Royalton Showhorses

22/11/2025

George loved the beach today and it was a great way to try and shift the last of the flu too.

Even better cantering with good friends 🙌

06/11/2025

Who else loves a still evening and a sunset?

Works been busy with the Poseidon Animal Health
Black Friday sale orders to process, this was just what I needed.

31/10/2025

What happens when your the best horse ever and your an over protective horse mother ???

You get brought a HorseSafe hood .. it’s a crazy bit of tech that gives real time Information and GPS tracking.

It will send alerts if he’s colicing or all of a sudden walking circles or acting out of his normal routine.

After the wasp and his colic episodes over the years, I’ve decided the cameras aren’t enough so a Fitbit for horses It is! 😅😆

26/10/2025

🐝Wasp VS Murphy 🐝

Poor Murphy found a paper wasp nest yesterday and he had quite the reaction.


⛑️Antihistamines, steroids & anti inflammatorys to the rescue and cold hosing.

I covered him in a Tuffrock to help with the heat and sting and watching it work was amazing.

His entire body swelled up, especially his face and chest where he was stung and (I was panicking for a bit at the sight of him)

The swelling in his flanks and up inside his legs was so swishy and weird.

Thankfully he is heaps happier today albeit still a bit puffy, but honestly.. that was an extreme reaction Murphy just so I couldn’t go for dinner at the In-laws !

24/10/2025

This is why I love a good TB!!

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

⭐️11 years old

⭐️ Retired from jump racing last September.

George had one lunge last week to see where his brain was at and I was very happy that he could lunge and it was a non event.

Today it was a case of saddle up a quick lunge and get on and go.

He didn’t even put his back up after over a year off.

He is no Jason Mamoa (or the red headed equivalent) and isn’t my usual type at all…BUT I am so blown away with how well he went and his try to do the right thing was amazing.

He just felt beautiful.

It still baffles me how quick people are to swipe past a TB.

Hopefully he can get to the autumn end of the eventing season 🙏

21/10/2025

It really takes a village to be a working mum with horses, and that’s before you even add in the away shows.

I’m sure we all juggle many hats and wonder how we do it?!

Im so grateful for Trav, the kids, and Mum for giving up their time or putting up with “ hang on, I’ll just bring the horses in or change this rug before we go” so I can do what I love.

It’s an obsession this horse bug and I appreciate everyone who supports me and my crazy horse habit.

📸 Rachel Stringfellow - Pet Photography

16/10/2025

⭐️Poverty Bay A&P 150th Royal ⭐️

Murphy’s first appearance in the Hack ring.

🥇 Champion Open Hack

🥇 P&M Open Hack

🥉LOVERACING.NZ TB class

⭐️ Best Presented chosen at random ⭐️

Poverty Bay has to be the best show on the card.

Thank you to the team that put on the fantastic and friendly show, Every year it gets better and better. Thank you to the section sponsor Jenni Calver.

Murphy tried so hard to remember how to Show Horse, I might have to do a lot less farm rides and more circles & figure out how to get Murph to drink when away🫣

He drank maybe 20L max so I was a bit worried.

My little crew Chandar & Anne it was a great time away and congratulations on your successes!

A big thank you to my sponsors

❤️ Saddle & Canter - incredibly hard wearing and stylish equestrian wear that i wear both in the show ring and out daily.

⬇️ EquiPro NZ - If you need the best turnout show prep products stocking..

⭐️Hi Shine Equine - I have been using HSE for years be it a daily spray of hot oil or for turning my horses out in the ring

⭐️Nags To Riches - Helps me achieve perfect plaits and turnout of the horses I've also spent hours watching the “how to do” videos on the website.

While not affiliated I am really thankful for the support from Donna at Harvest Grains with my questions.

Murphy ate all his feed while away for the 3 days and looked great because of Megabuild and wasn't hot under saddle either.
Saddlery Warehouse Hastings big thanks for being stockists. tosr too

14/10/2025

The current weather report for Poverty Bay A and P

It’s raining more now than Hawke’s Bays had all winter !

☔️🌧️

04/10/2025

I have the same feeling for our 4am wake up call Murphy!

Off to Wanganui bright and early to remember how to be a show horse.

Is it just me or Is the first lot of plaiting & prep of the season seems so awkward 🥴

11/09/2025

It’s a win today opening the Oaklane Stables Premium Chaff bag without fighting to find the pull string!

it’s the little win that keep us girls happy 😂

23/08/2025

🙅The doctor said no riding for a week..

I figuredred if I'm not actually using the shoulder and ride only on the buckle it doesn't really count.

20/08/2025

I take my hat off to our re trainers.

Its not an easy job rehoming a Tb and there needs to be more support in this process at the retainer and when these horses get to their new home.

𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 & 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩

We want to talk openly about what’s happening behind the scenes with thoroughbreds leaving racing in New Zealand — and why the current system isn’t working.

Every week we see more horses come in, and the reality is tough:
• A number of horses arrive with issues that need time and careful management.
• It’s almost impossible to rehome horses under 3 years or over 7 years, yet these ages are sent to us.
• We struggle with transparency from owners and trainers, which makes planning for each horse harder.
• Behavioural or physical issues which deem them unsuitable for rehoming.

The truth is, most thoroughbreds need:
• At least 3 months of spell/let-down after racing.
• Then 3 months of retraining before they are ready for new homes.
• Honesty around horses not suitable for rehoming.

But there is no financial support to keep them this long. At present, we’re only funded a small $300 arrival fee which covers for a week intake — and that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what they actually need.
We do receive a $200 fee for traceability once the horse is “Rehomed” - after paperwork is done. I pay someone to do my office work as im busy with the farm and horses.

The Bigger Picture
• The market value of a retrained thoroughbred is next to nothing in New Zealand, despite the huge time and costs involved.
• There are very few homes available, and even fewer riders who have the skillset to take on a thoroughbred straight out of racing.
• Once rehomed, there is almost no support for new owners, and many struggle with behavioural or soundness issues months later. Sadly, we can’t keep taking horses back — we are already overwhelmed.
• On top of that, we have to put safety first for our team. These are sensitive animals, and without proper resourcing it’s increasingly hard to find staff willing (or able) to do this work.

Why We Still Do It

Because we love the horses. 🐎
We know they deserve a future beyond racing. We are trying our best to help, and to push for meaningful change in the way thoroughbreds are transitioned in New Zealand.

But we can’t do it alone. We need a system that values quality retraining, transparency, welfare, and long-term support — not just quick turnover.

We’re sharing this not to discourage, but to raise awareness. These horses deserve better, and with the right change, we believe they can get it.

We are open to suggestions on how to improved.