Testimonials
Marianna what did you do to me, I really am hooked to horse-riding again after this amazing day!?! So enjoyed today (and staying at the farm stay)... Breathtaking scenery and fun for both experienced and beginner riders . Amazing yeey!!!
Alice Lagas
trek to Sapphire Springs
Hi Marianna Thank you!!!! I really enjoyed the long weekend riding we did at Lakes Ranch Auckland Anniversary weekend. I think it was just what I needed and it was so interesting meeting other like-minded individuals. I felt right at home. I really enjoyed stretching myself a bit by doing new things like that steep hill climb (!) however I must thank Tash also for putting me on the perfect horse for me in Bolero, he was a joy to ride ? I wanted to take him home with me so much!. The highlight for me was the fantastic full moon night ride though ? so awesome to see the glowworms and just putting all your trust in your horse letting your them ?see? the way. What a crazy cool experience to take home.
Rachel Taylor
Thank you
Marianna, a massive thank you!!! Words can't describe what you did to me and Lily my horse. We are a team now and can only go forwards, nothing can hold us back now and my confidence will grow in leaps and bounds. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! :)))
Petra and Vaughan from Raglan
confidence back
Hello Marianna, Good on you, making the treks safe and fun for all, and claiming what is rightfully yours. Love Sharon
Sharon Holding
riding rules
To marianna and Alana,you and Alana are the best horse riding teachers in the world. Thank you for letting me come today( to the beach) I have never had horse riding teachers like this before. If you need my help in the holidays and weekends, I'm always free so I hope I can help out. I love you both very much. Love from your horse riding student, Janna de Graaf.
best riding teachers
Happy riding student
Hi Marianna, I've been meaning to write a quick thank you for giving Sophie, Fuschia and myself such a wonderful time on our long awaited and much anticipated horse trek on Queens Birthday Monday. The girls loved it so much, you should have been in the car on the way home hearing them excitedly saying they can now canter and jump. They gained so much confidence and absolutely loved their horses snoopy and freckle. Sophie said it was more fun than Movie World where we all visited together last Oct, so that really is saying something. It was really lovely meeting you and thanks again for making us feel so welcome. kind regards Deb Brett
Deb Brett
thanks Marianna
Just a quick note to say Thankyou for the ride. I havent had that much fun riding a horse for many years. I was about to sell up all my horses and gear. Then I got offered Cheico. And thanks to your ride and the lovely people, and now that I have bought Cheico I will NOT be giving up. Thankyou, hope to see you guys again soon. LISA WILTON
Lisa Wilton
riding with Horses4fun
I can wholeheartedly say this is a great place to (learn to) ride, Marianna has a wonderful way with kids, and their place really is a little Paradise ;) Oh and not just wonderful with kids, lmao , you know what I mean! :)
Hanneke Broekema
great place
Thank you Marianna for organising the Omahu Valley Trek this weekend (October 2011). It was amazing and breathtaking! Thank you SO much for letting me ride your wonderful Prince, I am so grateful that he took me safely up and down all those amazing mountains. Thank you again and GO the ALL BLACKS!!!!!!!!
Anne Lowe
"Prince´s biggest fan"
I spent 4 weeks with Marianna and I loved it so much that I came back again before flying home! I really loved living on the farm with the horses, for me it was a perfect dream. I could spend as many hours with the horses as i wanted. All of her horses are such good natured and the dogs were lovely too. I was made to feel at home there and I did feel like part of the family, they are are all truely lovely. I would definatly recomend anyone to stay here, it's in a fantastic location, and the family and the horses are wonderful. I enjoyed the work too, and I got to ride along the beach on my birthday which is something ive always wanted to do! So thank you Marrianna for letting me stay, I hope to come back again one day.
Laura Millard
great time
I have recommended you to everyone I met who is interested in trekking and will continue to do so when I go home if I know anyone who is coming to NZ and wants to do some. Many thanks again - it has rekindled my love of horses and riding just when I thought I was past it in term sof my age!!!( 60+) Ruth Mathews ( UK)
Ruth Mathews ( UK)
thank you
Hi Marianna, just to say thanks so much for letting me ride out with your group on the Taupiro Point Beach trek on 3rd Jan. I'd class myself as a very nervous rider and when I was faced with the task of riding in a group of 23 I felt a little overwhelmed and anxious to say the least ! After initially trying to keep my horse at the back of the ride, I soon realised she wanted to be near the front, so this is where I went and she was much happier. It was great how the trek kept stopping to let the folks at the back catch up. I must admit then when some of the lead riders allowed their horses to canter up a couple of the hills, I had a huge rush of nerves, but as soon as I called out and asked them to slow down, they did straight away. I even decided to have a small canter on the beach on the way back to camp, and it felt GREAT !!! I am still a very nervous rider, but felt that all the fellow riders listened when I voiced my concerns which really helped my confidence. See you again !!
Natasha Dyson
WooHoo !!
Hey Marianna Love the photos of the trek!!! Thankyou so much for letting me ride Prince on the Matakana trek he was awesome!! Thankyou also for organising the trek it was amazing!!! It was so amazing that I would like to come on the next trek to Matakana. I had the best time ever I didn't want to come home!! On your website I see that you have one organised for March. It would be great to see the Pohutakawa in flower and have another few days in paradise again!! It has taken me 3 days to get back to reality! Thanks again Marianna Kind regards Shelley Clow- MataMata
Shelley Clow
Matakana island trek
Marianna what did you do to me, I really am hooked to horse-riding again after this amazing day!?! So enjoyed today (and staying at the farm stay)... Breathtaking scenery and fun for both experienced and beginner riders . Amazing yeey!!!
