Eden Valley Riding School in Eden Valley, South Australia | School

Eden Valley Riding School

Locality: Eden Valley, South Australia

Phone: +61 458 743 464

Address: 198 Keyneton Rd 5235 Eden Valley, SA, Australia

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• Sport & recreation
• School
• Horse riding centre

25.01.2022 Very proud and pleased to announce our first corporate sponsor, the wonderful team at Barossa Vet Service who have impressed us all with service, smiles, excellent work, and above all... kindness towards our beautiful horse crew. I look forward to a long and happy association. :)

25.01.2022 Students and carers please note: Hi all... well we had a major disruption this last week with me getting sick and my apologies for that. I'm mostly well again now and we can pick up the lessons again. Could you all please confirm bookings via my inbox as soon as you can? Thank you. B. :)

25.01.2022 Note to carers and students and horse pals... We're at maximum shedding time now and all the horses need a really good general grooming session and cleanup. So if anyone would like to drop in and lend a hand, you'll be most welcome and ... tea and coffee will be served! :)

24.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fg9_hL8HUk

23.01.2022 For those working on a home arena... Best surface Ive seen, used and worked with..... Schuberts Arena Mix, from Schuberts quarry at Carey Gully and available via Hunter Bros, Carey Gully unless you can transport it yourself. Great mix, made from crushed quartz and limestone, cleans and polishes hooves and esp. great for barefoot horses. Watch the wear rates as it can be a bit abrasive. Ive never had such clean and healthy feet as when we were using this mix. Hunter Bros are... very experienced with arenas and the best have a compacted foundation, approx 300mm covered by around 150 mm soft surface. The bottom layer is compacted and sloped away from the centre at around the 1-2 degrees slope, the top layer levelled and raked. Dont rip that bottom layer as it allows water to drain away. Edge drainage essential. Hunters did a brilliant job, including compacting and laser levelling... and theyd be first on my contractors list if I was to do it again. Excellent. :) See more

23.01.2022 Well heres a big welcome to EVRS new students and carers... Jana, Kade, Aliyah, Sam 1, Sam2, Mitchell, Jackson, and Stella! Great to see you all and wow, weve already got some GREAT riders and some GREAT young people and lots of fun ahead. Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Lets ride! :)

23.01.2022 Here's wishing all our friends, supporters and students a wonderful, safe and very Happy Christmas., from myself and of course from all the equine and canine crew here at Eden Valley. It has been a year like no other, and I doubt that any of us expected to go direct from the fires to the plague with hardly a break in between. It's a time to reflect, and I for one at least will never really be comfortable with taking the Christ out of Christmas, nor denying that, as crazy as... it might have been, there is so much to be thanful for. We got here, despite a year through which so many did not. So.. a very Merry Christmas to you all. Take care, stay safe, have a great holiday, love your family and our furry friends, and we'll see you all soon. <3 (PS: We will be conducting lessons next week and right through the school holidays. Just send me a message as usual and we'll see when. :) ) See more

23.01.2022 Q: Can empathy be taught? A: I believe it can be taught, and should be taught..and certainly WAS taught when I went to primary and high school. And later.. in the "quaint diplomatic" government department where I worked for so long.. we would quite often delay or defer automation at a particular site.. simply because the person doing the job held one of the last paid positions left in the tiny township where he lived. We would ramp some jobs up... I know one small town that h...ad its entire antiquated electricity reticulation upgraded.. all the way to the houses... simply because the scale of the project could bury the rewiring costs well under the budget. We gained a lot of good will in communities that way and we could get things done that had sometimes been neglected for years. So.. it made business sense too. Then came "economic rationalism" and almost overnight doing such empathetic side-works was no longer possible. Another area we were taught to understand, with empathy.... was the lives of our parents. We discussed in class what our parents did for a living... our economic circumstances at that time were much more even..and so there was little distinction between say, the son of a plumber or the son of a musician. What was common was that their job of keeping us fed and provided for... might have been the reason for what some of us might have seen as unfair, the absences, the tiredness, the worrying. We were taught to understand things beyond our personal wants, likes or dislikes. To read between lines, to seek a second level of consciousness. And truly... I dont believe it IS taught much these days. In fact, almost the opposite stance prevails.. "every man for himself." Empathy for the horse is one of the FIRST principles I teach. It is impossible to have a true, effective relationship with a horse without it. And despite what the "experts" say about anthropomorphism.... it IS an effective tool in getting youngsters to get into an empathic bond with that horse. We can sort out the technical details later.

