New Horse for Hartstone

 

Top New Zealand equestrienne Jody Hartstone has bought herself a Christmas present... but it didn't fit under any tree in Raglan!

Hartstone has a new horse waiting for her in the United Kingdom – Wunders-Tag, which fittingly translates to Wonderful Day.

“I’ve been looking for a new prospect for a while now to replace Whisper, and couldn’t believe my luck when I saw this one.”

UK-based New Zealand photographer Jan Milne helped her find the 16.3 hh chestnut Hanoverian gelding, who shares the same Weltmeyer bloodline as Whisper. It was through world-class dressage rider Carl Hester that the introduction was made. 

“We clicked straight away – he is a nice horse to ride and doesn’t have too many training issues to fix. I’m pretty excited by it all.”

Hartstone plans to return to the UK in mid-January where she will base near Hester’s yard, have lessons with him, and compete the horse at several competitions in France and at other international shows.

“It is a chance of a lifetime to do this really,” says Hartstone.

And she’s not entirely discounting the London Olympics just yet.

“London will be nice if it happens, but we need to get out on the international stage first to see what sort of marks we can get and just how we go together.”

Hartstone is a multiple winner of the nation’s top dressage awards and campaigned hard for selection for the 2010 World Champs, but it wasn’t to be. Whisper died in March after a short illness.

Story: ESNZ Photo: Jan Milne/ESNZ