(Also posted in the H/J forum) I know its the middle of the night there but anyone know anything about horse breeding in New Zealand?
I know the NZ thoroughbred is second to none in performance. But are there breeders of crossbreds, “NZ warmbloods” and the like? And where are they?
South Island or North Island - which produces better - hardier horses?
Thanks in advance
I’ll play.
yes there are lots of us out there. The North Island tends to have more breeders but that is because there is a much bigger population in the north island.
Not sure what you mean by hardy? 99.9% of our horses are raised outside in large pastures so I think they are all hardy. Now if they are situated in the south they might have to deal with some snow, does that make them hardier? Up in the north here we’re contenting with a drought.
[QUOTE=DbHanoverian;7493952]
I’ll play.
yes there are lots of us out there. The North Island tends to have more breeders but that is because there is a much bigger population in the north island.
Not sure what you mean by hardy? 99.9% of our horses are raised outside in large pastures so I think they are all hardy. Now if they are situated in the south they might have to deal with some snow, does that make them hardier? Up in the north here we’re contenting with a drought.[/QUOTE]
Oh Thx for your comments!! By hardy I mean just that - strong feet, legs, good bone. Raised in a hilly area on good pasture is a plus! Snow not a matter to me.
Could you kindly list here or PM me (if you prefer) with the names of reputable breeders you would suggest?
TB, TB cross, Irish Draught, warmblood or other sport horses
Again Thx in advance
I’m curious - are you thinking of a horse shopping trip?
In NZ you can find many different sporthorse breeds, from imported European lines to QHs to arabs to the ever popular “stationbred” (a horse bred on a station, usually a mix of TB, Clyde or Shire, possibly WB or arab mixed in as well.) Stationbreds are extremely popular as they have a reputation for being tough, fairly easy going and athletic. Usually they are left on the hills and pretty much unhandled until they are ready to be broken in. Of course the quality varies hugely – some stations have great reputations for their stock and do a great job, others have poor quality breeding stock and are very rough and ready . I currently own an “East Coast Special” – all I know of his breeding is that he’s from the East Coast of the North Island.
I think NZ horses are pretty hardy – not sure if one island would be more or less than the others. The majority live outside 24-7.
Warmbloods and other breeds are becoming more popular, but what you have to keep in mind is that NZ is a small country (4 million people) and a long way from anywhere. This also means that upper level riders tend to end up in Europe to live and compete.
Funnily enough we’ve just had the NZ Horse of the Year show – the dressage title was taken out by a “NZ warmblood” – Ainthrey Highlander. He’s a Clydesdale TB cross, who has also competed to around 1.35m show jumping.
If you want to get an idea of what is available in NZ have a look on www.trademe.co.nz (Sports/Equestrian section) – it has the bulk of sales ads on it. Of course many horses are sold by word of mouth or directly from the breeders pages.
Feliz - Thx so much for that Trademe link - there are lots of websites I’ve looked at but this one seems pretty complete, as you stated.
I know in NZ “word of mouth” is most effective. Have a close Aussie friend who will be visiting North and South on shopping trips. I may go with, on one trip, if I can get the travel time from here in the states.
And yes the “stationbred” has a great reputation as being rock solid and good minded. But for those you pretty much have to know the best breeders with proven stock.
“Fancy breeding” is not a priority to us - Performance, “hardiness”, good minds are. Intention is for show jumping.
Would you be so kind as to give me the names of a Station or two (or more) that you know have horses worth taking a peek at?
In addition - the names of some farms that breed the “NZ warmblood” (which we know can be a cross between just about anything) would be much appreciated also 
I’ll PM you a list. Like Felix I think trade me is a good start although most studs rarely list their young stock on it.
What are you interested in, that might shorten my list a bit. Eventing/jumping/dressage or all of the above
[QUOTE=DbHanoverian;7494085]
I’ll PM you a list. Like Felix I think trade me is a good start although most studs rarely list their young stock on it.