22.01.2022 Tiara and Rosie, today. :)

22.01.2022 Out all afternoon with a special student, one who has been consistent in her dedication, and so, improvement, on Nugget...and yours truly on my dear mare, Sharifa, bareback and bitless. We did a lot of agility work, training Nugget to place his feet accurately through and over a myriad of natural obstacles, the "3-tries" theory working well and improvements happening all the way. We watch the stress levels closely...this is a horse that tries... hes intelligent and courageou...s and were careful not to push his brain too far. I intersperse the concentration with a release break regularly... and one break involves a flat-out gallop with both horses up a slope to a nice shady patch at the top. And I rest with Shari grazing peacefully under me, I see the delight on my students face and her horse with the wrinkles under the eyes vanished and hes happy and the stress of concentrated work has gone. And I just think... wow Im 65 and Ive just ridden my beautiful Arab like an American Indian...ha... no saddle, no bridle to insulate me from her...and she was fast, really fast.. kind and never put a foot wrong and the stop at the end was gentle and smooth... And I see this young person beside me in a similar state and realise that Ive helped this young lady go from an almost silent, introverted child to a horsewoman who is steadily becoming a master at what she does and loves... and now shes training a horse to do stuff that most riders never will reach. "I beat ya!" she said at the top. Only just, whipper-snapper. This is a girl that tries. Whatever success Ive had in life has always struck me as a surprise, I dont know why. But suddenly..through all the struggle and strife, the lies, the exploitation, the rip-offs encountered along the way.... this one thing, this moment of clarity, this realisation that just sometimes... it all comes together and well... something was right for a change... something worked. Some folks say I dont charge enough. Same folks that dont realise... its not about the money. Its about an idea, way back... an original.... tied in with the thought of doing some small good for the world... a realisation that what Id seen for myself..was real. A validation of thought and effort over many years, the thing that gives me purpose... wow, I did something... and it was right, and good. To see my student and horses working well together gave me a satisfaction that no money could possibly buy. :) See more

22.01.2022 Riding students, parents and carers please note: Just lately we have had an unprecedented number of cancellations due to illness and holidays away. It would appear that almost everyone is engaged elsewhere so Im going to have to change the date of our spring BBQ and bonfire to NEXT Saturday night 12th October fro 5pm to around midnight. My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause but if we were to hold it tomorrow night I think thered be just myself two dogs and 8 horses ipresent! And this...would be a waste of a most worthy looking bonfire! Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible, it WILL be a good night but just not for tomorrow. regards to all, Bernie.

22.01.2022 Our GFM fundraiser is so we can retire Sir Richard and replace him with a more suitable mount, especially for one of our students who has struck one of those AS...D walls lately. The riding was greatly beneficial for this girl, and she had bonded well with Richard. But on the trail ride in the pic on the fundraiser, I saw that Richard was starting to struggle, hes 25yo now and some of those early in his career racing injuries are starting to show. Sir Richard has been with me for ten years, has done many things, taught many folks to ride, and was one of the key horses in the group. Ten years ago he was a mighty charger, couldnt pull up under three furlongs and always wanted to race. With time and experience he developed into one fantastic trail horse, courageous, patient, gentle, strong and with that "go-anywhere" quality. Ill miss him very much, but Im hoping he can be a companion for Ted not far from here. Sir Richard, aka Richmond Lad, 4 starts, no wins no places. But a more champion trail horse and schoolmaster is going to be hard to find. <3 See more

