Matthews Hanoverians Sponsors of the Matthews Hanoverians Seven-Year-Old Series

Jumping series sponsor Matthews Hanoverians live by their ‘bred to perform’ mantra and they feel it is fitting it is the seven-year-old breeding series that they back.

Angela Miller knows this only too well. She’s an owner and part owner of Matthews Hanoverian-bred jumpers. “This series is a good fit for a breeder of top quality horses,” says Angela. “While the series is lower in numbers, the standard is high and historically it has been a good indicator of future champs.”

It is just their second year sponsoring the series.

Matthews Hanoverians is owned by Judith and Peter Matthews who run their stud in Awanui, Northland. They have been breeding for more than 20 years, and while predominantly known for their dressage horses, they have produced some top-flight jumpers too. “Matthews Hanoverians was one of the first in New Zealand to perform a successful embryo transfer out of their German import, the now retired St Premium St Wel Katje.”

Angela is often ringside to watch at shows. “The seven-year-old series is always a great watch and the people I have met through this sponsorship are amazing,” she says. “It is a real sense of achievement just seeing those horses go into the ring. It is a long and difficult road to get there. I have a better appreciation (through my involvement with horses) and huge admiration of the incredible work our breeders do.”

And she is quick to encourage people to invest in good bloodlines. “Support our New Zealand breeders,” says Angela. “If you like a horse, just pay the money – it will be cheaper in the long run!”

Each year Matthews Hanoverians breed around eight foals using imported frozen semen from modern and successful stallions, but also some fresh transported semen.

Their stars in recent years have been high performance dressage rider Wendi Williamson aboard her current horse Don Amour MH who this year qualified for the World Cup Final, as well as the late Dejavu MH who competed at the final, and Melody Matheson’s Cortaflex Graffiti MH who in March this year was runner-up for the second consecutive year in the Olympic Cup for Showjumper of the Year. And there have been others to stand out in the jumping arenas including Alacazam MH, Roulette MH and Enya MH.

Judith Matthews has a long association with equestrian and in 2017 received the Kay Fissenden Memorial Trophy for her outstanding contribution to Dressage New Zealand. She is hailed as a visionary in New Zealand breeding and while she sought initially to breed a good horse for herself, the resulting efforts have most certainly changed the face of dressage competition in this country, and are now also being seen in the Jumping arena.

For more information, head to www.matthewshanoverians.co.nz

 

By Diana Dobson

21 April 2020