Have you ever just wanted to get away? But what, you think, would I do about my riding? Vacations are fine, but an extended visit always has me itching to get back to the barn. Maggie Nichols has found the best of both worlds, spending her last two years of college in NZ. Between fits of jealousy, I was able to ask her about the experience. Lucky for us she’s sharing, and I hear she has a pull out couch!

Maggie’s Background:

I grew up with our local pony club in Virginia ending up with my HA then moved on to working student positions and eventing various young horses up to training level. Looking forward to moving up on this good kiwi horse and doing our first 3day end of the season

On the differences between Kiwi and US eventing:

Biggest difference: ahh you know it's a funny mix between extremely 'british' (tea breaks between phases and everyone's expected to bake delicious goods for the officials) and then the typical kiwi 'take it easy mate' atmosphere. They don't even have optimum time-it's more 'just go forward and don't back off the jumping and you'll make time; dressage'll sort itself' It's basically the attitude that's the difference.

As far as horse care goes, yes, significant differences! Keep in mind they basically live in paradise-mild climate year round and no bugs so hardly anything gets put in stalls and they wear canvas rugs year round to protect from the sun. Makes for very happy horses!

I very much enjoy the courses in NZ. They would remind one of America's eventing in its earlier days where there weren't silly decorations and 'trappy' fences. Just big, solid tracks where you can gallop and jump everything out of a confident stride. Ha, however NZ could use some of America's discipline. I can't speak for the whole country of course, but from what I've seen there could be benefit from a few good dressage lessons with top people.

I'm currently riding with Shayne Carrick, owner of Bellwood Stud and former advanced rider-what a character! It's funny I actually sent a cold email out to a coaching directory and it was passed on to Shayne. Didn't know what to make of him at first-his humor is dry as a bone and the casual use of a stock saddle to do trot sets gives you a "Man from Snowy River" feel. A better horseman in the world could not be found.

On her favorite NZ memories:

Oh goodness, there are so many favorite memories!! Herding sheep with a classy race horse is among the top, but it's our conditioning gallops on the beach with the race horse and my eventer as the sun comes up that take your breath away. Really like hiking when I'm not riding-but between uni and horses that's almost never!

Advice for NZ horse shoppers:

If you're going horse shopping in NZ..I would take the time to make some good friends. This is a culture that bases everything on 'who you know' and the good ole boy crowd. One good horse dealer will know all the bad ones and that saves trouble. NZ is really a treasure of the horse world-I have yet to see just a really bad looking or un-athletic horse!

Thanks Maggie for sharing, and until next time-

Kaitlin