I have been in New Zealand for three weeks now and have not had a dull moment!  I began this adventure with the aim to see a new part of the world, old friends, and get back into my love of riding and training young horses.  I have long heard that there were great horses down under, and was excited to experience them for myself, as well as to work on myself as a rider.

The trip was as to be expected–LONG–but uneventful and I landed safely in Auckland and hit the ground running!  I spent a few days with friends from the States who now live in a village outside Auckland called Maraetai.  There, I enjoyed soaking in the culture, the sun, and the beach!  After 4 days I headed to Matamata to meet Job, my New Zealand contact, and “Zibu,” the foundation Stallion of Chrialka Stud, who has been under Job’s care and training.  The next day I caught a bus to Napier, the Art Deco capitol of NZ, to meet Liz and to head to the farm.

The stud is located in Hawkes Bay, outside of Napier and Hastings.  Virtually surrounded by vineyards, It is an expansive 2,500 acres of rolling hills, home to sheep, cattle, and of course the stud’s budding sport horses.  I was quickly acquainted with the 20+ equines on the property, ranging in age from a few months to 6 years.  The first week was light as the cattle were in the yards being scanned for pregnancy and the weather was a bit wet, but Liz and I got to riding and bringing a few horses back into work.  I also got to go out with Mark Nelson to muster some of the cattle!  Next came bringing in all the horses for handling, drenching, a little mane tidying, and then back out to new paddocks.  Liz also took me out on a few hacks to explore some of the farm, and let me tell you it goes on for days!

Now we have 5 horses in work under saddle on a daily basis, with a few to come in to be backed and trained in the coming weeks, including a 4 year old stallion!  A few of the horses are just green broke and I will be working with them from the ground as well as from the saddle to bring them along and continue their training.  Liz and I have also taken a few of the further along horses to dressage lessons to improve our schooling.  We also look forward to taking them to a few competitions in the upcoming months.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Dressage Championships in Taupo to watch some stellar riding.  I also got to help out as a “writer,” recording scores and comments for the judges as competitors rode their tests.  It was a neat way to feel like part of the action while not actually competing.  Next week is the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, which will host some 2,600 horses and riders for 6 days of competition and celebration.  Liz and I will be manning a tent to represent and promote the stud, as well as watching some of the top competition in the Southern Hemisphere.

As it is just Liz and I working with the horses, each day is full of work, riding, tending to the horses, and of course fun.  It has also been a unique look into what it is like to own and run an equine business.  I look forward to the next few months as the horses and I continue to work and learn, and as I get to see more of the beautiful country!  In addition to my stud stay, I also hope to do a few of the areas well known walks, and go on a wine tour as Hawkes bay is one of the premiere wine producing areas in New Zealand.

I have greatly enjoyed my first 3 weeks in New Zealand and look forward to 11 more!

Kristen

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