8
May 2013
Introducing new generations to the equestrian lifestyle by Andy Bryenton
“I’m very lucky,” says Liz Thomas, chief coach and instructor at Canterbury’s Kowhai Residential School of Riding. “So many people would love to swap their office for mine, any day!”
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And it’s easy to see why. The picturesque farm and equestrian destination is situated in rolling hill country which epitomises rural New Zealand — a slice of the ‘clean green paradise’ which tourists pay to come here and experience. Add to this stunning backdrop a family endeavour which aims to introduce the love of all things equestrian to those who would otherwise miss out, and you have a match made in horse lovers’ heaven.
Liz grew up in a farming family, and has been involved with horses from a young age. She rode a pony to school, like many rural Kiwi kids of her generation, but her dedication didn’t end there. At the age of 14, not knowing that New Zealand already hosted an official pony club organisation, she took it upon herself to write to one of the oldest established pony clubs in the world, in the United kingdom, for information on starting her own club.
“They didn’t know that they were talking to a 14-yearold,” she says — but they were forthcoming with a wealth of knowledge. It was from seeds like these that the concept of Kowhai was born, growing and burgeoning to become what it is today. Looking at where the Kowhai Residential School (and close friends and affiliates the View Hill Pony Club) is in 2013, it’s hard to believe that in 1969 this vista of fields and
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The team at Kowhai are proud to introduce novice riders to the world of equestrian — including foreign visitors and city kids who may never even have seen a ‘real live horse’ before
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facilities was gorse and scrub. A lot of hard work has gone into transforming it into a 90 horse working farm and riding school, but the rewards far outweigh the labour. “One girl first came here at the age of six — and she still rides with us today at age 40,” says Liz. “People form a bond with their horses, and many of our folks have gone on into farming vocations — dairying, equine care, veterinary medicine and more.” One of the major aims of Kowhai is to introduce city kids to the Kiwi countryside, and give them their first taste of horse riding. As well as trekking and enjoying time with the animals, guests pitch in with grooming, caring for tack and all aspects of equine care — a more holistic approach which shows them just what it means to work in partnership with these magnificent animals. Local farmers have proven great allies in the growth of the farm and school.
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