Solitaire Equestrian Academy is owned by Macayla Blignaut.
Macayla has had a passion for horses since she was a little girl, and she competed in dressage and show jumping competitions from an early age.
In 2008, when she was 13, Macayla and her family moved from Durban to the Western Cape. When she was 16, she started endurance racing while working part-time for riding schools in Hermanus and Stellenbosch.
After Matriculating, Macayla studied at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, qualifying in Equine Studies in 2016. On completing her studies, Macayla worked at Hemel-en-Aarde Trails for a year.
Her first riding school was on her farm in Tesselaarsdal. In 2020, Macayla realised her dream when she got her lease at Glenfruin Meadows Estate in Onrus.
When Macayla isn’t working, she enjoys hiking in the mountains with her four dogs (a Yorkie, two great Danes and a bull terrier)!
Solitaire Equestrian Academy offers guided horse-riding experiences for riders of all ages and levels of experience.
Route: takes you from Solitaire Equestrian Academy through Glenfruin Beach, then under the bridge to Sandbaai Beach.
The beach ride is a fun outing for riders of all experience levels.
Route: takes you up the beautiful mountain overlooking Hermanus and further as far as the eye can see. The climb is steep and not for the faint-hearted.
The Mountain Ride is an exciting ride that takes some skill, making it perfect for experienced riders.
Route: takes you up the mountain overlooking Hermanus and then down to the beach.
The Full Package Ride is a thrilling adventure that takes a level of skill, making it perfect for experienced riders!
Option 1- Private Lesson
Option 2 - Group Lesson
Option 3 - Mini Lesson
Lesson Includes:
Solitaire Equestrian Academy is the perfect venue for children’s pony parties.
Booking in advance is essential.
Solitaire Equestrian Academy runs children’s pony camps at Glenfruin Meadows Estate during school holidays.
Contact Macayla at Solitaire Equestrian Academy for more information about camp dates and rates.
Solitaire Equestrian Academy provides indoor and outdoor livery services.
Solitaire Equestrian Academy offers professional horse trucking services throughout the Western Cape.
Contact Macayla at Solitaire Equestrian Academy for more information about horse trucking services and prices. References from satisfied clients are available on request.
Solitaire Equestrian Academy stocks a range of quality horse feed.
Contact Macayla at Solitaire Equestrian Academy for more information about horse feed, availability and prices.
Solitaire Equestrian Academy offers pet-sitting in a large fenced yard for well-behaved and socialised dogs.
Pet-sitting services can include:
Contact Macayla at Solitaire Equestrian Academy for more information about pet-sitting criteria, availability and pricing.
“Solitaire Equestrian Academy is the best riding school I've ever experienced! Great facilities for jumping and dressage. The horses are loved and treated like family.” Ruby Rattle
“I had such an awesome ride this morning. Solitaire Equestrian Academy has beautiful, well-looked-after, and trained horses. The knowledgeable instructor made you feel at ease throughout the ride. They are very professional.” Nicky van den Handel
“My daughter's favourite time of the week is the time she spends at Solitaire Equestrian Academy. Riders get a lot of personal attention. The horses are well-trained and looked after. They love the attention they receive from the children and the other riders.” Karen Bruwer
Whether you’re an experienced rider or a beginner, our scenic rides are perfect for all ages!