What are you interested in, that might shorten my list a bit. Eventing/jumping/dressage or all of the above[/QUOTE]
Intention is show jumping,
Mare or Gelding (although won’t rule out a colt - I know they are generally more difficult to purchase from a reputable breeder)
Prefer age 3 or four as of this year - unbroken or just “nicely/kindly started” We can tell if it was not!
Prefer a size of around 16 H or above (not too big)
no preference on color or markings (but 4 white socks/feet not prefered)
That’s just a basic list - but if you know anything let me know - Much appreciated
I just wanna know if you can pack me in your luggage for the shopping trip. If I don’t fit in the luggage coming home, I won’t mind… 
Here are a few sites to look up
New Zealand Performance Horses www.nzph.co.nz - plus here if you visit is stunning scenery.
Kate McVean is one of our top showjumpers and a terrific person as well… katemcveanequestrian.co.nz
I like Phillip Steiner - he is on facebook - as Steiner sporthorses
Matthews Hanoverians do mainly dressage horses but I see on their web site that they have a couple of jumpers. matthewhanoverians.co.nz
For warmblood showjumpers also have a look at
www.astek.co.nz
www.lchorsefarm.com
www.mvnz.co.nz
www.hentonlodge.co.nz
www.fernhillstud.co.nz (Horses usually have the “Kiwi” prefix if you are results searching)
www.longspring.co.nz (used to have a lot of very good horses, I’m not sure how much in the way of younger stock they have now, might be heaps though).
www.brookbyheights.co.nz - they stand Mighty Heights who is an ISH
Depending on what you are after, stationbreds often make good solid amateur rider horses at the 1.20m to 1.30m level but can struggle to step up to the big heights (not to say none do, because there is usually one or two at least in a class, but very hard to buy a young stationbred and have a good indication of its potential).
You can use this page to search breeders prefix’s and see what is out competing with what results
http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/Horse/Horses.aspx?ID=2073
Bear in mind though that sadly an awful lot of our top level horses head overseas at all stages of their career so may not feature on our national database
And if you want a reputable agent - www.qualitynzhorses.com (Joanne Bridgman)
That’s just a very quick collection of those breeders I could think of, and is by no means exhaustive.
http://www.weitistation.co.nz/ well known stationbreds have friends who have a few from them.
NZ Warmblood wise www.hanoverian.co.nz Is Vollrath Stud, and have some impressive horses more dressage based though
The Ngahiwi horses are really good but tend to have a lot of clydie in them, though he uses a lot of european blood though he doesn’t have a website. He has bred some superstars
Goldengrove breed fantastic jumping horses though its mostly European breeding, though there are some NZ Tb crosses there.
The Fernhill horses are awesome jumpers with fantastic front ends. They normally look a bit skinny and underdone at the stud but they do really well. They have ISH breeding with Tb and Wb thrown in and they tend to be very correct with plenty of substance.
Vollrath stud haven’t produced much n the way of jumpers for ages.
NZPH has two types of horses little hot ones, and a bigger type that tends to be the really scopey ones, mostly Selle Francias breeding.
Astek stud breeds really nice horses but be careful of limb deviations, Voltaire II is well known for throwing crooked front legs.
Longspring tends to do their young horses quite tough so they can be small. Have had some amazing jumpers, but lots of line breeding of half brothers and sisters because they stood one superstar stallion a while ago. Lots of older unbroken stock floating around.
Hey Kiwis – this is exactly what I am looking for to send my friend over on a first trip.
Still havn’t gotten through all the links but I’m knocking them out carefully and taking notes.
Obviously the first trip will also yield some addresses for the second trip through “word of mouth”.
You guys are awesome – but then, I already knew that.
Can’t afford the “top notch” horses so let them go to Europe. Can afford to purchase reasonably and “make” our horses. But potential is primordial and that is worth some $$.
Station equines are always a risk but occasionally there is the diamond in there, so worth a look see.
