Guided Horse Rides - Lessons - Livery - Trucking

Solitaire Equestrian Academy is a stable yard and riding school at Glenfruin Meadows Estate in Onrus, Hermanus. Offering guided outrides, Solitaire Equestrian Academy specialises in scenic beach and mountain horseback riding adventures. If you are new to riding, Macayla Blignaut, a qualified riding instructor, welcomes horse enthusiasts of all ages to sign up for riding lessons at the academy’s riding school. Macayla personally instructs students at a gentle pace to become confident in the saddle. Growing a love for horses and riding, Solitaire Equestrian Academy offers its venue for kiddies' pony parties and hosts pony camps during the school holidays. Meeting the needs of horse owners, Solitaire Equestrian Academy provides livery and trucking services and is a stockist of quality horse feed. An add-on service offered by Solitaire Equestrian Academy includes pet-sitting for well-socialised dogs by arrangement.

Contact Details

  • Primary number Click Here
  • Email Click Here

Info

  • Address Click Here
  • Payment Methods Click Here
  • Cards Accepted Click Here
  • Currencies Accepted Click Here

Business Information

About
Image

About

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)!

Rides

Rides

Solitaire Equestrian Academy offers guided horse-riding experiences for riders of all ages and levels of experience.

Beach Ride
  • Cost: R500 per rider
  • Duration: ± 75 - 90 minutes
  • Level of experience: low
  • Minimum - one rider
  • Maximum - five riders
  • Horses available / Weight limit - 1x 110kg, 2 x 90 kg, 2x 80kg

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.

Mountain Ride
  • Cost: R500 per rider
  • Duration: ± 60 minutes
  • Level of experience: medium
  • Minimum - one rider
  • Maximum - six riders
  • Horses available / weight limit - 1x 110kg, 2 x 90 kg, 3x 80kg

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.

Full Package Ride
  • Cost: R850 per rider
  • Duration: ± 120 - 150 minutes
  • Level of Experience: not for beginners
  • Minimum - one rider
  • Maximum - eight riders
  • Horses available / Weight limit - 1x 110kg, 2 x 90 kg, 5x 80kg

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!

Introduction to Riding
Image

Introduction to Riding

Option 1- Private Lesson

  • Cost: R380 per rider
  • Duration: ± 60 minutes
  • Level of experience: beginner

Option 2 - Group Lesson

  • Cost: R300 per rider
  • Duration: ± 60 minutes
  • Level of experience: beginner

Option 3 - Mini Lesson

  • Cost: R250 per rider
  • Duration: ± 30 minutes
  • Level of experience: beginner

Lesson Includes:

  • Meeting the horses
  • Experiencing tacking up
  • Learning the basics of Riding (in the arena) 
  • Enjoying an out-ride (through the estate)
     
Other Services for Beginners
  • Mini-lesson with pony ride - R250
  • Pony ride - R200
Pony Parties

Pony Parties

  • Cost: R1,800 / R2,000
  • Duration: two hours (extra hour add R600)
  • Venue: Glenfruin Meadows Estate Stables 
  • Rides: one hour (unlimited rides)
  • Other activities: 45 minutes 

Solitaire Equestrian Academy is the perfect venue for children’s pony parties.

Rides & Activities
  • Riding
  • Games
  • Sack races
  • Obstacle courses
  • Hiking (through the estate)
Venue Amenities
  • Horses
  • Table
  • Seating
What to Bring
  • Birthday cake
  • Party food
  • Cooldrink
  • Decorations
  • Plates
  • Cups
  • Cutlery
What to Wear
  • Closed shoes
  • Long pants
  • Something warm (whatever the weather, just in case there is a cool breeze)

Booking in advance is essential.

Pony Camps 

Pony Camps 

Solitaire Equestrian Academy runs children’s pony camps at Glenfruin Meadows Estate during school holidays.

  • Ages: Four - 12 years
  • Cost: R450 per child
  • When: school holidays
  • Time: 9:00 - 13:00
Activities
  • Arts & crafts
  • Mounted games
  • Outride
  • Mini hike
  • Grooming 
  • Arena games
What to Bring
  • Packed lunch
  • Something to drink
  • Closed shoes
  • Long pants
  • Something warm
  • Extra set of clothing
  • Hat
  • Sunblock

Contact Macayla at Solitaire Equestrian Academy for more information about camp dates and rates. 

Horse Livery

Horse Livery

Solitaire Equestrian Academy provides indoor and outdoor livery services. 

Indoor Livery
  • Cost: R4,700 per horse per month
  • Includes: all feed
Outdoor Livery
  • Cost: R4,500 per horse per month
  • Includes: all feed
Outdoor Livery - Valley Branch (30km from Hermanus) 
  • Cost: R3,500 per horse per month
  • Includes: all feed
Horse Trucking

Horse Trucking

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.

Horse Feed
Image

Horse Feed

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.

Pet Sitting
Image

Pet Sitting

Solitaire Equestrian Academy offers pet-sitting in a large fenced yard for well-behaved and socialised dogs.

Pet-sitting services can include:

  • Farm walks 
  • Home environment experience

Contact Macayla at Solitaire Equestrian Academy for more information about pet-sitting criteria, availability and pricing.

Reviews

Reviews

“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