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Image: The Straits Times
More and more people in Singapore are learning horse-riding, which is being offered by at least five horse-riding schools and clubs here.
Ms Maneesha Shanker, 22, manager of Gallop Stable at Horsecity, says horse-riding in Singapore is getting more accessible and affordable and no longer a membership-only activity. Gallop Stable, which started in Pasir Ris in 2003, is one of the earliest facilities here to offer non- membership-based horse-riding classes. Due to rising demand, it has since opened three more branches - in Horsecity, Punggol and Johor Baru. Gallop Stable, Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre and National Equestrian Centre do not require membership for participation. Their fees start at between $50 and $90 for a 45-minute class a person for a group class, and between $70 and $150 a person for a one-to-one 45-minute class.
Bukit Timah Saddle Club is membership-based, but it started offering horse-riding activities to the public in 2014. Mr Anthony Lowry, 38, general manager and a head coach at Bukit Timah Saddle Club, says the Singapore Youth Olympic Games in 2010 helped give a boost to the horseriding scene here.
Besides expatriates, more Singaporeans are signing up, say clubs here. While many riders are schoolgoing children, there are also parents who pick up the sport after seeing their children enjoying it, or because they want to ride as a family. Some working adults ride to de-stress. It helps that the centres offer myriad activities to cater to different interests and levels, from beginner to advanced. Riders can choose to attend individual or group classes, and also ad- hoc classes or a four- to 10-session course. There are also classes on horse care and stable management. Inter-club competitions are held as often as twice a month.
Singapore Polo Club recently started a quadrilles class, where horse-riding is synchronised to music. Most riding centres also offer photo shoots on horseback for wedding couples and organise birthday parties for children. Bukit Timah Saddle Club and National Equestrian Centre conduct one-off and weekly pony camps and lessons for those aged three to 15, to teach horse-riding and care of horses. The centre also takes pony roadshows to schools, community clubs and other public spaces where people can groom and feed ponies as well as ride them.
Where to go:
BUKIT TIMAH SADDLE CLUB
The club's history goes back to 1951, when the Singapore Turf Club had its race track nearby. It now has 95 horses and ponies, 95 stables and more than 10 horse-riding coaches.
While horse-riding activities (above) are open to the public, one can also join as a member. A lifetime membership starts at $6,000.
Where: 51 Fairways Drive
When: 7 to 11am and 3.30 to 7pm, Tuesdays to Sundays
Info: http://btsc.org.sg
GALLOP STABLE
The focus here is on horse-riding as a leisure activity. It has 190 horses and ponies, 200 stables and about 10 riding instructors.
Participants pay a one-time registration fee of $20 to sign up for the classes, which range from beginner to advanced.
One-off lessons, which require no registration fee, start at $10 for a pony ride for those aged three and older.
Where: Gallop Stable @ Horsecity (Bukit Timah), 100 Turf Club Road; Gallop Stable @ Pasir Ris, 61 Pasir Ris Green Carpark C; Gallop Stable @ Punggol Ranch, 900 Punggol Road
When: 8am to 8pm, Tuesdays to Sundays
Info: www.gallopstable.com
NATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
Set up in 2011, it is a centre for public outreach programmes under the Equestrian Federation of Singapore. It is located at National Equestrian Park, part of a 25ha equestrian zone, which also includes Singapore Polo Club and Riding for the Disabled.
The school does not charge membership fees and runs outreach programmes for all ages, including a pony playgroup for those aged three to six; Let's Ride for those aged six to 16; and a horsemaster's course for adults,which teaches the basics of horsemanship and safety.
The school has about 35 horses and ponies, three riding coaches and 40 stables.
Where: 100 Jalan Mashhor
When: 7 to 11am and 4 to 7pm, Tuesdays to Sundays
Info: http://nec.org.sg
SINGAPORE POLO CLUB
One of the oldest sporting and social clubs here, it was set up in 1886 and now has 220 horses and ponies, 270 stables, six riding coaches and three polo coaches.
It offers the public a three-month membership for riding lessons at $200 a month. Those who wish to continue after that have to buy a full membership, the cost of which the club declined to reveal.
There is also a pony club that is open to the public.
Where: 80 Mount Pleasant Road
When: 7am to 10pm daily
Info: Go to www.singaporepoloclub.org or e-mail enquiry@singaporepoloclub.org
SINGAPORE TURF CLUB RIDING CENTRE
Managed by the Singapore Turf Club, it opened in November 2009 to introduce horse-riding to the public at affordable prices. It does not charge membership fees and is the only riding centre with its own equine surgical facility. It has more than 40 horses, 60 stables and four riding instructors.
Where: 1 Equestrian Walk
When: 10am to 8pm on weekdays, 10.45am to 8pm on weekends
Info: www.stc-ridingcentre.com
Adapted from The Straits Times.