BTW Thx all for the agent names – I’ll add them to my list. Already aware of the importation rules to Oz. I’ll check travel, insurance & health certificat prices with agents, also any tax levys involved. – at last news they were 10% on purchase price
Just a comment : Fernhill stud greenies look really nice and their prices are quite fair. Weiti Station is a must visit and I’d love to find more addresses like that!
I’ll keep you all posted and give you any feedback! Also I’ll ask questions to each of you as I knock off your references.
Horse will travel in winter season (July or August) to Melbourne. Any of you know a “guestimation” on flying prices to OZ? My research is pulling up approx $4500 for 1 equine. Really don’t want to ship by boat – too long/uncomfortable for equine.
I am not from NZ, but I spent 7 months there as a groom for eventer Donna Smith and in a personal yard for the Brooks family.
The McVeans were my first thought. They breed beautiful horses and every horse I have ever seen with her is just pure quality.
I highly recommend Joanne Bridgman - she breeds beautiful horses and has an excellent eye. Her horses could easily be straight jumpers. She is mainly an eventer but has a ton of connections and could set up a nice trip for you. She has sourced multiple horses for folks like William Fox-Pitt.
I also recommend taking a trip out to Donna Smith’s. She typically has around 40 horses in her yard and can show you some nice ones. Again, she is mainly an eventer. There was a show jumper that she got a GREAT horse from - something like David Goodwin. He lives near her. Based on that one horse (named Balmoral Sensation), I would take a look at his for jumpers.
I love the little hot NZPH ones.
Henton has FABULOUS horses that tear it up in multiple disciplines. Donna had a great one when I was there - Henton Executive - who was basically an amateur horse that went to 3*. She has a 2* one Balmoral Henton that is super nice. Lizzie Brown’s top event horse is Henton Attorney General, and he is one of the best jumpers I have ever seen. Sam Felton has a nice one too - I believe Henton After Dark.
I definitely would have brought some back, but the flights are just ridiculous. I got an advanced horse for US$14,000. Just so much cheaper than they are here, and he was so sound.
Thx Catch that’s the impression I get also!
I’ll check your other suggestions carefully!
OP, I know it’s a while since you asked and so possibly after the fact but there is this station in the South Island = https://www.facebook.com/ErewhonStation with a sale coming up.
[QUOTE=Horse with No Name;7579191]
OP, I know it’s a while since you asked and so possibly after the fact but there is this station in the South Island = https://www.facebook.com/ErewhonStation with a sale coming up.[/QUOTE]
Remember that if you are looking at true “stationbred” horses, these are / were horses bred for shepards to use working stock on stations and are generally small - 16 hh would be big. Smaller is easier to get on and off, open gates from and hoist a sick sheep across.
If you look at some of the traditional stations (Erewhon is one) the horses will have had very little handling and will need some work and training before they could be loaded onto a plane for a trip overseas.
If you are still on this track, I would second the idea of contacting Jo Bridgeman, Donna Smith and Katie McVean. I would also suggest you contact Penny Stevenson and her daughter Sam McIntosh.
This page from Donna Smith’s website will be helpful if you haven’t come across it already: http://www.balmoraleventing.com/services/horse-scouting/
I had a friend move her horse from Queenstown to Brisbane and she told me it was approximately $7,000 all up to fly her horse over (may have included everything to register with EA, her mum pretty much organised it all so she’s not sure). I’m looking at shipping my old horse to Sydney (pending pre-purchase vet check), which will be about $3,500 (including import tax and customs clearance) plus road transport. I don’t see a problem with travelling by ship… www.seahorseseafreight.com Looks like a good service imo.
ETA: I was quoted $5000 to fly from Christchurch to Sydney with IRT excluding:
Road transport from current location to Christchurch Airport
Road Transport from Sydney Airport to final destination
Breed Registration Transfer costs
Goods and Services Tax on arrival
Costs due to delays outside IRT’s control
Transit or Mortality insurance (Quotes available on request)
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