Read some engaging and heart warming stories about some of the wonderful people who have share their love of horses with us.
Claudia Faulkner: the backbone of Eventing Canterbury (27/10/23)
A secondary school Phys Ed teacher, an Event Secretary, a rider, and mum to a 1-year-old. ESNZ Eventing unlocks the heady yet organised life of Eventing Canterbury’s Claudia Faulkner. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/10/claudia-faulkner-the-backbone-of-eventing-canterbury
Courage to Compete Again (29/11/24)
It takes courage to get back into competitive riding after a lengthy break. There are two women in our endurance community who have done just that and have recently got back into the saddle with the support of family and friends. Their breaks from riding have been due to shifting focus to raise a family and to recover from illness. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/11/the-courage-to-compete-again
Game Changer Meg now sits at the National Dressage Table (15/9/23)
She may only be 18-years-old, but Meg Johnston has already made quite an impact as an ambassador among younger riders throughout the country. Now she’s Dressage New Zealand’s first Youth committee member. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/09/game-changer-meg-now-sits-at-the-national-dressage-table
International Eyes Upon a Kiwi Gem from Mount View Sport Horses (13/10/23)
Very rarely does a horse appear for sale on the international sport horse market that nobody has ever seen before. So, when Richard and Wendy Keddell’s stunning grey stallion Rolensky MVNZ arrived in the Netherlands, he caused quite a stir and reached one of the highest prices ever paid for a New Zealand sport horse. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/10/international-eyes-upon-a-kiwi-gem-from-mount-view-sport-horses
Keeping it in the Family (7/7/23)
Three generations of riders in the same family is an impressive effort, but it’s no big deal to the Cammock family of Canterbury. Grandma Viv, daughter Emily, and grand-daughter Katie have been riding together since Katie was three. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/07/cantabrians-keeping-it-in-the-family
Lights, Cameras, and a Look Behind the Action on “Young Riders” (8/11/24)
Jumping is in the spotlight again as series 5 of “Young Riders” goes into production. But how much do we now about what goes on behind the scenes? ESNZ caught up with Producer Kate Peacocke to find out. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/11/lights-cameras-and-a-look-behind-the-action-on-young-riders
Mackenzie Marlo likes to Pay it Forward (23/2/24)
Movie over ‘Swifties’! we’ve found a young local rider who is reaching for the weed-eater, and not the pink lipstick. Mackenzie Marlo is hard at work behind the scenes at some of our top events, and says that ‘paying it forward’ makes better competitions for everyone. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/02/mackenzie-marlo-likes-to-pay-it-forward
Multi-tasking Stewards Embark on FEI Para Certification Journey (26/1/24)
A shortage of FEI para-equestrian stewards – just one in NZ – has led a dedicated twosome to putting their horses on hold and planning a trip to Belgium to chase the qualification. Karen Shields and Bob Smith discuss their complex roles as ESNZ National stewards and the exciting time ahead, as they celebrate 10 years volunteering for the Auckland Manukau Dressage Group. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/01/multi-tasking-stewards-embark-on-fei-para-certification-journey
New Organisation Promotes Rare and At Risk Horse Breeds (22/9/23)
Paso fino, Fjord, Icelandic, Timor, Haflinger and PRE are just some of the horses that make up New Zealand’s fledgling Rare Horse Society, recently started up by enthusiasts Liselle Silver, and Megan Hopkinson (pictured). The group is working to identify and challenge the social, cultural and physical issues and debunking perceptions that only sport horses and warmbloods can be used to compete. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/09/new-organisation-promotes-rare-and-at-risk-horse-breeds
New South Island Series Hits the Spot (1/11/24)
A four year struggle with a mare that was “unpredictable” has paid off for 17-year-old Amy Brenssell, at a new jumping category introduced into the South Island this season. For Amy, it was the perfect opportunity to put to the test the hours of training she had undertaken with her cross-bred mare, Kiwi Tune. And she came out smiling as she rode out of Ring 1 with a clear round, and went on to win the class held in Otago two weeks ago. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/11/new-south-island-category-hits-the-spot
