Q. What should I wear?

There are two items which are compulsory for horse riding at Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre, these are riding boots and a helmet. BEC has helmets we can lend you for your first few horse riding lessons – we have all sizes. We also have some boots which we can lend you however we don’t have all sizes, you should either buy your own pair before your first lesson or visit BEC to make sure that we have pair to fit you.

In addition you might also wear:

• Jodhpurs or jeans
• Riding gloves
• A close fitting top (t-shirt or jumper)
• Minimal jewelry

Q. Who are your Instructors/Staff?

A brief resume of our staff:

Christine Mogensen – Owner/Manager & Instructor

Christine is responsible for the overall management of Blinkbonnie as well as the delivery of horse riding lessons. She started lessons in 1972 and has owned horses since 1977. She has had experience in various types of riding, handling and management. Formal horse related qualifications include AHSE Instructor qualification, a course in Horse Husbandry & Management from Melbourne University as well as Pony Club Certificates. She is also currently studying for NCAS Certificate IV – Sport Coaching Equestrian

Linda Williams – Instructor

Linda is responsible for delivering horse riding lessons. She has been riding since 1987, competing in the eventing field up to state championship level. She has been managing stables on a professional basis since 1997. Her philosophy is to ensure both horse and handler operate in an environment of mutual understanding and respect. Linda worked for Blinkbonnie full time since September 1999 and in 2007 left full time work to become a mother, she is back instructing part time now. Linda is a AHSE qualified instructor.

Lori Crandel-Miller – Instructor

Lori is responsible for delivering horse riding lessons. She has been riding since 1976 and has owned her own horse for 16 years, competing on the “A Circuit” in Canada. She has worked as a professional instructor in Canada for 10 years before coming to Australia in 2005, both teaching at riding schools and coaching competition riders.  Lori is a  Canadian Equestrian Federation Certified Level 1 Coach. She  is an enthusiastic instructor who is good at devising fun, instructional exercises for her students. Lori has worked for Blinkbonnie part time since March 2005.

Natalie Peacock – Instructor

Natalie is responsible for delivering horse riding lessons and is going to be the Blinkbonnie Stable Manager during 2008. She has been teaching at  Blinkbonnie since January 2005, prior to that she was an assistant stable manager. Natalie has been riding since 1994 and owns her own horse which she events, she also teaches at Pony Club where she has achieved her instructor's certificate (Level 1). Natalie has worked for Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre since September 2001.

Sam Cesnik– Instructor

Sam is responsible for delivering horse riding lessons. Sam has owned her own horses for many years and had some lessons at Blinkbonnie when we first opened. She mainly does eventing and has just bought a new competition horse. Sam has been teaching at  Blinkbonnie since September 2008. Sam is studing for her EFA instructor qualification.

Stephanie Milburn – Junior Instructor

Steph is currently training for her instructor qualification and having shown a natural aptitude for teaching she is proving popular with new and old students alike. Steph has worked for Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre since February 2006, initially as an assistant stable manager on weekends, doing a full time year as Stable Manager during 2009. She was a student at the school prior to this.

Alex O'sullilvan - Instructor and Stable Manager

Alex is a AHSE qualified instructor and also the Stable Manager for Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre. Alex has mainly been working in the racehorse industry prior to this, doing track work, riding as a jumps jockey and also doing pre-training for young racehorses. Alex has worked instructing at Blinkbonnie since 2006, starting the Stable Manager role in 2010.

Jacqui Bladier – Assistant Stable Manager

Jacqui assists with stable management on Saturday’s (our busy period). She owns her own horse which she completes. Jacqui has worked for Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre since May 2007.

Celeste Fischer - Assistant Stable Manager

Celeste assists with stable management on the weekends (our busy period). She owns her own horse. Celeste has worked for Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre since 2009.

Ashleigh Whatford – Assistant Stable Manager

Ashleigh assists with stable management on the weekends (our busy period). Ashleigh has worked for Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre since September 2007 and was a student at the school prior to this.

Kim Arnup – Assistant Stable Manager

Kim assists with stable management on weekends (our busy period). Kim has worked for Blinkbonnie Equestrian Centre since August 2008 and was a student at the school prior to this.

Q. How many horses do you have?

We currently have 32 horses on the property, some of them are in retirement or not used for the riding school. The riding school horses are: