About us ~
our World of
NAtural Horsemanship
We believe horses are teachers, not tools.
Every ride, every moment spent in their company, is an
opportunity to learn the language of trust, patience, and connection.
Our approach is simple: no force, no fear. Instead, we work with the principles of Natural Horsemanship—understanding how horses think, communicate, and move through the world. It’s about listening as much as leading, and building relationships that honour the horse’s nature.
ABOUT US
our World of
NAtural Horsemanship
We believe horses are teachers, not tools.
Every ride, every moment spent in their company, is an
opportunity to learn the language of trust, patience, and connection.
We are genuine, certified
Natural Horsemanship professionals.
With a wealth of experience and passion.
We are owned and operated by a Licensed Parelli Professional and ambassador for animal welfare. Parelli Natural Horsemanship is a movement which focuses on education to fulfil the mission of making the world a better place for horses and the humans that love them.
Every guide at Lighthorse has walked their own journey with horses—one that goes far beyond basic riding skills. Every guide has completed extensive horsemanship training and is regularly graded on competence to ensure continued skill development. They’ve earned their place here through dedication, skill, and a genuine love for what they do. Our ongoing training ensures as we expand, so does team, as horsemen and as guides.
Owner | Parelli Professional
Lynetta Schionning
Owner of Lighthorse Adventures and professional horsemanship coach. With 12 years teaching experience in the horse industry and over 25 years as a student of the horse, learning from world class, industry leading masters of horsemanship in both Australia and the USA. The more I have learned of horses the more I am called to the need to share the knowledge of horsemanship with others.
Two years ago I was recruited by the manager of Dart River Stables to come into the business as Equine Specialist. The opportunity to be a part of improving industry standards around safety and animal welfare were enough to have me move my life to Glenorchy and begin working to improve the system. I was then given the option to purchase the Dart River Stables business and as owner operator, continue this mission. This is how Lighthorse Adventures was born.
Business Manager
Felica Schionning
An adventurous horse rider from a young age, I gave up my horse passion to make way for more responsible things, like running our family farming business. This was my life’s work, up until two years ago, when after the passing of our father I needed to move on from the Farm in North Queensland Australia.
I ventured to Queenstown to be with my sister, Lynetta and now have settled here to co-run Lighthorse Adventures.
This business has not only allowed me to re-discover my love of horses, but has also challenged me with the incredible task of creating a unique way to share the love of horsemanship with the world.
Booking officer | Receptionist
FreyJa Carmichael
“Truly a phenomenal experience. Thank you Freyja for assisting us on this amazing ride. We cannot wait to return and ride again!” ~ J. Battig
Receptionist & CRITTER CO-ORDINATOR
Emily Pointon
A recent addition to our team, Emily brings a spirit of calm charisma to the reception team. After returning to Aotearoa after living in Edinburgh and exploring the busier places of the world, Emily finds herself thriving in the quiet wilderness of Glenorchy and has quickly become a keen student of horsemanship. Along with her customer service skills and receptionist talents Emily is an impressive knitter, keen baker, and maker of creative things.
HORSEMANSHIP COACH
Tereza Šafránková
As a professional horsemanship coach it is my unique ability to be able to offer visitors from all walks of life the opportunity to experience what normally only a few passionate horsemen and women get to learn about; the art of Horsemanship and share with you rare insights into the way horses naturally communicate with each other.
No matter who you are, where you’re from or if you have ridden before or not, we are able to bridge the gap between the elite horsemanship world and you, and offer everyone who visits us the chance to experience horses on a deeper level, while enjoying all the usual fun and excitement of adventure horse riding.
I’m honoured to be able to share with you all that I love about horses.
Senior guide | yard assistant
Helena Wundsam
Second time at Lighthorse and it gets better every visit. Took my partner with me for the second trip and we have agreed to try and make this a frequent occasion whenever we can moving forward. Our instructor Helena was so amazing and we had so much fun riding with her and the horses.” ~ Danielle. K
SEnior Guide
Leslie Leduc
I’ve been around horses since I was a kid — I spent about ten years doing traditional riding before realising it wasn’t quite what I was looking for. Discovering Parelli Natural Horsemanship really changed everything for me. It’s all about understanding, communication, and building a real connection with horses — exactly what I’d been missing.
Before joining Lighthorse Adventures, I spent a few years studying biology, focusing on animal behavior and communication. Animals have always fascinated me, and now I get to combine that curiosity with my love for horses every day. Out on the trail, I love sharing stories and little facts about the wildlife — especially the birds along the Dart River (I’m a bit of a bird nerd!).
