Stallion Challenges by Wilson Kelly

Author:Wilson, Kelly [Kelly Wilson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781775538356
Publisher: Random House New Zealand
Published: 2015-10-02T04:00:00+00:00

Anzac bowing with Mouse.

WITH ONLY A MONTH TO GO until Equidays, the horses were given a diverse combination of schooling and adventures. The arena was their classroom, and every time we schooled them it was important that they learnt something new or improved in some way. Since formal schooling was foreign to the Kaimanawas, we made sure that these lessons were enjoyable — as soon as anything got too repetitive, the horses, like little kids at school, switched off and become bored, especially Argo who, at only three years old, had a baby brain and got distracted easily.

Very rarely did the Kaimanawas get more than 25 minutes of arena work, and no more than a couple of times a week. The rest of the time we took them on adventures: the beach, forest, river and farm were their playground. During these rides our sole purpose was to have fun; they were always ridden on the buckle (with very loose reins) and we never expected them to learn new things. It was an opportunity for the horses to mentally and physically relax, explore and simply enjoy life. The basics were non-negotiable, of course — they were expected to go in straight lines at the correct speed, for example, but apart from that they were simply allowed to be horses and this kept them engaged and happy. We’ve always done the same with our showjumpers — they work on the arena a couple of times each week and have equal amounts of playtime. The fun stuff keeps them fit and fresh, and it’s hugely beneficial in the competition arena to have horses that are switched on and enjoying life rather than shut down and going through the motions.

The final thing the Kaimanawas needed to experience before Equidays was large crowds, so we organised a launch for my first book, For the Love of Horses, which was due out in bookstores in early October. The weather on launch day was miserable, but in between the wind and rain we enjoyed some clear blue skies and the horses behaved well. With objects blowing in every direction and hundreds of people watching, it really was a worst-case scenario for the horses; and, although it wasn’t ideal conditions for the gathered public, it did set the horses up well for the Stallion Challenges. After that they would be ready for anything!

Argo was a star, working at liberty through all his paces and then jumping over a small wall — to say that people were impressed would be an understatement. Anzac was also sweet and willing, and walked and trotted with Mouse and bowed for the crowd. When it was my turn to ride him, we started well but, partway through our workout, a gust of wind blew all the jumps over and gave both of us a fright. Anzac was quick to settle, though, and worked bareback and bridleless although it took a little effort — he was much more interested in eating the grass!

Nikau also

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