Out at Taumutu, Katrina Martin (Matene/Wards whānau) and her four daughters rescue and re-home horses that have had a bad life. Throughout their time at Taumutu, the horses gain weight and become familiar with places like Taumutu beach and Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere). Katrina and her daughters train the horses for trekking and shows. The recent show, Life After Racing, is for standard breeds that have failed as racehorses. For some of the horses, it is a chance to show people what they can do and for others, it’s a chance to recover and move on to new loving homes.
On 26 May at the Life After Racing show at Rangiora racecourse, we decided to add a bit of culture into the arena and with the help of Fiona Sloan (Teihoka whānau) and Aitutaki Togia (Marsh whānau), we painted designs on the horses’ hindquarters and wore the Taumutu rūnanga t-shirts. Both girls and horses competed successfully throughout the day and collected a 2nd, 3rd, six 4th places, and two 5th place ribbons.
Tamara Martin competed on Bubba, who has been out at Taumutu for a year; and Ngahuia Martin rode Clyde, who has been out at Taumutu for seven years.
Next time you’re out at Taumutu look out for the horses in the urupā paddock or Bomma Mehlhopt’s paddock not far from the Ngāti Moki Marae. Well done to the Martin whānau on their great achievements and for the hard work they do with these stranded, unwanted, rescued horses.
Ngahuia and Tamara at Life after Racing.
Ngahuia Martin with Clyde.
Tamara Martin on Bubba.
Maori design on horses for show, with the girls wearing Taumutu t-shirts.