ride Clevedon
Clevedon has a long history as an equestrian centre as the numbers of horse trucks and floats on the roads attest.
Bridle Trails/Park Trails
As Clevedon grows, developers are constructing a bridle trail on the low-lying land at the outer edge of the village. Horses are permitted at the Waitawa and Whakakiawhara/Duder Regional Parks. There is also an established Bridle Trail in Whitford, just 15 minutes drive from Clevedon.
For Regional Park trail maps visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Pony Clubs
The Clevedon Pony Club is based at the A&P Showgrounds on Monument Road, and the Papatoetoe Pony Club just over the hill at Brookby. Both have established arenas and cross-country courses. The Papatoetoe Club also serves as a show-jumping centre and runs Equestrian Sports NZ (ESNZ) competitions throughout the year.
Horse Trials
An ESNZ two day horse trial is held at the Clevedon A&P Showgrounds each January. The Papatoetoe Pony Club in Brookby runs a horse trial in November and in February the Springbush Horse Trials are held in Hūnua.
Polo
Clevedon is home to two active local Polo Clubs – the Auckland Polo Club, which has grounds at 102 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road and 24 West Road, and Hololio Polo Club, which is sited on the edge of the village on the Wairoa floodplain. The locals all turn out for the Clevedon Fire Brigade Charity Day at the end of January (Anniversary Weekend). The NZ Polo Open is played in mid February every year and brings a whole week of action and glamour to the village.
The Auckland Polo Academy offers lessons for those who might want to try their hand at this exciting sport.
Racing
Clevedon and the Wairoa Valley are home to several well established racing stables and breeding farms, including Barry Purdon’s trotting stables, and several thoroughbred trainers.
Learn to ride/horse experiences
Sonshine ranch offers holiday camps and riding lessons
The Clevedon Animal Farm offers pony rides and farm tours for families and children
Livery and grazing
Clevedon Equestrian offers grazing and full livery on extensive farmland at McNicol Road, only five minutes from the Village.
The Papatoetoe Pony Club also offers grazing.