21.01.2022 I think Cruiser might be slightly jealous of the attractive New Kid...

21.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzQ_MmKI0-s

20.01.2022 https://www.sbs.com.au/ondem/video/1701828163650/fast-horse

20.01.2022 Great work today on two of our horses from Barossa Veterinary Service . Shari and Nugget for teeth and Nugget for a snotty nose and a bean". Cant recommend BVS any higher, great work and a friendly nature. Long may they be our vets! :)

18.01.2022 "Nothing educates quite like a horse. Without losing the meaning by verbalizing abstractions, the horse silently sends his messages. The education prevails. His... rider must, and will listen. He will become better for it. For courage, wisdom born of insight and humility, empathy born of compassion and love, all can be bequeathed by a horse to his rider. The rider becomes the humble recipient of the bounty only his horse can give him. Character improves, virtues multiply, wisdom deepens by the riders association with his horse." - Charles de Kunffy, Ethics & Passions of Dressage p. 28 Fun fact: Did you know this is actually a statue of Charles?! It stands in Budapest, Hungary.

18.01.2022 EVRS is now looking for a new horse. He will have a great future, a loving home and many admirers. Some basic specs: Preferably a gelding, 15-16hh, 10-15yo, reasonable education, quiet in nature, sound and healthy. He might have some draught in his blood, might possibly be harness trained as well. And he might not be the worlds best jumper or the fastest.... but he will be suitable for beginners and have that certain something I need in a horse that will be employed in helping along children with learning difficulties. Up to around the $3k mark, possibly a bit more for the right horse. Please spread the word. Thank you. :)

18.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/results

18.01.2022 Some shots of our students in action...in greener times! :)

17.01.2022 Did you know that how you hold the reins affects how balanced and stable you will be when your horse spooks or trips? Or that it also affects not just your rein... contact but how fluidly your whole body is able to move in sync with your horse? Gripping the reins too tight or holding them too loosely can be equally as negative for your riding. This has to do with stabilizing versus mobilizing muscles as well as the difference between mobile or too-tensed joints. In this video, I will show you how to hold the reins, so they don't slide out of your hands, you can maintain good contact, and be soft on your horse's mouth. Click Here to Watch: https://www.crktrainingblog.com//how-you-hold-the-reins-c/

16.01.2022 Hi all.... Folks..if youre coming here today for horsemanship lessons please DO NOT park under the big gums in the driveway. Wind is around 40kph gusting to 70 or more and 25 tonnes of wood on your car wont be a good outcome, ok. :)

16.01.2022 Nicki has been quietly working here "Bowenising" our horses for the last couple of months with weekly treatments, and the improvements are amazing. So often we see our horses without realising that that huge set of muscles belong to a creature who cant express (to the uninitiated) signs of pain or soreness. and I must admit I knew very little of Bowen therapy before Nicki started. She has now, like our wonderful vet team... become part of my hidden network of trusted experts. A great person, doing great work.... highly recommended.

16.01.2022 https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/equine-therapy-chan

15.01.2022 Hi all... Really sorry to have to tell you this... but my school is currently booked out until the end of September at least. I will advise as vacancies occur beyond. We now have a small waiting list and I'm happy to add your name to that if so desired. Priority will be given to NDIS clients engaging in the 10 session courses. Fees will be rising for future casual students to $120 per 2-hour session with a small discount for those engaging in 10- session terms. Curren...t students will not be affected by this change until the New Year. (Demand, and feed costs have created this issue.) regards, Bernie :) PS: Please note: With the 10 session terms... cancellations without at least 24 hours notice are charged to the client, whereas weather cancellations will, as usual, be at EVRS cost.

15.01.2022 Some more from CRK training. (And you've ALL heard me correct you on ALL these items ok... ;) )

15.01.2022 More training.. :) https://www.crktrainingblog.com//how-you-hold-the-reins-/

15.01.2022 Best vets weve ever had and I am so thankfull for the support. Barossa folks take note... we are here, we are staying and the community need for our work is high. But we need that support. If youd like to be involved... call Bernie on 0458 743464.

