On Top Equestrian

Busy day up teaching a lovely bunch of Rangi Ruru Equestrian girls at Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch today. Great to see how much they all improved and persevered in such a horrible, freezing wind! 🥶

What’s the best thing about coming to school at Rangi Ruru- how about leaving the classroom to train all day with your pony and team mates, preparing for the SISS Equestrian Cup? That’s how 30 of our riders spent today, training and preparing for their next interschool competition. Well done all who took part and special thanks to our coaches, parents and caregivers who made this day happen 🫶

The Dressage NZ awards night was held recently up in Christchurch. It was a great evening to catch up with everyone and celebrate all the achievements throughout the year. It was especially good to recognise the stellar season of two of my super sponsored riders, Sandy Houston & Cindy Wiffen - so proud of you guys 🤩👏🙌
I also got the pleasure of presenting the Prestige Futures Award to Mikayla Wildermoth. We caught up the week before and fitted her and her lovely Advanced horse into the Prestige Brilliante dressage saddle, built on the gold-medal🏅winning tree technology of the AS-X tree. This revolutionary tree has the ability to move with the horse's back, giving huge freedom of movement for the horse and an amazing feel and feedback through your seat to the rider 👌
I was very humbled to win the Vivant Equi Volunteer of the Year award. Huge credit goes to the super team of friends around me at the Ashburton Dressage Group
💞

When we feel like we need to get stronger with our aids, it is usually worth asking whether the horse really needs more pressure or whether we need to be a little clearer, a little quieter, or a little better with our timing.

A well-timed aid does not have to be big. A consistent aid helps the horse feel secure. A precise aid gives the horse a fair chance to answer.

Horses are so generous when they understand what we are asking.

Get in quick for a spot...best therapy rugs on the market and used by a lot of the top riders worldwide 🌏 A stable favourite of mine; great for warming up the horse before work, as well as post-ride or an hour rehabilitation.

⭐️ NEW ZEALAND TOUR! ⭐️

We are on the road in NZ in June/July! Our team will be roadtripping, and this is your chance to see our products in person!

🔴 See and try the Activo-Med system in person
🔴 Have your products delivered with in-person training (pre-order available now)
🔴 Get your own horses’ feedback!
🔴 Ask ALL of your questions

This doesn’t happen often; so book in fast.

Itinerary to be built around areas of interest. If you, or your friends are keen, DM us and we will do our best! Both North and South Island coverage.

Bringing 18+ years of experience in Activo-Med - the best opportunity to try for yourself.

And yes….. tour specials ✅✅✅

Quite pleased with this patch up. My trusty long boots have had a lot of hours work and needed a birthday.

💡 My top tip for the week...anyone with a calfskin lined saddle, ensure your boots/chaps don't have holes or rough patches as this will destroy your beautiful calf-lined saddle flap super quick! 💡

Couldn't be more proud of one of my superstar sponsored riders Jessica H**e being selected to wear the Silver Fern 🥝🇳🇿 in Australia.
What an achievement on a horse she has trained herself, Beaumont Casanova...and he definitely has his quirks! It has been so awesome to follow the two of them as they have progressed up the heights and am super excited to cheer you on on the next adventure 🦘
Beaumont Station Sport Horses

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗝𝗨𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 - 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱
ESNZ is pleased to announce the 2026 Jumping Trans Tasman Tour Squad that will compete in the Senior and Young Rider Trans-Tasman Test Series to be held In Australia across two events in August and September 2026.
• 2025 Waratah CSI1*-W – Sydney, NSW | 20th – 23rd August
• 2025 4CYTE Jumping@Willinga CSI1*-W – Bawley Point, NSW | 10th – 13th September

There are two competitions prior to the first test that athletes will use as warm up events.
The final teams of four will be named the week of each competition.

Congratulations to the two squads and their connections
Click 👇to view the full squad
https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2026/05/jumping-trans-tasman-tour-squads-named/

Great coaching workshop tonight on mental skills for young athletes and helping youth athletes thrive.
Some super great wee nuggets I can't wait to implement; not only for my riders but for my own training.
Definitely blew off a few cobwebs and remembered my learnings from Neurobiology papers back at University 👩‍🎓

Flying visit up to Auckland today to meet the lovely ladies from Ruiz Diaz Saddles that manufacture and fit the Pessoa, Trainers & PDS saddles. Super to see all the new models, looking forward to getting some down soon to have a play with. Some cracker jump saddles coming out 👏 Great to catch up with other saddlers from round NZ. As always a fun time and far too much chatting with Stephanie Bullock, chief chauffeur, managing Auckland traffic like a champ.
Stephanie Bullock Saddle Fitter