Farewells...

Last week was full of sad moments. I was happy to be back home and see WBP, but my trip was marred by receiving a call on my birthday to say that my horse, Rawdon, had dropped dead of a heart attack, aged 18. 

He had been away at a riding camp for the past eight weeks and from reports had been having a great time. During one of the treks he just dropped to his knees and within a minute was dead. I guess it was not a horribly bad way to go, but he was still fairly young and it was a terrible shock.

We also said goodbye to the last of our boer goats. We sold the remainder of our herd in order to focus on our other rare breeds, which have been more rewarding and less time consuming.

Summer Camp for Sir Rawdon...

Sir Rawdon is going off to Summer camp to help children learn how to ride. It will be fun for him to socialise with other horses and get some more exercise, but also will be great for the children. The summer camp is run by friends of ours, and is called Hikumutu.

"Hikumutu camps (originally Happy Valley) were founded in 1974, when teenager Val Murray had the dream of growing her own Christian horse-riding camps, giving youth nationwide an opportunity to enjoy real country riding and a loving Christian community. In 2001 Revs Val and Lance Riches moved the camps to their family farm to enjoy the bush, hills, rivers and mountain views of the King Country. The Hikumutu Lodge was established and the dream had become a legacy through the hard work and prayers of many…"

Photos and history from the Hikumutu website.

Tally Ho...

On Saturday I had a fantastic day. I went on my first NZ Hunt.

After finishing night shift at the hospital, We went out to Willowbrook. It had been the first cold night of Winter, with the temp going down to -5C. All the water troughs had a 1/4" of ice on the top of them...

but the twin kids born to Katie 2 days before were warm and well...

Katie with twin boy and girl kids just after giving birth on Thursday

After getting Rawdy groomed we set off to Te Miro, where the hunt was. It was a lovely drive up into the hills, only 20 miles from Willowbrook...

After getting all tacked up we surveyed the field, then had a stirrup cup with the master. The secretary was ever so welcoming and helpful in getting us ready.

Rawdy slipping on the icy mud

After all the frosts it turned out to be a lovely day...

I managed to jump the fence between the two white topped posts on the left of the photo. It was the first time Rawdy had jumped a wire fence.

As there are no foxes in New Zealand the hounds chase Hares as their quarry. There were 14 couples of hounds out that day. Unfortunately we didn't get any pics of them. They were very excited and 'gave tongue' loudly.

At the top of one of the hills - Rawdy starting to look a little wet after 2 hours of galloping about...

We covered some pretty awesome countryside, with lovely views, which Peter was able to enjoy from a 4 wheeler.

After 4 hours of hunting the field returned for the hunt breakfast and we made out way back to Willowbrook, with a very happy but tired horse in tow.

The Waikato Hunt

Angels on horseback...

Another small aside: Some photos of Rawdon and me doing our stuff. He is getting the hang of jumping slowly.

(Excuse the old Wellingtons)

When it all goes well it can be just like flying on horseback...

When it doesn't, well...

My lovely lovely lovely Horse...

We purchased a horse today, who is 11 years old, stands 16.2, and is named Silver because he is a gorgeous dark bay except for a silver diamond on his forehead. He is being re-homed from New Zealand's Motutapu Island, in the Hauraki gulf, because the department of conservation is having all non-native animals removed and is restoring it to a reserve. Below is a picture of the island:

More information can be found at:

http://www.motutapu.org.nz/

and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motutapu_Island

'My lovely lovely lovely horse', Copyright Channel 4, Father Ted



The most prestigious horse trials are the Badminton Trials. Badminton House is also famous, as it is one of the better English exampls of Carolingian architecture:


Willowbrook Park also has the local branch of Riding for the Disabled (RDANZ) near by. Please check out their website of all the good work that they do.