14.01.2022 I know quite a few friends and associates have lost property and homes in these awful fires. For the last couple of days Ive been struggling with some sort of... heat exhaustion but Im better now, still a bit shaky but can move. Sorry for the late notice on this: I have a two horse float ready to go and can temporarily house 2-3 horses at Eden Valley. At the moment we are still downwind of the fire though. So if anyone is desperate for transport, short term horse shelter or a place to stay.... I also have two spare bedrooms... yours if you need it. regards and best wishes to all.. Bernie 0458 743464.

14.01.2022 On the EVRS Bonfire Night, we will place a tin on the shed table for donations for this project by Foundation Barossa. Please think.... our students are covered for riding by generous carers and NDIS. But there are many kids out there, in this now-lush and plentiful area, who qualify for nothing. These kids are falling through the cracks... mental health issues at home, covid job losses, and as the article below states... many complex issues. And we don't know how many, except that there are now many more than in the pre-covid days. EVRS was struggling a while back, and Foundation Barossa tried to help. We're ok now, so I think we can at least try to return some of that effort. :)

13.01.2022 Announcing... tada! Our Spring Bonfire Night and BBQ will be held on Saturday evening 10th October 2020 from approximately 6pm to 11pm. All students, past and present, carers, mums, dads, families and friends welcome. There will be our traditional sausage sizzle and admission is free. Please bring a salad or something to share and a musical instrument if you're happy to play. :) <3 :)

13.01.2022 Annie Oakley, "Little Miss Sureshot" - M.Wesitling Attitude. :)

13.01.2022 Bee there or bee-square! :)

12.01.2022 To all who helped us find Nugget.... our deepest thanks. :)

11.01.2022 Its not just about the Riding for Tiara, but the little things that Bernard Keogh does that counts ;)

11.01.2022 Hi! Eden Valley Riding School will hold our annual bonfire and BBQ on Saturday 1st August. Students past and present, carers and friends... all welcome. Please bring a friend and something to share.... 3pm to midnight or so, 01/08/2020 :)

10.01.2022 Hi all.... Folks..if you're coming here today for horsemanship lessons please DO NOT park under the big gums in the driveway. Wind is around 40kph gusting to 70 or more and 25 tonnes of wood on your car won't be a good outcome, ok. :)

10.01.2022 Students and carers please note: Well... it is with great reluctance that I have decided to close EVRS for at least a fortnight to see how this thing pans out. Ill revise this decision continuously and let you know when we might be able to start up again. Im really sorry to have to do this as I know quite a few students will be rattled without the weekly horse work and we will miss our students very much. I have made this decision after much thought... but the escape of the... virus into the local community via the tour buses has swung the weight. Most of the towns around here are shut down and, apart from any virus concerns... I feel it would be most remiss of us to continue when all the advice has been to the contrary and the whole country is making a concerted effort to beat CV. I trust this message finds you and your families safe and well, looking forward to the future and...staying home! my love and best wishes to all... Stay safe! See more

09.01.2022 Tallest living horse Big Jake measures an astonishing 20 hands 2.75 in (210.19 cm, 82.75 in)

09.01.2022 Riding students, parents and carers..... Hi....does anybody out there have any spare stimming equipment that you might like to donate to EVRS? Particularly interested in rocking stools, and a spidey swing. Thank you. B.

09.01.2022 https://facts.net/nature/animals/horse-facts

08.01.2022 Excellent. My horses health is in good hands. :)

08.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaHHMM_UIkY

08.01.2022 Experiences like this are why little Toby has joined the EVRS family. They may be small but they have the ability to make a huge impact

08.01.2022 We've been using the "checklist" quite a bit here recently, and I see now that EA has put out something similar...particularly for younger riders. Slightly different to mine but it also has a few extras..

07.01.2022 Hi all.... Just to let you know Eden Valley Riding School is looking for a wagon similar to the one below. It will be used to give disadvantaged youngsters (and associated carers!) an equine experience that doesn't involve riding. Sadly, the one in the pic is not for sale, but if you or anyone you know has something similar and would like to sell and see it much loved and used for a good purpose then please give me (Bernie) a call on 0458 743464. Or inbox via Facebook. Thank you!

