There’s one immutably true fact not just about Tamborine, but about any rural community like it that lives in harmony with nature: we love our horses. Just ask Barb Hatcliffe, who for 33 years has been sharing her love of equestrianism through her work at Sundown Lodge, teaching that love (and the life skills that come with it) to future generations. It’s a love Barb is happy to share with us, too, as she tells her story and gives us an insight into what Sundown Lodge has to offer.

by Kyle Hitchmough

For those who might not be familiar, can you explain what it is you offer here?

We offer riding lessons, from the very beginner to the novice level, just giving them the right building blocks to go on to do whatever they choose to do. I’ve had lots of girls come through here who are now competing in eventing, dressage and showjumping. Others just have fun doing riding lessons.

What was your inspiration to open Sundown Lodge Equestrian?

I’ve always worked with horses. I’ve done other jobs, but I decided to get into something that I loved, and I love coming down here every day and working with my horses. It’s a win-win situation.

Do students have to bring their own horses?

If they have their own, they can bring them and have a lesson here but I do have horses they can learn on as well.

What kinds of facilities do you have here?

We have the sand arena, we have a big grass arena down the back and we have the wash bays. What we like to do is teach the kids everything. That’s what these camp days are about, they’ll be bridling their own horses and saddling them, washing them, making up feed so they learn the feeding side… It’s not just the fun bit of riding a horse, it’s really important to know everything if you want to own a horse. It’s mostly my own little world here, we’re very self-sufficient, but I do work with some locals. I get horse food from them, I have a farrier that comes in, a dentist, the vets… You have to have their feet done every 5-6 weeks, and their teeth and vaccinations done once a year, so I have those coming in, all local.

Can you tell us more about the camp you run?

We do the camp on school holidays from 8:30 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon, every day for 5 days, as many as they can attend. We provide them lunch and do the lessons in the morning where we give them instruction and improve their riding. In the afternoon we throw them on bareback and we play games with them. They think they’re just having fun but they’re learning balance and coordination. We also get the kids to wash the horses and brush them, and do everything you need to do to keep a horse healthy and fit.

What goes into the average day here for you?

I usually do mostly adult riders during the daytime on a weekday, so I start about 8 o’clock in the morning and go to about 11, and then I do the after-school kids from about 3:30 onwards. I do that 4 days a week, and then on a Saturday I start at 7 in the morning and work right through to the afternoon.

Are there any classes for adult riders as well as children?

Oh, yes, lots of adult riders. Lots of ladies who used to ride and are getting back into it now. I have a 72-year-old lady that rides with me, I have some other ladies that are in their 50s, it’s people that just want to get back into the swing of things. It’s quite a range. I started teaching one girl when she was 5, she’s 28 now with her own child. Another was 9 when she started, now she’s 30. Once they start here, they seem to stay! We have a few boys too, but the girls always outnumber them.

As a local, what’s your opinion on the Tamborine area and community?

I love it! I love living here. I wake up every morning with a happy smile on my face. It’s nice and quiet.

What’s your favourite thing to do in the area?

I just found Café 63 in Beaudesert. My husband and I go there and we’ll have a lovely meal and a chat, it’s really nice. I go to Beauy mostly to do my shopping, there’s a lovely fruit shop there. I try to use local as much as I can.

What do you think Sundown Lodge Equestrian really provides to the area?

A place for the kids to come and learn. Horse riding is great because it teaches kids a little bit of discipline and boundaries and a little bit more grounding.Plus, the kids get off the technology and out into the sunshine. Just being around a horse makes you happy and gives you pleasure. That’s probably why I’m such a happy person!

What do you enjoy most about doing this?

Just being with the horses, really! And I love the kids. I love watching them get better. One of them suffers from anxiety, and when she first came it was really hard for her to trust the horse and be one with it but she’s getting better and better.

What’s been your most memorable moment here?

I think they’re all great. I have 5 days of camp every school holidays and I have fun every day. Watching the kids have fun and the smiles on their faces, it’s great.

Is there anything else you’d like to go on the record?

I try to keep my prices sensible, at a rate where anybody can send their child here.

Sundown Lodge Equestrian
99 SUNDOWN CT, TAMBORINE, QLD 4270

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