About OGARC

 
Orange Grove is for fun loving, like minded, adults that share a passion for horses and learning everything about them.

We have monthly Rallies on Sunday's , with the choice of Flat work, Poles, Show Jumping, and Cross Country lessons.  We are adding in special lessons of Working Equitation, so we can learn new skills and try something we otherwise might not get the chance to.  Lessons are an hour long, and you have the choice of 2 lessons during the day.  What options are available at the upcoming rally, will be emailed out to you.

Our members range from people who are re entering the “horse fraternity” or returning after raising a family to official competitors, and anything in between! Our members range from 18 to mature adults, so we have a good cross section of riders.

All of our Instructors are qualified and are always willing to help out with anything that you are trying to achieve with your horse, on or off the ground.

At Orange Grove Adult Riding Club, we aim to provide members with quality instruction from mostly EFA Level 1 & 2 Instructors or equivalent, in a relaxed, friendly and social environment.  Maybe you don’t have an arena at home or cannot afford a regular private lesson – this helps cut costs and give you access to facilities you may not normally have.

As members may have different riding disciplines/interests we will try to have a variety of instructors throughout the year to provide members with exposure to different coaching styles. Let us know what you would like to see at rallies – the club is here for you.

After a morning of equine education, we always end our day with a sit down lunch, and a glass of bubbly for everyone.  It is a great time to catch up with other members and swap knowledge and ideas with like minded members.

RALLY SCHEDULE – COMMUNICATION
Most of our committee have full time jobs, so our preferred method of correspondence is email. 

Rally registration is open from the day after the prior rally, until Friday prior to the current rally.  During the month you will receive a format of how the day will go and, you will be advised if we are going to have a talk from an outside presenter, or cover off some upcoming events.

COST OF RALLIES AND HOW YOU PAY
Each lesson is of one hour duration with a maximum of 4 riders (occasionally 5). 
Lessons charges are 1st Lesson $30.00, and 2nd Lesson $25.00 = $55.00 for 2 lessons on the day.  A great price for the level of instructors we have, and are quite cheap compared to other clubs.

Rally fees are to be paid via Nominate so you don't have to worry about having cash on the day.

If you can’t make a rally you have booked you need to contact the Rally Coordinator prior to the rally or lose your rally fee. Exceptional circumstances can be judged on a case by case basis, and sometimes your fee can be refunded or carried over the next rally. It takes a bit of juggling to accommodate cancelled classes and we don’t like to tell an instructor we only need them for two hours, when we have booked for three!!

At the rally, you can do lessons of the same discipline or different discipline, ie, two flatwork lessons or flatwork and jumping etc.  If you want to only do one lesson – the choice is yours.  You can also bring two different horses if you require, and do separate lessons on each.

RALLY FORMAT
Our rallies are held once a month at the Karinya Equestrian Centre, 27 Grant Street, Orange Grove. We have nine rallies per year, please refer to the rally page for dates, any changes we will inform you by email. Gates open at 7.30am, to allow members to yard horses and set up for lessons.

There is also the mandatory set up of jumps, opening of clubrooms, set up of tea and coffee etc. Even if you don’t participate in an activity, you are expected to assist with set-up and/or pack up, don’t be one of those people that like to watch while others do.

Lessons last an hour each with a 10 minute break in between for water/toilet breaks or change of gear. 

Please be on time for your class.  If you are late – please present yourself to instructor and apologize. This is not pony club, but if you arrive late and the class has already started, it can be a bit of a distraction to other members.

Although the Rally Coordinator allocates you to a class, please discuss or indicate on your join up form, your horse’s level and your riding capability.  We try to group classes accordingly, so that they flow better and you get the best instruction suited to your level.

If you are unsure, please speak with the Rally Coordinator or the instructor where you think you should be.  For example you might be an experienced rider, but your horse is off the track and green. You might be a beginner rider, but your horse is more experienced and been there done that – it is all relevant to class groupings.

FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS
After all lessons have finished, we get together in the club room for a sit down lunch with a beverage.  There is a roster that is run for lunches with sweet, savory and fruit options, which changes from summer to winter.  The roster is set up on join up day, for the year, so if you join half way through the year, you will still need to put your name down for a roster.  If you are unable to fill your roster, you need to organise for someone else to replace you.

We have newly refurbished clubrooms that will be open at the beginning of the day, with toilets, showers, kitchen facilities.  Cool drinks are available for purchase from the “canteen” fridge, which works on an honor system.  Please refer to price lists and put money in the container provided. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided complimentary.

ADULT RIDING CLUB ASSOCIATION CHALLENGES (ARCA)
We are part of the Adult riding Club Association, so are eligible to represent our club in these challenges.  There are various competitions, which is decided at the discretion of the holding club.  They will range from hacking to dressage to jumping, or a combination of all 3.  They are loads of fun and a good way to get a taste of competing in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.  If you don't want to compete, you can still come along and support the club.

SOME HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS!!!
We are a club and we need to work together to make it all happen. We aim to be a fun social club and as with any club there is set up and pack away at all rallies. We need to pitch in and help, as a club to do these things, rather than leaving it to the same people every month. 

Some requests have been made about riding stallions at the club. Unfortunately in line with EA insurance rules, we do not have a suitable stallion enclosure/box to accommodate a stallion. There are also issues with mares in season and beginner riders perhaps not being able to control their own horse’s reaction to a stallion. Therefore we are unable to accommodate them.

If any one has any issues or questions, please let a committee member know, so we can try to accommodate and so that everyone can have a great year!  We all want to get as much as we can out of our riding time.

​Also, we hold several events every year.  This is what finances the club, and helps keep rally costs down, so we need all hands on deck to help run these events, and keep up our clubs good name.  You are expected to help at 3 show a year and there is a roster, so please make sure you put your name down for which events and what you prefer to do.  There at jobs like running, marshalling, pencillers, scoring etc.