Welcome to “Yara Balba Stables”
‘Yara Balba’ in First Nation Darkinyung language, means Gum Tree Hill.
‘Stables’ represents a home for horses, a stable of artists, a place or studio of ideas, or a place to rest & stay.
Not surprisingly, ‘Yara Balba Stables’ offers horse riding instruction, Equestrian Training opportunities & events, art classes, the facilitation of art projects & farm accommodation options.
Our 56 acre (22Ha) farm at Mandalong, is an easy 90 minute easy drive from Sydney CBD and 5 minutes from the township of Morisset on the Western side of lovely Lake Macquarie.
Our Stable has a small family of riding horses, a 60m x 20m covered and all- weather riding arena, a 70m x 50m large all weather arena suitable for Show-jumping, dressage comps / protocol days, working equitation obstacle course, mounted games and more.
We have several sheltered horse yards within the learning area, an adjoining tack-shed and 4 open horse yards in our fenced holding paddock for visiting horses.
We have a 500m grass track for fitness training and open riding – and a cross country training course (30cm- 80cm) under development in the sloping treed hills ‘up the back’ over 16 acres.
We also have a separate purpose built art studio, fully equipped workshop, old traditional farmhouse, newly constructed 3 bedroom fully accessible farmstay, small stables studio cabin and more.
We run regular art classes weekly and accept bookings for our on- farm accommodation via Air B&B or VRBO online booking platforms.
We run special programs including Art Exhibitions and Workshops, Open Studios, Equestrian Training Days and Events – you can even book our venue to hold your own events here!
Everyone loves coming to visit Yara Balba Stables, so why not check out what we do here and browse through the range of headings on this website!
We hope to meet YOU here soon!
Email yarabalbastables@gmail.com for more info…
Rider Testimonial- Donna Hodgson Preistley
Donna came to us at Yara Balba Stables in mid 2018 with her personal goal of wanting to canter once again. She ticked that off her bucket list, riding the beautiful Sam. We are still so proud of her achievement. Read her wonderful post below that still blows me away! Thanks Donna xxx
Testimonial- Donna Hodgson Preistley
“I returned to riding after 45 years
at 61 years of age. I found Yara Balba Stables Farm by complete accident as I wanted something close to home. Well what a life changing experience I have had over the last 4 months all because of this amazingly accomplished teacher Margete Erling – not only is she an extremely experienced rider she has created a safe and empowering environment where students of all age and ability can learn and accomplish their aspirations. My sense of achievement over these last 4 months is absolutely down to Margrete’s knowledge, nurturing, encouragement and her approach to imparting her understanding of the importance of the synergies between horse and rider. I can’t recommend Margrete Erling and Yara Balba Stables enough.”
Other Quotes:
Our Facilities are Open for Bookings!
Looking to Hold an Equestrian Training Day or Event? Well, look no further- we are here!At Yara Balba Stables we have it all.... A covered 60m x 20m Dressage Arena, all weather 70m x 50m+ Showjumping Arena, Exercise Track of 400m, Cross Country Course over...
3 Clinics, 3 Coaches, 3 Saturdays – Setting you and your horse up for Dressage success!
3 Clinics, 3 Coaches, on 3 Consecutive Saturdays - Setting you and your horse up for Dressage success in 2022! Join our inaugural 3-3-3 Dressage Rider Clinics Starting Saturday, 8 January, with coaches Annæ Buchmann, Margrete Erling and Kirrilly Thompson! Clinic held...
Riding Instruction
We run regular riding lessons at our Accredited Equestrian Centre 1.5hours drive North from Sydney, in Mandalong, 5 minutes off the M1 Motorway at the Morisset Interchange.
- After School riding lessons run weekly
- specialist clinics and riding activities held on some weekends.
- catering to all levels, beginners, returning riders and intermediate
- All weather covered arena to cater or riding groups
- Grassed Show-jump arena, 500m fitness track, XC Course on the way…
Art Classes
We hold studio art classes for:
- Adults, Young People and Groups
- Classes run every Thursday and cater to a variety of skills and abilities
- No skills required- bring your own projects along
- We cover foundation drawing skills, basic colour theory, painting with acrylics, oils, screen printing, mosaics, block printing, ceramics, working with ink and other materials/ or on self directed projects and activities.
Recent Events on our Blog
Community Art Projects
We have worked on many community art projects, facilitating numerous creative initiatives, for a range of people and organisations across the Central Coast, Hunter and Newcastle Region in New South Wales. Many of our projects can be seen on location or via our on- line gallery, which include painted murals, sculptures, ceramics, mosaics, place making artworks, photographs, short DVDs and more. For more information about a project or concept you’re considering, call us anytime- we’re always happy to chat about new ideas!
