The Clydesdale Book

The Clydesdale Book Behind the Reins: The story of the DB Clydesdales and a Kiwi family. Email us today to purchase your copy.

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‘Behind the Reins’ is the never before told story of a true New Zealand icon and the family behind it. The DB Clydesdales forged their fame as ambassadors for one of New Zealand's largest breweries but their popularity and appeal ultimately spread far beyond beer marketing and into the hearts of every New Zealander. The book weaves together a selection of anecdotes from the life of Nick van der Sa

nde and his family and their career managing the famous DB Clydesdale horses. From retellings of events to animal and human character studies, these stories are guaranteed to stimulate feelings of awe, sadness, humour and great happiness. Illustrated with a host of scenic photography, this book is a 'must-read' for anyone that admired the DB Clydesdales, or has love for equines, photography or New Zealand history in general.

02/09/2024

Lovely footage!

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going dow...
24/04/2024

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.” 🌺

~ Laurence Binyon.

29/03/2024

A mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at Scotland's iconic Kelpies structures today to celebrate the forthcoming 10th anniversary of the artworks

𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥

🏆  Good luck to everyone heading to Land Rover Horse of the Year this week! Have an absolute blast!💥 Here’s a flashback ...
05/03/2024

🏆 Good luck to everyone heading to Land Rover Horse of the Year this week! Have an absolute blast!

💥 Here’s a flashback of our Clydesdales on display in the Main Arena a few years back. What a fabulous event to be involved with!

🇳🇿 What a perfect piece to celebrate Waitangi Day.‘The Land Of Milk And Honey’We absolutely love this amazing artwork by...
05/02/2024

🇳🇿 What a perfect piece to celebrate Waitangi Day.

‘The Land Of Milk And Honey’

We absolutely love this amazing artwork by Jo from Paint And Pony depicting our team of Clydesdales in the dart river valley, Glenorchy. 🏔️

This is one of our all time favourite photos of the team and the story behind the photo can be read in our book, Behind the Reins. Copies still available.

🇳🇿 Have a wonderful day everyone!

27/01/2024

Nick and Jill spent valuable time sharing their harness knowledge at Tinwald Farm, Cromwell, this week. Here they are putting a pair of Clydesdales to a Wagonette for the first time.

💝 Merry Christmas to our wonderful friends, followers and readers. We hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday per...
24/12/2023

💝 Merry Christmas to our wonderful friends, followers and readers. We hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday period with many of you finding a copy of ‘Behind the Reins’ under your Christmas tree! 🎄

🎅 DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR NOMINATION IN FOR OUR BOOK GIVEAWAY 🤶 Winner announced tomorrow! 🎁 We’re in the spirit of giv...
16/12/2023

🎅 DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR NOMINATION IN FOR OUR BOOK GIVEAWAY 🤶 Winner announced tomorrow!

🎁 We’re in the spirit of giving this season, and while we are so grateful to those who have purchased and enjoyed our book so far, we realise not everyone is in the position to purchase this Christmas.

✨ So we’d like to make Christmas a little more special for someone deserving this year. ✨

📕 We’re giving away a FREE signed copy of ‘Behind the Reins’ to one very deserving person (or family) this Christmas. Furthermore, we’ve saved one last Clydesdale Christmas tree decoration to give away too! 🎄

🗣️ We’re asking YOU to nominate someone extra deserving this Christmas, someone that’s had a particularly rough year, a person that would love to read this book but is not in a position to spend on themselves.

🙏 We’re asking you to be GENUINE in your nominations (please!) and tell us why this special person (or family) deserves this special gift. The nomination we feel is most deserving will receive a free book. The nominator can choose whether to keep the decoration to themselves or pass on.

🎉 Winner announced on Monday 18th of December (tomorrow!).

🎅 CLYDESDALE BOOK GIVEAWAY 🤶 🎁 We’re in the spirit of giving this season, and while we are so grateful to those who have...
15/12/2023

🎅 CLYDESDALE BOOK GIVEAWAY 🤶

🎁 We’re in the spirit of giving this season, and while we are so grateful to those who have purchased and enjoyed our book so far, we realise not everyone is in the position to purchase this Christmas.

✨ So we’d like to make Christmas a little more special for someone deserving this year. ✨

📕 We’re giving away a FREE signed copy of ‘Behind the Reins’ to one very deserving person (or family) this Christmas. Furthermore, we’ve saved one last Clydesdale Christmas tree decoration to give away too! 🎄

🗣️ We’re asking YOU to nominate someone extra deserving this Christmas, someone that’s had a particularly rough year, a person that would love to read this book but is not in a position to spend on themselves.

🙏 We’re asking you to be GENUINE in your nominations (please!) and tell us why this special person (or family) deserves this special gift. The nomination we feel is most deserving will receive a free book. The nominator can choose whether to keep the decoration to themselves or pass on.

🎉 Winner announced on Monday 18th of December.

DECORATIONS ARE NOW SOLD OUT!! Sorry everyone. 🎁 The last of our books are flying out the door for Christmas. 🎄 Don’t mi...
12/12/2023

DECORATIONS ARE NOW SOLD OUT!! Sorry everyone.

🎁 The last of our books are flying out the door for Christmas. 🎄 Don’t miss out on your copy - there are limited copies left. Every order before Christmas receives a Clydesdale Christmas tree decoration*. 🐴 What a beautiful Christmas gift to yourself or a friend!

