I have been on this property at the head of the North River Valley in Waipu for the past 24 years.  Having traveled extensively through Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe I returned home with the realisation that there was more to life than farming in general and milking cows in particular. 

I have an immense love of the land and of New Zealand, so moving from this special property was not an option. I particularly noticed the solitary lifestyle I had been leading, and realised that I needed to do something that involved people. 

About that time a friend invited me to go trail riding with her at a local riding center. I don't mind admitting that a didn't enjoy a single minute of it. 

Having been 17 years since I had ridden a horse I was definitely out of my comfort zone. 

However, the one thing that it did do was to reignite my childhood passion for horses and riding.

Two years later, and no formal riding or horsemanship training, I had 10 horses and was open for business.  Over the preceding 6 months before opening for business I rode all the horses that I acquired, for many, many hours, and to be absolutely truthful, the learning curve was very steep indeed.

 
Now, having worked with over 20,000 people riding, it is time to use this experience for the betterment of horses and of people.  Now, as well as continuing with the trekking business, I work with the volunteers and horses at a local therapeutic riding center, offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning and run Humanship workshops and seminars worldwide.  All of which is a far cry from even my wildest dreams when I purchased the property.

For I believe that horses and nature can show us a better way of life, and teach us the life skills of communication, harmony and balance; thereby helping to create a better place for us all to live