07.01.2022 Riders and carers please note: School hols started tonight, for me anyway. I will accept bookings any time from 7am to 7pm any day for the next fortnight or so. Bonfire and bring-a-plate night will be held Saturday night 5th October. Current, new and prospective students all welcome. 6pm to 11pm. Donation tin will be on the table as usual and yes, we are starting another fund raising campaign for another new horse for the school. Hope we can find another gold Nugget!

06.01.2022 Hi folks... Something has been wrong with my messaging.. (Ve haf zer technical interrrrruption!) so if you have been trying to get through then please try again. And ...yeah.. Im sorry but I didnt realise this was happening. :)

06.01.2022 http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/mammals/horses

06.01.2022 Hi Folks.... Just a quick note to the Term 2 carers... We have quite a few outstanding invoices at the moment. While I understand the delays in the NDIS system, I do need folks to understand that those fees are critical to our continuance....... could you please make sure those claims are in and light a fire under the providers.... thank you. regards Bernie. :)

05.01.2022 Wow! Four hours of gentle, steady rain that seems to have put out most of the remaining fires in our area. I cant tell you how relieved I am right now. I think this has been the longest rain burst for around 2-3 years, at least here on the farm. Thank you all for the support and good wishes over the last few weeks. It really did hold my spirits up. I hope we can restart the riding lessons now, at least for a while..... but theres still a lot of summer ahead. So...taking bookings! Lets get on with it... :)

05.01.2022 " Learning how to identify, respect, and gradually stretch their comfort zones is a major tool in mentoring kids on the spectrum." - and thats exactly what we do with EAL. :)

05.01.2022 Hi all.... Been a while since I last-posted, so this is just to let you all know were still here, still going and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a great New Year.... And especially... to thank you all for supporting us through what was quite an eventful year. Biggest news was the arrival of Toby and Nugget, both of whom have settled in nicely. These two came about after much campaigning, a Go-Fund-Me, and a monster sausage sizzle at Mitre 10 in Nuriootpa. And ...both are proving to be our local champions.... even Toby the mischief! Many sincere thanks to all who participated, organised T-shirts and sausages, made stuff, sold stuff, saved pocket money and sent out our messages all the way from EV to various parts all around the globe. It was a fantastic effort and made me so proud of you all. And... we might have our first real corporate sponsor! More on this later.... ;) Heres some very recent pics of a group trail ride last Sunday. Another big effort at Mt Crawford Forest. Ok..thats it for now but there will be more news soon. And heres a few notes: - We will be open for business during school holidays, 7 days/wk, 7am to 7pm. - We have vacancies for around 3-4 dedicated students at the moment, but will cap the numbers as those positions fill. - Professional carers with either one student or small groups are welcome to discuss lessons and visits. - We can arrange support for "Planned" or "Self-managed" NDIS clients. - We will continue to offer as low a charge rate as possible for mental health or disadvantaged students. - Please note that the school will be closed on Severe Fire Danger days or days above 33C. Contact the school for confirmation. OK... Best Wishes to All! regards, Bernie (ph.. 0458 743464) Eden Valley Riding School - where horses and humans grow. :)

05.01.2022 STUDENTS, PARENTS, CARERS, AND SUPPORTERS

04.01.2022 Hi folks.... This is to announce that EVRS now has vacancies for two to three full-term students. Preference will be given to children with diagnosed learning difficulties and who can attend during weekdays. (Possibly one weekend position). We can work with your NDIS funding. But this factor will not preclude those without, and we can be a tad flexible with our already low fees. For further information please inbox me or call on 0458 743464. Note: These vacancies ar...e becoming increasingly rare as most students are now engaged in full school-term arrangements. Casual students are still welcome, but times for those are becoming limited and by advance appointment only. Regards to all. Eden Valley Riding School, Where Horses and Humans Grow. :) See more

04.01.2022 https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-new-horse-for-our-special-stud

03.01.2022 You'll need to draw up or copy a basic chart. There are many available on the net. When you complete a level, you can move up to the next. 11 minutes per day. Get Mum and Dad to join in! :)