Your first horse riding lesson in Robertson with Sandy Lucas
Starting from scratch or returning to riding? Find out how to arrange your lesson, what to bring and how the horse and payment arrangements work.
You don’t need riding experience or a horse of your own to get started at Ridgeview Farm. Sandy Lucas welcomes complete beginners, riders returning after a break and experienced riders working towards particular goals.
Lessons take place at Ridgeview in Robertson, in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Here’s how to arrange your first visit and feel prepared when you arrive.
Start with a conversation
Contact Sandy directly and tell her a little about the rider:
- Their age and any previous riding experience.
- What they would like to learn or improve.
- Whether they will bring their own horse or need to arrange one.
- Anything they feel nervous about.
- Their preferred lesson dates.
If you’ve never been on a horse before, say so. Sandy can talk you through the arrangements and help organise what you need.
Do you need your own horse?
You can bring your own horse or arrange to ride one of Sandy Lucas’s horses.
Any supplied horse is provided by Sandy directly. Ridgeview provides the facilities and does not supply horses. Discuss horse availability, suitability, equipment and any associated charges with Sandy before booking.
If you’re bringing your own horse, confirm what tack and equipment you need to bring.
Choosing instruction that suits you
A useful first conversation should help you understand the coach’s experience, teaching approach and suitability for your goals. Ask how lessons are adapted to your experience and how progress will be assessed.
Sandy’s qualifications include EA Level 1 General Coach and EA Level 2 Eventing Coach. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your riding, explain what you want to achieve so she can discuss a suitable lesson.
What should you wear and bring?
Ask Sandy to confirm clothing, footwear and helmet requirements before your visit, including what equipment she can arrange for you.
Comfortable long trousers are a practical starting point. Bring drinking water and clothing suited to the forecast. Confirm suitable riding footwear with Sandy rather than assuming any closed-toe shoe will do.
If you already have a riding helmet or other equipment, let her know so she can advise whether it is suitable.
What happens in a beginner lesson?
Your first lesson should begin at a level that suits your experience and confidence. Sandy will explain the session and guide you through the activities she considers appropriate.
That may include becoming comfortable around the horse, mounting, finding your balance and learning basic steering and stopping. Progress depends on the rider and horse. There is no fixed number of lessons by which you need to trot, canter or jump.
If something feels unfamiliar or worrying, tell Sandy. Understanding what you’re being asked to do is part of learning.
Booking, waiver and payment
Book your lesson directly with Sandy and confirm her instruction fee and any horse arrangements before travelling. Instruction is paid directly to Sandy.
For a lesson held at Ridgeview, the separate facility fee is $25 per rider, per lesson visit, paid through the website. Paying the facility fee does not book a lesson with Sandy.
Complete the rider waiver before riding at Ridgeview. For riders under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete and sign it. The website provides the waiver and facility-fee payment pages.
Before you leave home
Confirm the lesson date, arrival arrangements and what you need to bring. If the weather or ground conditions may affect the session, check with Sandy before travelling.
If heavy rain affects your lesson at Ridgeview, access to Wallaby Hill Farm’s indoor arena can be arranged, subject to availability. A separate arena charge may apply, but Ridgeview’s $25 facility fee is not payable for a lesson held at Wallaby Hill’s indoor arena. You won’t pay both facility fees. Confirm arrangements with Sandy before travelling.
Ready to arrange a lesson?
Contact Sandy on 0409 901 235 or email sandylucas67@gmail.com.
Lessons with Sandy · Rider waiver · Pay facility fee · Directions
