her students and the horses, is the basis for the support she is able to give riders and the confidence they develop. A strong communicator, with a lot of compassion and warmth, Amy's lessons are always fun and satisfying.
QUALIFICATIONS
Amy's coaching qualifications are from the Dutch Horse Society. She also studied Equine Sports and Business. at Landstede Raalte and she extended
her dressage training with a technical dressage course at the Takt Academy. Amy is currently undertaking herEquestrian Australia Coaching qualifications.
OWN RIDING
In the Netherlands Amy competed in Dressage at Medium and Advanced levels. She also took young horses out to competitions in show jumping and eventing. Amy's passionate about the education of young horses and the re-education of horses who have developed behavioural issues. While she hasn't found a horse of her own in Australia yet she is enjoying riding and training the Parklands Stables equine team very much.
AMY’S CONTRIBUTION
Amy brings experience in biomechanics and higher level dressage to Parklands Stables. She also contributed through her kind and skilled training of our equine team and commitment to high standards of horse welfare.
Equine Team
Our horses can support riders to build skills for general riding, show jumping to 80cm, elementary dressage and eventing to novice level. Our team are professionally schooled and enjoy their work. They give no more than two lessons per day, rest on Mondays. They live together in a substantial paddock where they're able to socialise. Read about some of our much loved team below.
ARI has competed in dressage, show jumping and cross country. He has a short, balanced stride which is very reassuring for nervous riders. He can be sharp off the leg for experienced riders but they need to prove themselves to him first. Ari was the very first member of The Parklands Stables team. He stands 15.3 hands.
Our grateful thanks to
for their ongoing support
BEN is a 17 hand thoroughbred who has competed in dressage, showjumping and eventing. His favourite phase is jumping and with an advanced rider he's very enthusiastic. He loves scratches and cuddles.
JULIAN is a 16 hand thoroughbred. He raced successfully for Godolphin (under the name Isaurian) and was retrained by Parklands Stables. He's proving to be a very calm horse and comfortable to ride. He has well established paces and is starting to show jump. Isaurian loves to play.
OLIVER stands 16 hands, and is an elegant thoroughbred with a very gentle nature. He's very relaxed and has lovely paces. He raced successfully and is now enjoying jumping, dressage and cross country.
LEON stands 16 hands and is a thoroughbred. Lightly raced he is the youngest of our team. A very chilled horse, he wants to please and enjoys getting to know new people. Leon's great passion is jumping and anyone who takes him around a track will be his lifelong friend.
HARRY is a 13 hand Quarter Horse X Appalouse X Shetland. He's very cute and very kind and gives lovely lessons to our younger riders.
ROSIE is just 10 hands tall and loves being brushed and cuddled. Rosie enjoys giving young children their first equestrian experiences and is very patient. She's the star of our Pony Preschool program.
FACILITIES
ARENA
We ride on 60 x 20m covered, fully irrigated German Soiltex arena with lighting, sound system & purpose-built mirrors.
ROUND YARD
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With a soiltex surface and great drainage, the round yard's not only a useful facility but has great views of the property.
TRAIL &
CROSS COUNTRY
We enjoy a beautiful 45 minute trail (for Parklands Stables regular riders only) and are currently building a cross country course.
SHOW JUMPS
We use Jump 4 Joy show jumps with FEI Safety Cups. Our tracks are built on a grass arena.