📥 Message us for your copy today!

*while stock lasts.

DECORATIONS ARE NOW SOLD OUT!! Sorry everyone! 🎅 Behind the Reins is the perfect Christmas gift for any equine lover, hi...
04/12/2023

DECORATIONS ARE NOW SOLD OUT!! Sorry everyone!

🎅 Behind the Reins is the perfect Christmas gift for any equine lover, history enthusiast, or those who loved seeing the famous DB Clydesdales.

Order your copy before Christmas and receive a FREE Clydesdale felt decoration while stock lasts!

📧 Message us today for your copy.

🌚 Here's your chance to grab your very own copy of 'Behind the Reins' at a special Black Friday price! 🌚 📨 Email us for ...
16/11/2023

🌚 Here's your chance to grab your very own copy of 'Behind the Reins' at a special Black Friday price! 🌚

📨 Email us for your copy today!

⏰ Sale ends Friday 24th of November.

🏆 This week we remember our time spent at the The New Zealand Agricultural Show. Every year our Clydesdale Team would be...
15/11/2023

🏆 This week we remember our time spent at the The New Zealand Agricultural Show. Every year our Clydesdale Team would be on display at the Show and also Addington Cup Week at Addington Raceway. These events were key highlights in the DB Clydesdales' annual calendar and the big horses were always a major hit for event attendees. ✨

📘 Read about the many race meetings & A&P show appearances in our book, 'Behind the Reins'. Contact us for your copy.

💥 Here’s your chance to WIN a copy of our book 📕 plus you’re supporting a great cause! 🐴
05/11/2023

💥 Here’s your chance to WIN a copy of our book 📕 plus you’re supporting a great cause! 🐴

Kicking off a Fri-yay in style 😎

Win your self a copy of The Wilson Sisters Horse & pony guide AND a signed copy of The Clydesdale Book Behind the Reins!

Want to get you hands on these stunning books.
All you have to do is like our page & comment below ⏬ it's that easy!! (We would appreciate a share, but not a comp condition ☺)

This comp starts now & will end in 1 week at 7pm on the 10th of November 2023.

Winner will be contacted 11th November 2023 and winner may collect the prize at the The New Zealand Agricultural Show 15-17 November 2023 or we will post to winner after the show.(will post to NZ address only)

You guys no the drill, This is our only page so do not accept friend requests via scam pages! We will never ask for personal details.

These 2 items where kindly donated by one of our members. This post is no way affiliated with or by Facebook.

(Rare Horse Society of New Zealand original book comp posted 4.44pm on Friday 3 November 2023.)

Edited to say spam pages have popped up 😡, we will ONLY comment 1 winner on the 11th November 2023.

Please support the Rare Horse Society of New Zealand and purchase your signed copy of Behind the Reins at the The New Ze...
29/10/2023

Please support the Rare Horse Society of New Zealand and purchase your signed copy of Behind the Reins at the The New Zealand Agricultural Show! 🐴

Straight from the horses mouth. Gordy approving one of our members signed copy of Behind the reins. He thought it was fantastic one of the stories he was read out of the book!

We can't thank The Clydesdale Book enough for signing these copies for us and thank you for those who pre ordered and collected over Otago Equine Expo + it's an amazing opportunity to fundraise as a percentage of each signed book goes to the Rare Horse Society of New Zealand

A small handful of signed books are still available so get in touch. Pre order now , you can save on postage too if your able to collect during our next event at The New Zealand Agricultural Show in November.

✨ What a fantastic opportunity to support the rare breeds of NZ and Rare Horse Society of New Zealand ✨ Please follow th...
30/09/2023

✨ What a fantastic opportunity to support the rare breeds of NZ and Rare Horse Society of New Zealand ✨ Please follow their page for details and head along to the Otago Equine Expo + to get your signed copy of our book, Behind the Reins! 📕

🐴 The Clydesdale horse is recognised as a ‘vulnerable’ breed worldwide, so it’s important to continue to support this majestic breed that played such a large part in the making of this country. 💙

Do you want to get your hands on a signed copy of Behind the Reins.
Well thanks to The Clydesdale Book nows your chance!

If your coming to the Otago Equine Expo + you are first in line to pre order your own copy of, The Clydesdale book Behind the Reins -The story of the DB Clydesdales and a kiwi family.

Must pick up from the Rare Breed Horse Display @ Otago Equine Expo +

Limited signed copies.

Message us to pre - order to secure your copy these won't last long and this is a great way to surport us, as a percentage of the book sales goes to the society . If you still want a book but cant collect message us to go on the waiting list for after this weekend.

✨ The brand new DB Clydesdale Team in all their finery step out for their first official outing at Karaka, 1986. Can you...
29/09/2023

✨ The brand new DB Clydesdale Team in all their finery step out for their first official outing at Karaka, 1986. Can you image what a task it had been to put this new team together in such a short time?

The horses had been sourced from all parts of New Zealand and had to be closely matched in size, colour and temperament. This was not an easy task by any means!

📧 Email us to get your copy of 'Behind the Reins' and read how Nick and his small team of staff managed to turn this bunch of retired farm horses, unbroken newbies and out-and-out bolters into a six-horse world-class brewery team in less than 12 months.

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Our Story

Our Clydesdale horses have become a national icon, and are extremely well known for their years working in the public spotlight for DB Breweries. These days the Clydesdales are available for a wide range of public events including weddings, street parades, A&P Shows and VIP Events.


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