Bring Your Horse To School

Around twelve girls, including a number from a variety of Christchurch girl’s schools, got up close to a horse at Rangi Ruru last week.

It’s the first time the school has run such an event which encourages Rangi Ruru school girls to bring a friend from another school to learn more about the Rangi equestrian programme.

The girls were treated to a practical equestrian masterclass by well-known coach, New Zealand representative rider and Rangi parent, Sally Field-Dodgson.

Sally Field-Dodgson clipped, polished, painted and made-up one of the horses, demonstrating how a horse can be displayed to ‘maximum advantage’. Her ability to turn out a horse to this standard contributed to the recent success of Beechcroft Playboy at the recent Horse of the Year Show.  

Two Rangi Ruru students Georgia Woodley from Geraldine and Alexis Harmon from Kaikoura brought their horses to school from their local agistment (where they are cared for).  Serengetti and Marney handled the school environment with ease, appreciated being the focus of attention and were very well behaved. There was definitely no talking.

Genevieve McCorkindale from Christchurch Girls’ High School came with Charlotte Chater who is in Year 7 at Rangi Ruru.

When asked what she thought of the event, Genevieve's mum said "it was fantastic!"

The school’s equestrian teams have also had a good year competition wise so far with the most recent win at the Canterbury Interschools Showjumping Champs earlier this month at the National Equine Centre on McLeans Island, where the Rangi Ruru “Gold” team was placed first.

Pippa Young says the equestrian teams continue to strengthen their experience and ability.

“These girls are focused. They know what they can achieve and they work extremely hard to get there, as individuals and as a team,” she says.

It was a real echo from the past to have horses back on school grounds as Rangi had stables for many years but unfortunately were demolished as part of re-development in 1949.

The team now heads to the Interschools Dressage competition at McLeans Island on Wednesday 6 April.