Equestrian at Matawai 1912

07/08/2023

Welcome to 6339 Matawai Road, Gisborne - an enchanting 28-hectare oasis nestled in the heart of New Zealand's breath-taking East Coast region. This magnificent ...

09/06/2023

Just putting feelers out for overnight places to stay with horses, between Gisborne and Otago.
1. Near/in Wellington (a shortish trip to the ferry)
2. Picton area
3. Christchurch area

Small paddock/s or yards, and a place to have a quick shower would be great.

We will most likely be travelling with 3 horses, around September October.

06/06/2023

This beautiful lifestyle property is ideally based between Gisborne and the BOP. A gorgeous stable block, with adjoining boutique accommodation.

Looking for a place for you and your equine friends that is both unique and affordable. This is a must view.

Welcome to 6339 Matawai Road, Gisborne - an enchanting 28-hectare oasis nestled in the heart of New Zealand's breath-taking East Coast region. This magnificent ...

21/05/2023

This amazing, peaceful and unique place goes to auction on Friday. So this week may be your last chance to see how this piece of paradise might work for you. Contact the agent Jacob Geuze from Bayleys for a viewing.

Matawai, Gisborne

09/05/2023

Matawai, Gisborne

24/04/2023

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Welcome to 6339 Matawai Road, Gisborne - an enchanting 28-hectare oasis nestled in the heart of New Zealand's breath-taking East Coast region. This magnificent ...

04/02/2023

The Stables accomodation is nearing completion. Should be ready in another month or two. However if you want to bring your friend, partner, horse, dog or a combination of those, you are more than welcome to give me a message to book a spot for a relaxing weekend away at a reduced rate until completed.

07/01/2023

I do love and agree with the philosophy of the author of this.

THE THING ABOUT HORSES ...

“He MUST be good to load on the float”
“He MUST have no “dirt”!”
“He MUST be good to catch!”

I could go on, but I’m sure you have all read and heard the statements, and many many many many more.

As soon as I see this in a “wanted” ad, or hear someone talking about it, I know two things.

1. They have probably had a problem in one of these areas before.

2. They didn’t learn how to fix it.

It seems like witchcraft that the people who strive so hard to find these horses that fit the MUST list, actually end up with exactly what they don’t want.

Here’s my feelings on that -

If I didn’t train it, I don’t own it.

If I buy a horse that can do 86 one time changes in a row, and I don’t know what a flying change is, then I’m not going to be able to perform 86 one time changes on my new fancy horse. Maybe I could stay in the saddle for a few, but it would dwindle down until the horse either quit doing them, or got anxious about it and did something else instead.

If I get a horse with a fantastic stop, and I use a different cue, or release out of time, my horse isn’t going to have a good stop for long.

Then factor in poorly fitting gear, difficult surfaces, a random work schedule, some junk food and badly fitting shoes, perhaps a dose anxiety or uncertainty, or lack of faith in the new “leader”, and suddenly we have a horse that has changed from the well mannered, reliably loading, easy to catch beast we MUST have.

Look at the gear, look at the diet, look at the housing and workload, the quality and quantity of work, and look in the mirror.

Rarely is the problem, the problem. The problem is a SYMPTOM of the actual problem. Which may be several small problems, culminating in one bigger SYMPTOM.

If you want a horse that’s great to load on the float, learn how to load horses on the float.

If you want a horse that’s great to catch, learn how to teach a horse to be caught.

If you want a horse with no “dirt”, learn what causes these behaviours and how to identify and diffuse the small sticky bits before they become symptoms of something much bigger.

Learn how to train it, so you can own it.

26/12/2022

I hope everyone has had wonderful Christmas and you’re enjoying this nicer weather heading into 2023.
We are heading into the Showgrounds on Monday 2nd, for some schooling and lessons. I am available after lunch if there is anyone wanting a new year lesson. PM me and we can see what we can arrange.

17/12/2022

Yay… it’s the holidays!! We currently have the time and space up here for another beautiful equine friend. We are available to:
- keep horses fit while you’re on holiday
- schooling
- help with loading issues
- ground work
- or just a safe place to holiday while you are away

Give me a message to see if we can help you out over the holiday period.

30/11/2022

Still have this little gem for sale. Beautiful 15” Bates dressage saddle. In very good condition. Interchangeable gullet.
$1200 ono

27/11/2022

Clever Reign staying out of the rain while mum is having dinner.

12/11/2022

Reign experienced her first thunderstorm ⛈ and some fairly torrential rain on her day number 6, so we took them inside for a warm-up and rest.

09/11/2022

These are our beautiful tack room and accommodation doors, built from scratch by Shane. If you’re needing something built from stables, farm sheds, a house, or just some renovations, give Shane a call on 027 4445404.

06/11/2022

Meet Reign. She finally arrived early Sunday morning. Lola is a great mum.

05/11/2022

28/10/2022

The beautiful Lola was due to foal on the 19th October. Waiting on our new baby to arrive some time very soon.

02/10/2022

Although the day started with plenty of drizzle… there are definite signs of spring 🌼 up here…

24/08/2022

The photograph is of a horse that was once named one of the 100 all time American heroes by Life Magazine.

Staff Sergeant Reckless (c. 1948 – May 13, 1968), was a decorated war horse who held official rank in the United States military.

For her exemplary service to the Marine Corps, Reckless was awarded two Purple Hearts (for the wounds received during the Battle of Vegas), a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation with bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Medal, a Navy Unit Commendation, and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

She was officially promoted to Staff Sergeant in 1959 by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

An American Marine gun crew during the Korean War bought the Mongolian bred mare with their own money and trained her to carry shells for the recoilless rifle they called ‘Reckless’.

They also named the mare ‘Reckless’, and she became their mascot and an indispensable member of their gun crew. Reckless often, under heavy fire, made countless trips delivering ammunition from the supply point to the gun. She would often do this alone.

The photograph on this post is of Reckless beside a 75mm recoilless rifle during the Korean War.

I have also read that Reckless completed 51 solo trips in a single day during the Battle for Outpost Vegas in 1953. The battle raged for 5 days and it is estimated that there were over 1,000 American casualties and twice that number of Chinese during the battle. It is regarded as one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history.

Reckless was also used to evacuate the wounded and was injured twice.

In recognition of her incredible war service, she was presented with a special citation for bravery by the Marines and promoted to Sergeant.

The Marines personally payed for her travel to the United States, where she enjoyed a well-earned retirement pastured at Camp Pendleton.

Reckless died in 1968. There are books about Sergeant Reckless.

Lest We Forget.

Photograph came from Wikipedia.

22/07/2022

We are looking for a paddock mate for Lola, who is in foal. Need something for at least the next few months. Let me know if you have anything… happy to discuss further.

11/07/2022

𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 & 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮

Get ready, the schedules for both the NISS & SISS Equestrian Championships are out on https://www.evoevents.co.nz/.

North Islandhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/EquestrianEntries/Schedules/NISS%20Schedule%202022%20Final.pdf

South Island…. incl Canterbury Interschools Dressage, Jumping and Showhunterhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/EquestrianEntries/Schedules/SISS%20Championships%202022%20Schedule%20Final%20.pdf

Take the time to read the schedule and conditions – these events are open to all year 7-13 students with team and individual prizes up for grabs.

Entries close 8th of August! 🦄

photo by: BWP Photography

29/03/2022