For me, this job is the perfect mix of everything I love: horses, nature, and helping people connect with both in a genuine way. ” Indigo and Leslie were amazing guides particularly for our 5 year old daughter.” ~ Scott. B
Senior Guide
Luca Zaddach
I am a nature-loving and creative person who combines a deep connection to nature with a lifelong passion for horses. I have worked with horses since my early years, and over time, I have developed a unique relationship with them.
I started my journey as a professional horse trainer and later discovered the philosophies of Parelli Natural Horsemanship which opened my eyes to a new way of working with horses.
For me, it’s not just about training them, but about creating harmony, understanding, and a respectful, trusting partnership between horse and human.
EXCELLENTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing time. The coaching was very thorough, the horses were great and the ladies who took us out were amazing. It was a cold and wet day jackets, boots and gloves were provided. Highly recommend ✨⭐️🌟Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Beautiful scenery, friendly staff, and adorable horses.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 良い経験が出来ました！Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Most magical day of my life! Honestly, I can’t even find the right words to describe how incredible this experience was. I booked a custom tour for my girlfriend and me and it’s where I proposed to her. I truly could not have imagined a more perfect way to do it. From start to finish, everything felt absolutely perfect. Reaching out to the team at Lighthorse was so easy, they replied quickly, were incredibly helpful, and went above and beyond with ideas and support to help me plan the proposal. As soon as we arrived, they continued to impress us. The whole team was so warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. Check-in was smooth and easy, and then our adventure began. Helena, our guide, was simply amazing, without a doubt the best guide I’ve ever had. She welcomed us so kindly, picked us up from the waiting area, and introduced us to our horses in such a calm and thoughtful way. She took the time to show us how to connect with them, and from the very beginning, we felt completely safe and comfortable. The ride itself was breathtaking, the landscapes around Glenorchy are something else, but what made it truly special was the way everything was handled with so much care, passion, and attention to detail. And then, of course, the proposal… it was perfect. Something we will remember for the rest of our lives. She said yes and I honestly don’t think there could have been a more magical place or a better team to be part of such an important moment. Thank you to everyone at Lighthorse for creating what was truly the best day of our lives. We will never forget it.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic experience! Of course the location was incredible but what made it so special was that the staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. This tour actually takes the time to teach you about the nature of horses (natural horsemanship), how to connect with them, and enjoy riding together. I learned so much more than I anticipated and so enjoyed the adventure of the river crossings!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Would highly recommend Lighthorse Adventures! It was our first time riding and we chose the easy ride. We had a great time and really appreciated being given the chance to spend time bonding with our horses. Phoenix is such a sweet boy 🐴✨ The whole experience was made even better by our guides who were knowledgeable, experienced, and engaging. Thank you team!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nice tour, beautiful view~Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience with Lighthorse🥹 Highly recommend to everyone!! The horses are well trained🫶The team are suuuuuuuuuper friendly💕💕Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A horses paradise & riders dream! We spent three days around Lighthorse Adventures with the idea to get my husband on a horse and into riding. His summary: “I can’t imagine something more beautiful!” And with that everything important is said! Lighthorse Adventures is a wonderful place surrounded by stunning nature. But best of all are all those lovely and “light” horses and the very friendly and well educated staff. Thank you so much for a wonderful time down by the river!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Our Furry co-stars
We couldn’t do what we do without our hoofed teachers. Horses don’t lie. They can’t pretend. When you’re with them, you quickly discover what’s real and what’s performance. They’ll teach you to read energy, set boundaries with kindness, and communicate from a place of truth rather than trying to control.
Houdini
Reliable and a just a little bit naughty.
Bell
Serious about adventures…. and snacks.
Larry
A sensitive soul, Larry loves gentle connection.
BLAZE
Gentle in nature, sharp in mind, and always close by to his friend Dot
Phoenix
Fun, cheeky and incredibly bright, Phoenix loves games and puzzles, especially when there’s a cookie at the end.
Shadowfax
A more extroverted horse who loves to make friends by using you as a scratching post. You’ll win his friendship through a head scratch!
Nequita
An majestic soul, always looking for adventure.
Patch & Styles
Stylish by name, stylish by nature. Bringing together the best qualities of the Frisian and the Gypsy Vanner.
Tigger
Kind, gentle, independent and sensitive, he must be hiding his unicorn horn somewhere.
RIDE THE GLACIAL RIVERS
WHERE MIDDLE-EARTH COMES ALIVE.
We offer tailor made custom day rides and package experiences.
Perfect for private groups, couples, surprise proposals, advanced horsemanship
or any adventure you can dream up through the stunning surrounds of the Dart Valley.