Glenworth Valley Horse Riding — Attraction in Glenworth Valley

Almost died horse riding here. (March 2024) (Originally posted in April 2024)

Update about 4 months after this incident: I intentionally remained anonymous but you have the records and from my knowledge I’m the only person in your history to be thrown into a tree at a gallop. I think I was too forgiving in my review but I only made a few edits. Also it was originally 2 stars but I changed it to 1.

I’m not going to go as far as to say I have PTSD but I have quit horse riding and have trouble going at fast speeds without feeling incredibly anxious in some cases bursting into tears. If you are even considering going here, don’t. I know there’s positive reviews but the fact nobody died that day, feels like luck. And who’s to know when this happens again that everyone will be so lucky.

From my searching I have found one maybe two other accounts of this incident and from other reviews and this isn’t isolated (although I couldn’t find any other incidents with this many falls involved). From memory I counted at very least 9 people around where I fell excluding myself.

You can make your own mind to go here but from what I’ve experienced. It’s only a matter of time before a lot of people get hurt in a similar accident and that’s up to you to risk that.

Before I begin, I understand that this was part of the risk of horse riding and accidents happen. It has been about a month since the accident (this was originally posted around April) and I have not seen anyone else mention this.

Ride was going fine, there was a birthday group of young kids behind us.

We got to the river and heard squealing from behind us. I later found out one of the leaders horses spooked and caused the rest of the horses to bolt. My horse ended up near the front and I managed to hold on until he slowed down then he sped up again since there was more horses coming from behind. I was looking for a place to jump off but I was sandwiched between two horses. He decided to aim between two trees and at a gallop he tripped I slipped to the left into a tree. At full speed. Then I was on the floor directly in the way of roughly 15 bolting horses. I have no clue how I didn’t die or break any bones.

They are so incredibly lucky nobody died that day. The reason I have waited this long to leave this review is because I think it’s better to look at it in hignsight so I’m not bias.

Within about 5 minutes they had people running up the track with water, ice packs and forms. They first made sure everyone was okay then they got us to fill out incident forms. I understand why they did that, and the people were really nice and chill about it. After they got the more injured people out, they got me and my smaller group into a car and got us back to the sign in desk to do more forms.

From my understanding two people were air lifted out for minor injuries but I don’t know how ‘minor’ they were. They started running the rides again an hour after. I’m okay. From what I’ve heard everyone else is okay. They got lucky nobody died. I got off with a few bruises.

As for if I would recommend this place? Probably not, the horses a clearly bored of doing the same trails over and over again. If your looking for a horse riding experience just do some lessons, I am aware they offer lessons here, I haven’t done them so I can’t say what they are like but maybe find a better riding facility...

!!NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE!! Where do I even start.. On Saturday (07/09/2024), My 2 friends and I jumped on our horses and were taken out by an experienced guide and a young volunteer. Everything was going relaxing and well until it wasn't. On our way back, my friend's horse (second last) suddenly bolted and took off running toward the bush with my friend hanging off it. He fell off the horse and got injured with scratches and cuts to his leg (it could well end up with a broken neck!). All other horses in the group also bolted and just ran as fast as you can imagine. I was the only rider who could miraculously control my horse (last horse). As we started walking to find others, we saw the little girl and his dad also on the ground with the girl (probably around 8 or 9) screaming and crying for help. Then we saw the volunteer girl walking towards us with 2 horses (no riders). They came with a car and picked us up, and on the way we saw another rider who was lying down on dirt with injuries to his back and ripped t-shirt (I assume he was dragged on for a bit before freeing himself from the saddle). We picked him up too and kept driving to the office, where my other friend was being treated for injuries to his arm (scratches and cuts). His horse had taken off and had ran (max speed) through the bush and the trail, until it got to the stable where it saw other horses and just stopped. That's when my friend was thrown off the horse on the first and got injured. They tended to the injured ones, and gave us ice creams (!!), did an incident report and told us that they'll call in a few days to check up. Don't forget, people die falling off a horse. This could happen to any of us in the group and not because we did anything wrong, because the horses bolted and no one knew what do do. Maybe one leader isn't enough?? Maybe a teen volunteer can't do much? Maybe we weren't given the right instructions? I don't know. All I know is that this happened and it could end up with someone dying because of it. Now, I know we all signed a waiver (which basically says whatever happens, happens), and I know horses can go rogue. BUT... They didn't provide any instructions apart from how to steer, and how to get the horse to move/stop. What about "How to safely jump off the horse if it goes crazy" or anything that can be useful in an emergency like this?? And all we were given was an ice cream and a bottle of water? How about at least offering a refund for the WORST EXPERIENCE of our lives? WE SPENT $150 EACH TO HAVE OUR CAMPING WEEKEND RUINED! Or how about offering us counselling if we need one?? Not a single word was mentioned. I'm not having a go at the leaders or the volunteers, there wasn't much they could do to prevent it from happening. I'm having a go at the lack of safety, lack of a proper induction/training, not enough support for those affected by this terrible accident. It's fun, it's amazing, but then expect something like this to happen. Even if it has only happened once in the history of Glenworth Valley horse riding, it has happened and it may happen again. The question is, what is Glenworth Valley Horse Riding team is going to do to have it managed better??? Hopefully not...

I haven’t been horseriding since I was about 15 and back then I was pretty scared of it but gave it a go. For some reason this year I decided I was keen to make a return. I took my mother in law as our Christmas gift to each other. Glenworth Valley is Australia's largest horse riding and outdoor adventure centre. It is in the hinterland region of the NSW Central Coast is approx 1.5 hours drive from Sydney (give or take a bit depending on the traffic). Take the turn off and the signage makes the site easy to find. Take a drive down a dusty road past a beautiful lookout and find the Glenworth Valley Outdoor Centre and park in one of the many parking bays. You’ll see an event centre where you check in if you’ve pre-booked (which we recommend you do as they do sell out) and make your way up to the cottage with your completed application form to receive your helmet and guides. We found the check in process quite seamless. The site also has bathrooms, free locker use, a kiosk with drinks, coffee, ice creams and some sandwiches. They also sell some necessities like sun cream and bug spray. They operate more than just horseriding, such as camping, abseiling, laser skirmish, kayak hire and quad biking, so if those interest you, check out their website. The site also runs events such as team building and weddings. The horseriding was all that we signed up for and I think enough to do just that in one day. They offer three sessions a day; 9am, 11am and 1pm. We were there for the 11am and it was super busy. We felt the staff did a great job sorting out groups with different experience levels. Although I’d ridden before, I requested beginners and was in a group of people who were of the same level. Although two people in our group had ridden a bit, the guide offered them opportunities to do a bit more than us. My horse was nice and slow and it placid, which is appreciated. We like is that all the horses seemed very well cared for, understood the requirements of them and behaved well. The guide told us they don’t do all three trips a day so they get the rest they need. Our guide Nat was excellent. She explained the trail and journey well, taught us know to trot a bit as we became more confident and gave facts about the horses along the way. She also pointed out wildlife and natural features on the journey. She was suitably supported by volunteer Mia, who was competent and delightful and managed her role well (and I presume of only approx 13-14 years old). Along the way we stopped every 30 minutes for saddle checks and water. The journey was relaxing and enjoyable and went for 2 hours through wilderness and valleys. At $99 for the activity, I feel that’s very reasonable. I would recommend this to anyone of any experience for a fun outdoors activity. For anyone who may feel apprehensive, rest asssured the staff make you feel at ease and the animals are superbly trained. Kudos to...