Review of Mairehau Horse Riding School Christchurch

I have been riding at this particular riding school for the past 4-5 years since I was 12. The girls (stable hands) are inexperienced, have terrible dress attire, mainly like they're going to the beach, aren't very well mannered and can be very rude when they choose to be. The horses are very underfed, tied up most of the day and the owners don't give a single f*** about this! The horses aren't broken in properly, resulting in poor riding school horses, constantly refuse what they are asked to do and can be very arrogant/defiant. During the weekends, the riding school is very busy and the arena is constantly crammed. Most of the riding school is in the arena during the mornings in the weekends between 10-12 AM. It is also very dangerous because there are lots of riders there that simply cannot control their horse at all, letting their horses 'drift' all over the arena, and the beginners always cut off the other riders. On top of this, the instructors smack the horses with 'stick whips', causing the horses to lurch forward with fright and the riders almost falling off as a result of this. My final answer is do not go to this riding school!! Mairehau have the worst reputation for a riding school in Christchurch and are a total embarrassment to other riding schools etc! This place has apparently had numerous SPCA calls, but they haven't taken action because there apparently isn't enough evidence. I barely go to this riding school anymore as I cannot stand going there for a crappy lesson and I have been doing an Equine course at National Trade Academy through Arion Riding Centre. I have done excellent riding lessons during course time with a great qualified instructor, and I have learnt more at Arion in 6-8 lessons than in 4-5 years at Mairehau! Over the past year we have been recorrecting my position and fixing my very bad Mairehau habits that riding school taught me. Since then I haven't looked back and I prefer to ride at Arion much more than Mairehau. Hope this helps anyone who is looking for a good riding centre to go to and make the right decisions!