• Kids Home
• What's On
• Features
• 
• 
• Bookmark this site

A new equestrian centre offers kids the chance to escape city life. Adele Rosi saddles up to find out more

If you think your child might want to follow in the footsteps of Olympic rider Alex Hua Tian, or you fancy saddling up and having a go yourself, help might just be at hand.

Step forward Nicky Loiterton, the driving force behind the Clearwater Bay Equestrian and Education Centre (CEEC). Situated right at the end of Lung Ha Wan Road, on the edge of the Clearwater Bay Country Park, the recently opened equestrian centre is an impressive addition to the area. What was once a scrubby, barely used wasteland has been transformed into a top-notch stable, complete with a large covered area, two round outdoor pens, a large jumping arena, a room filled with spanking new tack, a children’s play area (sponsored by Toys R’Us), and of course, the stable yard itself and its glossy-coated, four-legged residents.

“The problem in Hong Kong is that people tend to turn up for their lessons and then leave, but we want this to be a family hangout,” says Loiterton, who used to run a stable in Shek Kong and has her own family of four. “As well as the riding, we have access to beautiful beaches, there’s fantastic hiking all around us and lovely picnicking and kite-flying spots… so we hope that families will come and make a day of it.”

Although privately owned with memberships up for grabs, the CEEC is a public riding school – and a flexible one at that. It teaches all levels of children and adults alike, offering everything from pony rides on a lead rein for young children (six is considered the ideal age to start proper lessons) to competition-standard riding. You can visit for a one-off lesson, become a regular member or go as far as to have your own horse stabled there in full livery for your exclusive use. Riding clothes and equipment can either be hired or bought from the on-site shop, The Helm, which also sells animal-inspired gifts.

What Loiterton stresses though is that everyone has to be part of the tacking and leading process before and after their lesson.

“Unlike other riding schools, participants have to learn how to tack a horse themselves,” she says. “If children are late for their lesson, they still have to go through the routine before they can actually get on their horse.”

The horses themselves, of which there are currently 20 in situ but whose numbers will eventually swell to 40, range from 11-hand-tall ponies, which are perfect for young beginners, to ex-champion racehorses. Loiterton explains that they were hand-picked; vet checked and rigorously put through their paces to ensure that their temperaments were particularly gentle and suited to the daily demands of a public riding school.

“We have literally travelled the world in search of the right horses,” she says. “We know the history of each one and my instructor personally did everything from tickling them to riding them to make absolutely sure that they were well-trained and a billion percent, all-round gorgeous animals. Some of the kids who come here may have never even seen a horse up close so they [the horses] have got to have the sweetest and most patient natures. To enjoy riding, confidence in your horse is everything.

“Similarly, my staff have been chosen because they love animals – not simply because they need a job.”

The CEEC’s instructors are all impressively qualified – Sarah Corner, director of stable management and instruction, has the highest riding accreditation, the British Horse Society Instructor qualification, under her belt – and the grooms are expected to learn to ride rather than simply muck out and leave.

As its name suggests, the CEEC is not just about riding but aims to educate the community about animals in general. Affiliated to the centre is The Ark, a charity which promotes responsible pet ownership, kindness and respect for animals. As well as the horses, there are always a couple of highly friendly dogs around, and Loiterton is aiming to introduce a petting farm with rabbits, goats, donkeys, pigs and the like.

Particularly brilliant for Hong Kong kids, whose contact with animals may be limited, are the centre’s “hangout days”. From 10am until 5pm, children get a taste of country life, during which they shadow a member of staff and help out with the responsibilities that having an animal entail such as feeding, watering, grooming and exercising. Loiterton is also geared up to run holiday camps, parties and weddings, and is brimming with ideas for future events and projects.

“We want to make everyone’s whole experience at the CEEC worth their time and money, but equally we want it to be huge fun,” says Loiterton. “Whatever you choose to do here you’ll have a great day out in the fresh air and countryside… what more could you want?”

What more, indeed?

The Clearwater Bay Equestrian and Education Centre, Lung Ha Wan Road, Clearwater Bay, New Territories. (No parking; nearest MTR: Hang Hau.) Open from 8am-6pm, seven days a week, all year round; booking is essential one week in advance to avoid disappointment. For lesson prices and further details, call Nicky Loiterton on 9181 4064 or visit www.ceec.hk