covershot
In safe surrounds at Alta Dream Lodge, Waiau Pa, broodmare Willowbrook keeps a close eye on her young offspring which finally has a name! After appealing to readers to help name the colt, owner Brian Neben, publisher of Rural Living, received a deluge of ingenious suggestions which were still coming in as the magazine went to print. After much debate, Brian eventually chose a winner. The colt’s new name is revealed on page 8. Photo Wayne Martin
From the editor... Hi everyone, The first month of 2014 has flashed by unbelievably fast. One minute I was welcoming in the New Year, next I’m back in the office saddle. Then, suddenly, I’m putting to bed our second edition of the year and thinking 10 to go! How time gallops by. But I do hope the traditional break saw some of you enjoying celebrations with family and friends and having, at the very least, some relief from chores on the farm. But, now, it’s time to get back to the nitty-gritty of school and work. You will have noticed that this month we again have an equine cover – I make no apologies for showcasing Willowbrook and her offspring, owned by Rural Living’s publisher Brian Neben. In all the excitement of choosing a name for the colt – our competition attracted
so many inspired suggestions – I just couldn’t resist giving you an opportunity to admire our ‘baby’ and his mum. See Brian’s column page 8 for the foal’s new name and the fun this competition generated. In the second of our threepart focus on various aspects of the equine industry we chat Over the Gate with Dame Wendy Pye who is as well known in horse racing circles as she is in the literary arena. Local trainer Geoff Small talks about his career training harness racing winners and, of course, at the end of January we enter the Year of the Horse so, it is apt that we should look at the traits of those born under this Chinese zodiac symbol. Are you a ‘horse’ and are you a character match? See page 20. This month the new weed report debuts and we look ahead to the Franklin A&P Show, polo at Clevedon and
some great Counties Racing Club events. Bumpkin Banter’s back too but I’d love to see more readers sending in some anecdotes and observations of rural life – short snippets that will amuse and highlight the joys and vagaries of living in the country or on its verge. Come on folks, I’m sure those animal moments or the antics of farming families would make a lively tale or two. But for now it’s onwards and upwards – Rural Living is set for another great year, I hope you are too, Cheers
Helen Perry Editor
inside RURAL A Publication of Times House Publishing Ltd
Freephone: 0800 456 789 www.ruralliving.co.nz info@ruralliving.co.nz
Editor: Helen Perry DDI 09 271 8036 Email: editor@ruralliving.co.nz Sales: Kate Ockelford-Green DDI 09 271 8090 Email: kate@ruralliving.co.nz Gina McNeill DDI 09 271 8020 Email: gina@ruralliving.co.nz Caroline Boe DDI 09 271 8091 Email: caroline@ruralliving.co.nz Art Director: Clare McGillivray DDI 09 271 8067, Fax: 09 271 8071 Email: clare@ruralliving.co.nz Manager: Karla Wairau DDI 09 271 8083, Fax: 09 271 8099 karla@timeshouse.co.nz Publisher: Brian Neben 50 Stonedon Dr, East Tamaki, AKLD PO Box 259-243, Botany, Auckland 2163 Ph: 09 271 8080, Fax: 09 271 8099 DISCLAIMER: Articles published in Rural Living do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or editor. All material is provided as a general information service only. Times House Publishing Ltd does not assume or accept any responsibility for, and shall not be liable for, the accuracy or appropriate application of any information in this newspaper. All the material in this newspaper has the protection of international copyright. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Times House Publishing Ltd.
Page 6 Rustling up thieves
Page 8 Brian’s Diary – a country lad’s perspective
Page 9 Over the Gate with Dame Wendy Pye
Page 10 Rural careers encouraged
Page 12 On the farm this month
Page 13
Reay’s garden flourishes – page 24
Page 19
Page 26-27
Franklin A&P Show local ‘Big Day Out’
Young gymnast aims to floor judges
Regular Weed Report debuts
Page 21
Page 28
Page 15
Pest control – putting the sting on wasps
Rural garden in ‘heroic’ lineup
Geoff Small – gets training on track
Page 16 NZ Bloodstock sales to parade the best
Page 18 Clevedon swings into action for the polo
4 — Rural Living — January - February 2014
Living Page 22 Prizes up for grabs
Page 23 Blues physio opts for green living
Page 33 Additional living spaces from StudioXtra
Page 39 BMW X5 displays off road excellence
Page 40 SsangYong – all in a day’s work