2023 - 2024 Committee Members
President - Natasha Berkett
Vice President - Susanne Stevenson
Treasurer - Emma Neth
Secretary - Justine Lester
Rough Island Equestrian Park delegates - Emma and Irene
Committee - Anu Cameron, Irene Minchin, Lisa Gunson, Sue Mclaren
President - Natasha Berkett
Vice President - Susanne Stevenson
Treasurer - Emma Neth
Secretary - Justine Lester
Rough Island Equestrian Park delegates - Emma and Irene
Committee - Anu Cameron, Irene Minchin, Lisa Gunson, Sue Mclaren
President - Natasha Berkett
I have been a member of the Nelson Riding Club since 2019 and joined the Committee in 2020. I rode a lot when I was a young and returned to riding as an adult. I’m really enjoying the challenges of my horse journey, so much is different now from how we interacted with, looked after and rode our horses 30 or 40 years ago! I joined NRC to meet other riders and to try out some of the activities and I have not been disappointed. The Club puts on lots of amazing activities over the year and tries to do something for everyone – from jumping and dressage through to fun social rides and troop riding . The Club also represents its riders on the Rough Island Park Board, so that we can ensure this great facility continues to be well maintained and available to use. I say, get involved – the more help we have the more we can do!!
Vice President - Susanne Stevenson
Susanne Stevenson
I joined Nelson Riding Club in 2021 just after I moved up from Christchurch as I wanted the opportunity to get to meet fellow riders in the community and it has been great. I have been riding most of my life (majority in the UK) but only got into competing in my early 30s. I was very fortunate to find my dream horse “Archie” when he was 7 and the two of us grew together to compete a lot in the UK. He is now 23 and still going strong although we don’t compete that much now. Here’s a photo of us doing Show Cross last year in Nelson - yes I flew him over at the age of 13 and have had no regrets!!
I joined Nelson Riding Club in 2021 just after I moved up from Christchurch as I wanted the opportunity to get to meet fellow riders in the community and it has been great. I have been riding most of my life (majority in the UK) but only got into competing in my early 30s. I was very fortunate to find my dream horse “Archie” when he was 7 and the two of us grew together to compete a lot in the UK. He is now 23 and still going strong although we don’t compete that much now. Here’s a photo of us doing Show Cross last year in Nelson - yes I flew him over at the age of 13 and have had no regrets!!
Treasurer - Emma Neth
I've been riding since I was tiny but returned again to riding and competing in 2017. It's taken a lot to get my confidence back but Nelson Riding Club have been fantastic in supporting and encouraging me. I love to do a variety of different things with my ex racehorse Jill but jumping is my favourite.
Secretary - Justine Lester
I started riding at Bomana Pony Club in Port Morseby, PNG in the early 1980s. I've been involved with horses in some form ever since. We moved to Nelson, from Canterbury, in 2019. I'm a bit of a fair weather rider so hopefully the lack of wind and additional sunshine will see me in the saddle more often! I joined the Nelson Riding Club to get to know other riders in the region. I'm looking forward to getting out and about on my "pony" and meeting other riders and horsie people.
Committee Members
Anu Cameron
I shifted down from the North Island about 6 years ago and love it here! I rode extensively as a kid and teenager and returned to riding three years ago when I took on my lovely girl, Pip. Three years later, I have 2 mares, expecting my first foal, and work at a Sporthorse Stud Farm.
I joined the club last year to meet people and get to know the riding community. I also became a committee member, enjoyed the experience so am doing it again!
I shifted down from the North Island about 6 years ago and love it here! I rode extensively as a kid and teenager and returned to riding three years ago when I took on my lovely girl, Pip. Three years later, I have 2 mares, expecting my first foal, and work at a Sporthorse Stud Farm.
I joined the club last year to meet people and get to know the riding community. I also became a committee member, enjoyed the experience so am doing it again!
Lisa Gunson
I have been a member of NRC before. I have now chosen to be a member again and join the committee this time to help out and join in with other like-minded horsey people.
I have been riding for 30 years now, mostly hacking out on my own or with friends and going on Trail rides. I have been on a Cavalcade and loved it. I would love to do more of these.
I have a Mixed bred gelding named Zeus. He is a Fressian/Shire/Clydesdale/Thoroughbred, I have had him for 8 years now.
I have been a member of NRC before. I have now chosen to be a member again and join the committee this time to help out and join in with other like-minded horsey people.
I have been riding for 30 years now, mostly hacking out on my own or with friends and going on Trail rides. I have been on a Cavalcade and loved it. I would love to do more of these.
I have a Mixed bred gelding named Zeus. He is a Fressian/Shire/Clydesdale/Thoroughbred, I have had him for 8 years now.
Sue Mclaren
I have been riding most of my life and have the joy of doing several Globe Trotters rides 2 up north and one in Mongolia which was a trip of a lifetime. I have Primo who I have had for about 3 years, and we have been on a real journey but since moving him to Nelson from Blenheim we have got a much better connection, and he is such a cool guy. I enjoy going out on Trail rides not really into the jumping probably because I don’t know how to jump properly. I have ridden many CTR courses and Primo and I love it. I joined the club because even though I am born and breed in Nelson I don’t know where to go riding and I wanted to meet other riders that would be keen to go out and explore the region.
I have been riding most of my life and have the joy of doing several Globe Trotters rides 2 up north and one in Mongolia which was a trip of a lifetime. I have Primo who I have had for about 3 years, and we have been on a real journey but since moving him to Nelson from Blenheim we have got a much better connection, and he is such a cool guy. I enjoy going out on Trail rides not really into the jumping probably because I don’t know how to jump properly. I have ridden many CTR courses and Primo and I love it. I joined the club because even though I am born and breed in Nelson I don’t know where to go riding and I wanted to meet other riders that would be keen to go out and explore the region.
Irene Minchin
My name is Irene Minchin, and I returned to riding 11 years ago after a long break. I have two horses and live in Ruby Bay. I love eventing so work hard on each of the 3 phases. I also love getting away with my horses and friends into the outdoors, whether it's a couple hours of hacking down the beach or an overnighter into the back country.
My name is Irene Minchin, and I returned to riding 11 years ago after a long break. I have two horses and live in Ruby Bay. I love eventing so work hard on each of the 3 phases. I also love getting away with my horses and friends into the outdoors, whether it's a couple hours of hacking down the beach or an overnighter into the back country.