VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR JOS GRESHAM Article by Frankie Webb
“Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” This is so true of the Dressage New Zealand volunteer of the year Jos Gresham. Due to a serious riding accident in the UK and soundness issues with her last horse Jos had no choice but to hang up her boots but not her passion for horses. “I was never really a competitive rider,” said Jos, who grew up on the family’s Rangitikei farm. “I joined Rangitikei Pony Club when I was 7, I hunted and I loved every minute of it.” In 1978 Jos headed off on her big OE. Nearly three decades later she returned to New Zealand, with a husband and two daughters. “I had bought a horse in England, the seller forgot to tell me it couldn’t cope with any leg pressure,” Jos recalls. When the inevitable happened, Jos broke her hip and smashed her confidence. It wasn’t until she returned to New Zealand in 2007, with a husband and two daughters, she reacquainted herself with horses when they bought a lifestyle block in Bulls and her daughter took up riding. Jos joined Central Districts Dressage group. “I believe the most important thing is to enjoy what you do, I wasn’t great at dressage but I really loved it,” she said. Sadly her horse developed soundness issues, her daughter moved onto other interests and Jos now has, what she describes as “two paddock ornaments”,
living out their days on the farm. Horseless but with a real passion for all things equestrian, Jos offered her services to CD dressage. She was appointed stabling manager for a forthcoming event. It was soon evident she was a stabling manager extraordinaire with incredible organizational skills and a great manner in dealing with the challenges a stabling manager has to face. “I thoroughly enjoy doing the stabling,” she said. “I have met so many people I would have never rubbed shoulders with.” She would love to see more volunteer riders, especially young riders, and their connections. “They often have hours between classes, they would seriously get a lot out of just giving a little of their time.” Jos was surprised and humbled to be recognised as Volunteer of the Year. “There are many wonderful volunteers in this sport, I want to say a huge thank you,” she said. “This award could have gone to any one of them.” AllinFlex Accolades recognize the huge contribution volunteers make to our sport. Area Dressage groups from throughout NZ nominated a volunteer who makes a difference in their area. All Area nominees
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and the Volunteer of the Year received AllinFlex product prizes and lapel pin Dressage NZ owes much to the volunteers in our community. Thank you all, and we look forward to seeing you again in the new season. ALLINFLEX AREA VOLUNTEER WINNERS Northland Colin & Julie Finlayson Waitemata Rebecca Wilson Akld-Manukau Shirley Watts Waikato Michelle Paterson Bay of Plenty Ann Smith Nth Hawkes Bay Rae West Sth Hawkes Bay Wendy Jeffery Central Districts Jos Gresham Taihape Jenny Pearce Taranaki Clare Norton Wairarapa Ann Webster Wellington Jos Gresham Nelson Helen Trotman Marlborough Sharon Inwood Canterbury Melanie van der Pol SCNO Anita Fitt Otago Alice Lloyd-Fitt Southland Rowena Smith