Congratulations to ESNZ’s November 2021 Volunteers of the Month, Peter and Debbie Barke!  

Pete Jenkins, president of Bay of Plenty Dressage, nominated the couple particularly for all the work they do for the NEC Taupō committee where they have been “happy to get their hands dirty be it helping to build a covered yard, fencing around the new warm-up arena or spreading fibre…”

Peter and Debbie are both qualified British Horse Society Instructors (BHSI) with many years coaching experience at all levels. Peter is also a National Pony Club instructor and National examiner at A and H level.

Debbie has a huge amount of experience in the equine world. She trained in the UK for the BHSI exams completing them whilst doing her honours degree in equine and business management. While in the UK she got involved with the British Paralympic Dressage Team for about ten years, travelling to many countries, including Australia, where she and Peter met.  After the Atlanta Paralympics, Debbie became joint trainer and selector for the British Paralympic team; the high performance team environment gave her experience at top level coaching as well as the skills involved with coaching Para Equestrian riders who competed up to open medium level.

Peter and Debbie are active, generous and involved volunteers who, along with all our volunteers, are what makes our sport thrive and for that we are immensely grateful. Thank you!

ESNZ Volunteer of the Month receives a gift in recognition of their contribution; Peter and Debbie’s are on their way.

You can nominate your ESNZ Volunteer of the Month by emailing us at [email protected]  with Volunteer of the Month in the subject line.

Please provide this information along with a photo of your nominee:

Who are you nominating?

From what discipline?

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Why are you nominating them?

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Your contact phone number and email