Russell Higgins Foundation Series
Three Clinics over six months.
The Intro Clinic is Stage 1; essential groundwork.
Stage 1 is prerequisite for Stage 2, and the Intro and Stage 2 together are prerequisite for riding in Stage 3.
Individual clinic details:
Stage 1 - Introduction to horsemanship.
11-12 October 2025
This is where it all starts - on the ground.
In our Stage 1 clinic you learn about horse psychology, how horses learn, how to build confidence and how to create responsiveness in order to stay safe and have fun on the ground. This clinic is the pre-requisite to most of our other clinics, both ridden and liberty.
Stage 2 - Control & Confidence in the Saddle
Dec 20-21 2025
The second clinic in the three foundation series clinics. This one is all about transferring your ground skills into the saddle with an emphasis on safety. Learn how to prepare your horse for riding and develop the "three essentials" in the saddle of lateral flexion, hind quarter yields and "go". Students must have completed a Stage 1 ground skills clinic with us.
Stage 3 - Advancing Horsemanship
March 28-29 2026
This is the third in our foundation series and concentrates on advancing the ground skills and riding from the previous two clinics. We cover increasing speed and distance on the ground, increasing responsiveness, introduce the support rein and translating to the saddle.
This is open to anyone who has completed the previous two clinics in the series.
Option 1: all 3 clinics in the Foundation Series for $1100
Option 2: Any 2 of the foundation clinics for $800
If you have already completed an intro clinic, then the
Stages 2 and 3 clinics can be bundled for $800. You can also opt for just stage one and two for $800.
Any single 2 day clinic is $440.
(Overnight your horse for $10 a night to the hosts. You are responsible for your own accommodation.)
For queries and bookings, message
Julie Smart
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Otaki.