Young people and families gallop over to Vietgangz Horse Club, located at 58 Tam Da, Long Truong Ward, Thu Duc City, each weekend to take horseback riding lessons and learn the ins-and-outs of horsemanship.
Visitors to Vietgangz Horse Club must make reservations in advance for their 45-minute session.
Each session costs VND490,000 (US$21).
The club is at is busiest from 6:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
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| Riders depend on assistance from coaches at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
According to manager Pham Hong Thuy Trinh, Vietgangz Horse Club offers lessons to people of all ages.
“Visitors take time to get acquainted with the horse first, which is important because horses can feel human love,” Trinh said.
“They are then taught how to lead the horse, how to mount and hold the reins, and how to control the animal.”
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| Thu Linh, a visitor from Dong Nai Province, meets a horse before riding at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
The club also offers training courses to those who want to master the sport, at VND6.9 million ($298) for a basic course, VND9.9 million ($427) for an advanced one, and VND12.9 million ($556) for professionals.
“This is an adventurous sport and riders need a strong spirit, love for animals, and passion for mounts,” Trinh said.
“They also must follow the safety rules, being equipped with shoes, hats, and body armor.
“They must also follow the trainer’s instructions at all times.”
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| A staff member helps a rider put on safety equipment before mounting a horse at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
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| Riders depend on assistance from coaches at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
Tran Duy An Khuong, a resident from District 7, is currently enrolled in Vietgangz’s professional horse-riding.
“I love horseback riding,” he said.
“After trying the sport a few times, I decided to learn how to do it at a professional level.
“I love animals and sports so I really enjoy horseback riding.
“It helps me release my stress.”
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| Rider Tran Duy An Khuong learns to ride a horse at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
Thu Linh, another visitor to Vietgangz Horse Club, traveled from a nearby province to Ho Chi Minh City to try her hand at horseback riding.
“Previously I had only ever seen and touched horses. Now I have a chance to truly ride a horse,” she said.
“It was a bit confusing when I first mounted the horse, but I got acquainted with the animal and now I love it.”
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| A staffer at Vietgangz Horse Club puts reins on a horse before allowing a visitor to mount it. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
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| Horse riding at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
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| Riders depend on assistance from coaches at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
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| Children play with a horse at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
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| A child learns to ride a horse alongside a parent and a coach at Vietgangz Horse Club in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
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| Tran Thanh Tam, a staff member who cares for the horses at Vietgangz Horse Club, says the mounts mainly eat rice and grass. Their feeding times are 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News |
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