Photographer Peter Rees captures this stunning image as daughter Eva and her friend Bryony Gordon enjoy their ponies on Waiheke Island.
For two young riders from a high school on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, the Secondary School Championships will be the first time the girls have ever taken their ponies off the Island.
Eva Rees and Bryony Gordon are nearly 14 years old and very excited to embark on a journey that will take five ponies by ferry to Half Moon Bay on the mainland, then continue the journey to Taupō for the event that starts on Monday 2 September.
The girls have lived on Waiheke Island all their lives, and their ponies are located at Waiheke Equestrian, a horse riding and trekking facility owned by Cindy Page. They are two of five ponies travelling by horse float and by truck driven by parents.
Two other team members, Sienna Stevens and Grace Russell, have previously competed at events on the mainland. But for Eva and Bryony this is a whole new experience.
Eva’s pony Molly (Rookie Blue) is a grey mare with one blue and one brown eye. She loves to jump her in local show jumping and show hunter events.
“I’ve never been off the Island for a show. I’m just so excited to go away for a week and see everyone competing at different things. I’ve never tried dressage so it’s my first time,” said Eva.
Eva has been riding since she was five and father Peter Rees, who is a photographer and videographer, says it is a wonderful opportunity for the girls to take part in such a big competition alongside their peers.
“Eva and Bryony are two real newbies,” said Peter. “They’ve done a few minor little sort of pony club things on the island. But this will be their first time doing anything like this, never mind, the fact that it’s off the Island.”
Peter is originally from Wales, and he and his wife moved to Waiheke in 2010. Since Eva has begun riding, it has opened his eyes to the idyllic lifestyle that New Zealand children are able to enjoy. And he has captured some wonderful moments as the girls and their ponies have explored the Island and the beautiful beaches that epitomise the lifestyle there.
“They’re feeling a little nervous. But am I nervous for them? No, not at all,” said Peter.
“As far as I’m concerned, anything that pushes them is great. I’ve not been involved as a horse dad before, so this is kind of new to me. But I’m enjoying it. The best thing we ever did was getting Eva into horses. They have changed her whole outlook. It’s amazing,” said Peter.