​​​Our October Dressage and ShowCross event was a great day out and enjoyed by many.

Thanks to our club members, judges, competitors and volunteers who contributed to the success of the day.
Check out the stunning photos taken by Aimee Jules Photography
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Here's the results
L1 / 50cm 
Dressage
1st Sophie Gill - Tora / 2nd Julie Mckay - Northwood Amazing Dancer / 3rd Sarah Wilkin - Rockarden Ruben
ShowCross
1st Ursula Oakes - Sweet as Bro / 2nd Margie Swainson - Flash (NRC Trophy) / 3rd Sophie Gill - Tora / 4th Lisa Friis - George
Dressage & ShowCross
1st Sophie Gill - Tora / 2nd Julie Mckay - Northwood Amazing Dancer

L2 / 70cm
Dressage
1st Kirsty Lalich - Clodd / 2nd Liz Brown - Gynfello / 3rd Kirsty Lalich - Bojangles / 4th Jolene Rushbrooke - Zeus
ShowCross
1st Kirsty Lalich - Bojangles / 2nd Mia Lalich - Bond / 3rd Kirsty Lalich - Clodd / 4th Jolene Rushbrooke - Zeus
Dressage & ShowCross
1st Kirsty Lalich - Bojangles / 2nd Kirsty Lalich - Clodd / 3rd Mia Lalich - Bond / 4th Joelene Rushbrooke - Zeus

L4 / 90cm
Dressage
1st Sophie Kyle - Dougal / 2nd Kirsty Lalich - Clodd / 3rd Sally AustinPearcey - Atatu / 4th Irene Minchin - Sanssouci BT
ShowCross
1st Sophie Kyle - Dougal / 2nd Irene Minchin - Sanssouci BT (NRC Trophy) / 3rd Sally AustenPearcey - Atatu / 4th Mia Lalich - Polly 
Dressage & ShowCross
1st Sophie Kyle - Dougal / 2nd Irene Minchin - Sanssouci BT (NRC Trophy) / 3rd Sally AustenPearcey - Atau / 4th Mia Lalich - Polly 

Our September Club Day was a lunging session at Stonehurst Farm on Haycocks Road.
It was an opportunity to learn how to lunge and the benefits of all the different lunging equipment. There was the opportunity to practice on a schoolmaster (thanks Archie) and to give it a go with your own horse in the safety of the round yards.  After the lunging we went for a nice ride down around the farm.

​Movie Night
Member and friends enjoyed a night at the movies with a screening of Dream Horse at the Richmond Library. 

Eve Hawes Clinic
We hosted an Eve Hawes XC, this was an opportunity for attendees to gain or further their knowledge in the sport of eventing.  The riding parts of the clinics were suitable for people competing or training at 65cm and above.  The clinic started with an evening session focusing on equine nutrition, fitness management and eventing.  On Saturday groups focused on dressage and show jumping with specific emphasis on cross country type fences.  Then on Sunday they were out on the cross-country course, putting into practice the skills learnt on Saturday

Our July Club Day was all about Show Jumping.  

The club was fortunate to host show jumping judge, Louise Bradley.  This was a popular session and there was a great turnout, including a number of new club members.

We started with a theory session on course design and the rules for show jumping.  A shared hot drink and chocolate biscuit and lots of opportunities to ask questions.  We now know our instant jump offs from our two phases!

Course design / ESNZ rules 

• Have the first jump facing the floats / gate to encourage horses to get underway
• No fills, walls or doubles until fence 4
• Rails are 4 faults (per jump not per rail...)
• First refusal 4 faults, second refusal at some jump 8 faults (total of 12 for that jump)
• Third refusal on course elimination
• Fall of horse or rider is elimination
• You have 45 seconds from when the bell rings to go through the start flags
• Most courses are a figure 8 and include changes in rein

ESNZ Rules for show jumping and show hunter can be found on their website
Jumping and Show Hunter Rules | ESNZ (nzequestrian.org.nz)

We built a simple show jumping course and learnt about distances, related lines and maximum spreads for each height.

Club members and their equine partners then jumped the course.  It was a great supportive environment and the photos below show the fun that was had.

Whilst there was snow on the hills we were lucky with the weather later in the morning, the arena surface was great and there was actually some sunshine.  

In the afternoon non-members were able to hire the course for 15 minutes of schooling and we had four riders who took up this opportunity.

Thanks to Louise for a great session.  Committee members came away with lots of ideas for some fun jumping sessions to offer in the future.

​Thanks Emma Nath for the photos.

After the disappointment of cancelling our June Club Day ride around the Wai-iti Loop due to rain the weather gods redeemed themselves, and on Sunday 26th June club members enjoyed a mid-winter solstice beach ride.  It was a lovely ride and ended with a hot drink and biscuits (during which plans were hatched for upcoming club days and clinics... watch for these on our Upcoming Events page!)

​Fifteen people, including 10 NRC members, enjoyed an educational talk from Robyn Mauger at the Richmond Library on Monday night.  Robyn has trained as a vet nurse, is a part time racehorse trainer, worked on stud farms and spent time as an international Event groom.  

Robyn shared her passion for equine nutrition and knowledge about supplements and feeding.  Robyn described practical tips for feeding horses and insights on those niggly behavioural problems that are linked to grass and feed in New Zealand.  

There was lots of opportunity to ask questions and Robyn shared knowledge and advice.
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Robyn's energetic and fun personality meant this was an enjoyable informative horsey time out.

We had lovely weather for our May Club day at Rough Island.  The theme was Give it a Go.  A number of Working Equitation and Cowboy Challenge obstacles were set-up.  Horses were introduced to these in hand and then ridden.  There was lots of support and sharing of knowledge.  The rally was capped off with a lovely stroll around the island.  Lots of firsts for the equine partnerships attending.
​Thanks to Dawn and Caitlin for the photos.

Working Equitation - give it a go and skill sharing.

At our club day in May we will be setting up the Working Equitation (WE) equipment.  This is an opportunity for all club members to have a go at the obstacles.  Those members who have experience in WE are encouraged to share their knowledge and demonstrate each obstacle.

Obstacles can be completed in-hand, at walk or faster.  Here's some more information about WE
​Working Equitation (hartstoneequestrian.com)

Where - Rough Island Equestrian Park
When - Sunday 8 May from 10am - 2pm
Wet weather cancellation notification will be via email and Facebook.

​A reminder that it's that time of year again and our club's AGM will be held on Sunday 10 April.  

The tide is right for a beach ride first. Meeting at the Rabbit Island float parking area.  Be ready to ride at 11am.  The AGM will follow the ride at approximately 12.30pm.  Non-riders welcome.  BYO chairs.

Below are the following;
Accounts for the 2021-2022 year
The minutes of the 2021-2022 AGM
The agenda for the 2022-2023 AGM
A nomination form for committee positions and members.  The majority of the existing committee have indicated their willingness to continue for another year.  However there can always be elections and there are vacant seats around the committee table that need filling :-)