Classical Equestrian Centre of New Zealand

25/04/2025

🌺 ANZAC Day – Lest We Forget

Today, we pause to remember and honour the courage, service, and sacrifice of all those who served — and continue to serve — in times of war, conflict, and peace.

We also remember the many horses who carried soldiers, supplies, and hope through unimaginable conditions. Their loyalty and strength will never be forgotten.

From our Pony Club whānau across Aotearoa, we reflect on the values of respect, responsibility, and care — values that unite us, both in and out of the saddle.

We will remember them

!

24/04/2025

Awesome 😎

23/04/2025

I'm so proud of this amazing young woman Morgan 🥰
Her journey is so inspiring, and a wonderful role model for all equestrians.
Well done Morgan 💖
Her beautiful mumma and family I've known since my late teens, her grandfather was like a dad to me 🤗
I've followed Morgan's growth since she was born and am absolutely amazed with what she has achieved and overcome 💖

19/04/2025

Happy Easter 🐰

A gift of kindness from Ms Mature 😘

18/04/2025

There's meant to be a cyclone on it's way, so yesterday I brought the crew down off the hill onto the flat, changed rugs for the impending storm, separated the crew to paddocks of appropriate grass levels for their conditions ... And today it's just overcast, so still with a quiet airy feeling to the atmosphere!
The big girls are sporting their new pj's from Zeberdee Equine.

And if you know my crew ... Yes there's an extra one 😅 will introduce her next week.
She's only with Elzira over the weekend as Elzira the one to win over in order to be accepted into the herd. With it a long weekend (Easter) it's the perfect time to let these 2 ladies get to know each other.

17/04/2025

Remember when traveling to many countries, there are no animal welfare laws 🙁
Recently I read that Booking.com has ceased traveler booking of camels through their website to see the pyramids, as a stand against animal exploitation.

**Woman, who was later arrested, attacks man who was whipping donkey**
A woman has been arrested after being filmed attacking a man for beating his donkey in Egypt.

Joke van der Post, a Dutch expatriate, was recorded running towards the donkey's owner, striking him multiple times before pursuing him with a whip.

Prior to her intervention, the donkey was seen kicking in distress as it was struck by its handler near Cairo.

This incident incited an enraged Ms. van der Post to confront the man, pushing him against a wall and exclaiming, “Do you think this is acceptable? You worthless individual.”

Ms. van der Post, who operates a veterinary clinic known as the Good Karma Sanctuary in Cairo, subsequently seized a whip from another handler and chased the man down a filthy road.

Authorities later apprehended Ms. van der Post before subsequently releasing her. The animal handler was also taken into custody, as reported by Egypt’s interior ministry. He had lodged a complaint against Ms. van der Post, alleging that she caused him “psychological harm.”

In an interview with NOS, a Dutch news organization, the veterinarian stated that animal cruelty is prevalent in Cairo, where she has resided with her Egyptian husband for several years.

“When I yelled for him to stop, I was insulted and the man laughed before striking harder,” she recounted.

Ms. van der Post expressed concern that the incident might result in her facing an extended prison sentence or even deportation, but she maintained that it was “worth it.”

She conveyed to NOS: “I could potentially face six months to a year in prison, or perhaps even deportation. However, if it leads to meaningful change here, it is worth the risk.”

Her veterinary practice focuses on the care of horses, donkeys, and mules, frequently treating them for injuries and skin ailments. She is a strong proponent of animal welfare and has previously campaigned against cruelty towards animals in Egypt.

The Good Karma Sanctuary later addressed the viral video, stating that it was “fitting” to introduce themselves alongside footage of Ms. van der Post petting a horse named Einstein.

They remarked: “At Good Karma Sanctuary, we aim to reduce the suffering of working animals at the Giza pyramids by providing education, offering free veterinary care around the clock, and rescuing those fortunate enough to be saved.”

What would you have done in her position?

12/04/2025

A memory I had written on my personal page.
I'm sharing this not for sympathy, I'm sharing as a reminder to us all, we can survive the darkness.
My gosh it's unbelievably hard, extremely painful to endure, and you cannot do it alone.
You need people in your corner, to help you when you can't help yourself.
I would lock myself in my lil house for days on my weekends, only going outside to tend to my animals, not even showering myself. Writing myself off with alcohol and opioids till I made myself numb and unconscious to have reprieve from the emotional and mental pain.

We hear about the pain a person must have been in to commit su***de ... What we don't hear about is the loved one that found them!
That had to tend to them, do the phone calls, and the cleaning up.
What I learned, is there's nothing available for us, no emotional help, and absolutely no financial help. You're just left, by yourself, like nothing has happened.
But it has!

This post is my reminder of when I had hit the bottom of living life. I was going to fold accepting the defeat of grief ... emotionally, mentally, spiritually and financially.
My gosh I remember I was so tired of living.

I left my job with only 3 weeks pay.
With the mortgage, 2 bank loans and a finance loan ... He left me with so much debt to pay on just my pub job income, with lawyers fees and his estate making financial claim on my property (still ongoing) ... there's no help for spouse su***de survival!

I have no idea how in those 3 weeks of accepting to lose everything, my home, property, horses and animals ... that I made it! 💖

And to the trolls who tried so hard to break me, discredit me, phoning my workplace, phoning my boss, messaging people who were helping me, trolling the pages of people openly giving me love and support ... You almost did achieve your goal of destroying me!
What you didn't count on was the strength of those who were in my corner ✊

I'd like to say I'm all good now, I'm not, not sure I'll ever fully heal.
Though what I do is each day when I wake up, I get up and remind myself I get to live another day, so live it!
I know the pain of grief, I first learned the reality when I was 6 years old.
I will live the life I'm to live, and when the universe chooses it's my time to go, I shall do with love 💕

11/04/2025

Ms Mature riding Fern with plastic champagne glasses half filled with water 💦

An exercise my teacher Marji Armstrong whom I worked with for almost a decade would have us do!
Whether we rode in the snaffle, double or curb bridles, one or two handed riding, basic to Grand Prix performing all movements and gaits ... We rode with the glasses of water.

It's an absolutely brilliant exercise to learn how the rider must move their pelvis and spine with the horses movement
Balance of the hands
And lightness of contact

Personally I spent years literally everyday I could practicing this. I originally started this exercise 20 years ago when I was riding a 'hot' Warmblood x Arab, he got used to getting wet and I got used to riding with a wet crouch 🤣 until I mastered it!

10/04/2025

I have no idea what Bella was trying to do here? 🤦
Considering her cover was hanging on the rails!

Looking like a toddler trying to dress themselves for the first time 😅

10/04/2025

Another day of my lunchtime cut short!
The team clearly lets me know they're ready for their afternoon tea and hay before the after school sessions start! 😅