Kawatiri Quarter Horses

31/05/2026

Check out this post by the talented photographer Stephen Mowbray recalling his introduction to reining watching the legendary trainer Warren Backhouse aboard our very own superstar Rocin On The Ranch 🤩

31/05/2026

This popped up in my memories today, 15 years ago! Sailor (Kawatiris Cotton Sail) and Magic (Kawatiris Real Slick). I’m sure they still see each other at the rodeos, so need an updated photo 🦄

30/05/2026

Wow… what a journey we have had!
Obviously not a Kawatiri Quarter Horse but confirmation the love of horses is in my blood, long before me.
This superstar 5 year old bay mare Francent was bred by my Uncle Robert Higgins in Gods own, Westport. Now a Group 1 winner and NZ Harness Racing 4 Year Old Pacing Mare Of The Year she left our soil to continue her successes in Canada. Francent has won $292,000 from 29 starts comprising of 13 wins, 6 seconds and 3 thirds.
She was proudly raced by the Patsy Marie Syndicate made up of family members and guided by her breeder, Bob Higgins. She was trained out of Westport at Patterson Park before heading to Mark Jones Racing Stable in Christchurch.
Funnily enough Francent was sacked as a potential race horse with trainer Mark Jones saying “I liken it to a young girl from the country going off to boarding school and not liking it (laughter). So she did everything she could to be sent home.” So she did, she came home, Uncle Robert gave her the time she needed and the results followed.
Francent is a descendant of Red Queen that our great grandfather imported in 1940. Our families first racehorse was actually in 1900 but took a break between 1920-1940.
I’m so proud of my Uncle for keeping the family line going, giving us the opportunity to be part of his successes and bringing us all together to enjoy the celebrations 🏆🌟🔥🥇🍀🥂
And guess what, as we tend to do… there is more in the paddock where that one came from!

08/05/2026

‘Rose’ (Kawatiris Rose Girl) made it through to the finals with Andrew Jamison and was nominee for 2025 Head Horse of the Year! By Who Whiz Da Man x Peptos Rosa 🌹

07/05/2026

‘Arnie’ (Sierra Negro) by Sierra Isa Via out of San O’Lita. Arnie was the first stallion we stood and he sired many successful horses across the disciplines. He also done countless movies and was broken to harness.

07/05/2026

‘Hammer’ (Kawatiris Spin N Roc) by Rocin On The Ranch out of Peptos Rosa. This is just the coolest wee horse, now a cracking team roping horse owned by my son Leroy under the guidance of his skilful father and national champion Wayne McCormack. Hammer is also a success western performance horse and film horse 🤩

07/05/2026

‘Chic’ (Kawatiris Roc Chic) by my heart horse Rocin On The Ranch imported from Australia out of Kawatiris Wimpy Chic. Chic is such a sweet mare who with the guidance of her owner Melissa Pateman now ropes, barrel racing and helps out in a riding school. What a superstar mare and the dam of my very own, Kawatiris Whiz N Roc 🥰

07/05/2026

07/05/2026