Nimon Trust Enables Ben to Connect with Riding Royalty (10/11/23)
Ben Weir has three new friends: Swedish Olympic gold medalist Peder Fredricson and fellow Olympian Peter Eriksson, and British Olympic gold medalist Carl Hester. They met Ben when he spent a whirlwind two months in Europe as a recipient of the Nimon Trust for young showjumpers earlier this year. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/11/nimon-trust-enables-ben-to-connect-with-riding-royalty
One of NZ’s First FEI Vets Qualifies as a Level 4 Official (2/2/24)
He’s the first New Zealander to qualify as a Level 4 FEI official vet, and now he’s off to Turkey to the FEI National Head Vets Conference. The medical maestro who retired from his day job in 2020 has no plans of slowing down. We celebrate Tony Parson’s success and learn more about his journey. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/02/one-of-nzs-first-fei-vets-qualifies-as-a-level-4-official
Operation Doesn’t Get in the Way for Sarah (16/2/24)
One-time Eventer, Sarah Milne has resilience to burn. And she’s needed it, as she had to learn to ride again after double-knee surgery last July. Now, after seven months of rehab, she’s back on the show circuit and has just won her first Dressage class. And nothing is stopping her, as she plans her next goal. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/02/sarah-doesnt-let-an-operation-get-in-her-way
Para Equestrian Pathway Helps Nicole Shine Again (20/12/24)
In this heart warming story, we hear how Nicole Sweney is back at the top of her game after three years of rehab following a rare neurological condition. She is grateful for the support of many, including the Para Equestrian community. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/12/para-equestrian-pathway-helps-nicole-shine-again
Para Pal Shares her “Lamborghini” (29/9/23)
What do you do when there are two riders and only one horse? Anne Watts and Nicola Essex-Wills faced this challenge just weeks out from a Para-Equestrian FEI competition in Melbourne, with nothing for Nicola to ride. So, Anne told her friend to “jump on JJ” and now they’re both on their way to Melbourne to compete in the 2* and 3* respectively on Joseph’s Dream (aka the “Lamborghini”). https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/09/para-pal-shares-her-lamborghini
Rania gets the Grand Prix Recipe Right (supplied) (11/8/23)
Rania Todd knew the quality of the horses she was breeding was high; she says there was no way she could have forecast the level of success her ‘babies’ would reach on the global stage. Now grown up, Windermere J’Obei W and Jax Johnson bring such joy to followers of Grand Prix dressage on the local, and now international, circuit. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/08/rania-gets-the-grand-prix-recipe-right
Teen’s Grassroots Journey (12/1/24)
Often we share stories about our local equestrians achieving great things at the top of their field. Today, we bring you the success story of a grass roots teenager who describes how horses have turned her life around and helped her to “take a step back and be in the moment”. We met Caitlin Bell in Christchurch during the Strengthen and Adapt Roadshows late last year. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/01/grass-roots-teen-says-its-all-about-the-support
Trampolining and Eventing – a Juggle that’s Paying Off (24/11/23)
Campbell Robertson has just returned from the World Champs. But he wasn’t there to compete in equestrian sports. Instead, it was the heady heights of the double-mini trampolining for this 4* Eventing rider from Christchurch. The “multi-tasker” made it to the semifinals and finished 14th (the second placed Australasian) in a field of 48. Although each sport is very different, he explains that there are similarities. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2023/11/trampolining-and-eventing-a-juggle-thats-paying-off
Waikato Equestrian Centre Holds Fast to a Long Term Future (29/3/24)
At the Waikato Equestrian Centre, GM Kara Lockhart is plugged into a busy calendar she expects will top her record of 43 events last year. The WEC’s lease is up for renewal in 10 years’ time, so Kara is making every effort to show why the 100-plus acre facility needs to remain available to equestrian sports for the long term. https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/03/waikato-equestrian-centre-holds-fast-to-a-long-term-future