Ambassador Kyle Calder and Summer Le Normand riding Galaxy Game Changer. Credit LJ Photography.

The Demo & Dabble, ESNZ’s bespoke multidisciplinary event is coming to Christchurch on 22-23 March 2025 at the Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC Christchurch.   It builds on the success of the event held in the Waikato last month with glowing comments from riders who took part:

“Simple and informative, great confidence building experience”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the group vibe and interacting with the other riders, all of us from different backgrounds and with different aspirations”

“Both ambassadors were knowledgeable, patient and encouraging”

The format remains very similar to the Waikato model:  a hand-picked team of ambassadors will take riders through the Demo rings, and then they get to Dabble in the discipline(s) of their choice.   These include Dressage, Showjumping and Show Hunter, Eventing and Competitive Trail Riding.  Riders can take part on one or both days and a social event will be set up for Saturday night.  Prizes are rewarded for horsemanship (see winners below):

Kristy Bovill-Meakin with Vancouver and Jenn Ludman with Benson. Demo & Dabble, WEC Hamilton, November 2024

A social media campaign will be rolled out in the weeks leading up to the event on ESNZ’s  Facebook Events page (see Discussion tab), and the previous event has been captured on the website Strengthen & Adapt page and also on ESNZ’s YouTube channel.

Because you asked for it

The Demo & Dabble concept was designed by a working group of volunteer members that came out of workshops set up from the Strengthen & Adapt Roadshows that were funded by Sport NZ.  A survey identified that people felt a passionate need for an event that is fun, social, multi-disciplinary and not necessarily competitive.  

Other initiatives by members of the Strengthen & Adapt working groups have included:

  • A new look at the Introductory membership offering. The Starting Out membership offers introductory access across all our disciplines and has grown steadily in popularity in the recreational riding community.
  • A volunteer pathway working group has produced some fantastic resources and these will be pooled along with a series of helpful how-to videos for newcomers to the volunteer space, ready for release early in 2025.