No horseplay, ride high this zodiac year with photo shoots at Bukit Timah Saddle Club

In celebration of the Year of the Horse, Bukit Timah Saddle Club is offering exclusive photo shoots at its Kranji grounds and inviting members of the public to mark the festive season alongside its resident horses.

With lush greenery and rustic stables, the club has become an alternative Chinese New Year venue for families seeking something beyond the traditional studio portrait.

Sessions start at $280 for the first hour, which includes the hiring of a horse and dedicated groom support to prepare and manage the horse throughout the photo shoot. Each subsequent hour costs $100. No photographer is provided and clients may engage their own.

The initiative was conceived as a way to honour the zodiac animal of the year while opening up the equestrian space to a wider audience, said Ms Pavethra Maya, 25, events executive at Bukit Timah Saddle Club.

“We want people to know that equestrian spaces like ours still exist,” she said, noting a common misconception that there are no more horses in Singapore, following the last race at the Singapore Turf Club in October 2024.

Animal welfare is a priority. Each session includes a groom, who prepares the horse, while Ms Pavethra remains present throughout the shoot to supervise interactions closely, manage the horse’s movements and ensure safety.

Sessions are spaced apart to prevent fatigue, and only the calmest horses are selected.

For Ms Zann Chin, 33, a senior chartering executive at PetroChina International, the chance to mark the zodiac year in a tangible way drew her family to sign up. She got amateur photographer Teo Pok Zin to do the shoot for the family and paid him $188, which was donated to charity.

Her five-year-old daughter, Zaelyn Ting, who wants to learn to ride, was especially excited about the experience.

While Ms Chin said she was nervous around the horse, her daughter appeared unfazed, eagerly reaching for the reins and patting the animal whenever possible.

“I want this to be a keepsake she can look back on, to remind her to stay brave as she grows up,” Ms Chin said.

Tied to the zodiac year, the photo shoots combine cultural celebration with a rare encounter with horses, which Ms Pavethra hopes will spark curiosity and appreciation beyond the riding arena.

“I feel that many people are not aware that such experiences exist in Singapore,” she said. “If word of mouth from participating families sparks curiosity about horses, that’s something we would be happy about.”

The photo shoots are available all year round. Bookings and tailored requests can be made by contacting the club at

events@btsc.org.sg

, with slots subject to availability. Beyond these experience sessions, the stable offers riding lessons to members of the public.