Alice Lagas
trek to Sapphire Springs
Hi Marianna Thank you!!!! I really enjoyed the long weekend riding we did at Lakes Ranch Auckland Anniversary weekend. I think it was just what I needed and it was so interesting meeting other like-minded individuals. I felt right at home. I really enjoyed stretching myself a bit by doing new things like that steep hill climb (!) however I must thank Tash also for putting me on the perfect horse for me in Bolero, he was a joy to ride ? I wanted to take him home with me so much!. The highlight for me was the fantastic full moon night ride though ? so awesome to see the glowworms and just putting all your trust in your horse letting your them ?see? the way. What a crazy cool experience to take home.
Rachel Taylor
Thank you
Marianna, a massive thank you!!! Words can't describe what you did to me and Lily my horse. We are a team now and can only go forwards, nothing can hold us back now and my confidence will grow in leaps and bounds. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! :)))
Petra and Vaughan from Raglan
confidence back
Hello Marianna, Good on you, making the treks safe and fun for all, and claiming what is rightfully yours. Love Sharon
Sharon Holding
riding rules
To marianna and Alana,you and Alana are the best horse riding teachers in the world. Thank you for letting me come today( to the beach) I have never had horse riding teachers like this before. If you need my help in the holidays and weekends, I'm always free so I hope I can help out. I love you both very much. Love from your horse riding student, Janna de Graaf.
best riding teachers
Happy riding student
Hi Marianna, I've been meaning to write a quick thank you for giving Sophie, Fuschia and myself such a wonderful time on our long awaited and much anticipated horse trek on Queens Birthday Monday. The girls loved it so much, you should have been in the car on the way home hearing them excitedly saying they can now canter and jump. They gained so much confidence and absolutely loved their horses snoopy and freckle. Sophie said it was more fun than Movie World where we all visited together last Oct, so that really is saying something. It was really lovely meeting you and thanks again for making us feel so welcome. kind regards Deb Brett
Deb Brett
thanks Marianna
Just a quick note to say Thankyou for the ride. I havent had that much fun riding a horse for many years. I was about to sell up all my horses and gear. Then I got offered Cheico. And thanks to your ride and the lovely people, and now that I have bought Cheico I will NOT be giving up. Thankyou, hope to see you guys again soon. LISA WILTON
Lisa Wilton
riding with Horses4fun
I can wholeheartedly say this is a great place to (learn to) ride, Marianna has a wonderful way with kids, and their place really is a little Paradise ;) Oh and not just wonderful with kids, lmao , you know what I mean! :)
Hanneke Broekema
great place
Thank you Marianna for organising the Omahu Valley Trek this weekend (October 2011). It was amazing and breathtaking! Thank you SO much for letting me ride your wonderful Prince, I am so grateful that he took me safely up and down all those amazing mountains. Thank you again and GO the ALL BLACKS!!!!!!!!
Anne Lowe
"Prince´s biggest fan"
I spent 4 weeks with Marianna and I loved it so much that I came back again before flying home! I really loved living on the farm with the horses, for me it was a perfect dream. I could spend as many hours with the horses as i wanted. All of her horses are such good natured and the dogs were lovely too. I was made to feel at home there and I did feel like part of the family, they are are all truely lovely. I would definatly recomend anyone to stay here, it's in a fantastic location, and the family and the horses are wonderful. I enjoyed the work too, and I got to ride along the beach on my birthday which is something ive always wanted to do! So thank you Marrianna for letting me stay, I hope to come back again one day.
Laura Millard
great time
I have recommended you to everyone I met who is interested in trekking and will continue to do so when I go home if I know anyone who is coming to NZ and wants to do some. Many thanks again - it has rekindled my love of horses and riding just when I thought I was past it in term sof my age!!!( 60+) Ruth Mathews ( UK)
Ruth Mathews ( UK)
thank you
Hi Marianna, just to say thanks so much for letting me ride out with your group on the Taupiro Point Beach trek on 3rd Jan. I'd class myself as a very nervous rider and when I was faced with the task of riding in a group of 23 I felt a little overwhelmed and anxious to say the least ! After initially trying to keep my horse at the back of the ride, I soon realised she wanted to be near the front, so this is where I went and she was much happier. It was great how the trek kept stopping to let the folks at the back catch up. I must admit then when some of the lead riders allowed their horses to canter up a couple of the hills, I had a huge rush of nerves, but as soon as I called out and asked them to slow down, they did straight away. I even decided to have a small canter on the beach on the way back to camp, and it felt GREAT !!! I am still a very nervous rider, but felt that all the fellow riders listened when I voiced my concerns which really helped my confidence. See you again !!
Natasha Dyson
WooHoo !!
Hey Marianna Love the photos of the trek!!! Thankyou so much for letting me ride Prince on the Matakana trek he was awesome!! Thankyou also for organising the trek it was amazing!!! It was so amazing that I would like to come on the next trek to Matakana. I had the best time ever I didn't want to come home!! On your website I see that you have one organised for March. It would be great to see the Pohutakawa in flower and have another few days in paradise again!! It has taken me 3 days to get back to reality! Thanks again Marianna Kind regards Shelley Clow- MataMata
Shelley Clow
Matakana island trek