Stock Horse Crosses the Ditch

THE Australian Stock Horse Society officially crossed the ditch last month, opening a branch in New Zealand.

An enthusiastic group of New Zealand members helped establish the branch, with 24 members and growing.

Steve Bryant, president of the New Zealand branch with Daniel Sinkenson from Central Plateau Association who won the ASHS award for best junior player under 16 at the juniors and intermediates polocrosse tournament held at Waikato

Steve Bryant, president of the New Zealand branch said they are thrilled to have a branch of the Society in New Zealand.

“We are thrilled the New Zealand branch is up-and-running,” Mr Bryant said.

“We are really looking forward to enhancing the connections between Australia and New Zealand and building awareness of the Society and growing the Australian stock horse breed on this side of the Tasman,” he said.

David Gatwood, general manager of the Australian Stock Horse Society, has a vision to consolidate the recognition of the breed within Australia and continue to make inroads overseas.

“This is an exciting time for the Society with the formation of a New Zealand branch,” said Mr Gatwood.

“International recognition of the breed and expansion of our membership base into new markets is a distinct area of focus,” he said.

“We are delighted to welcome our close neighbours across the Tasman and look forward to a long association,” David Gatwood said.

Polocrosse is the main equine sport driving the interest for the Australian stock horse in New Zealand.

There has been increasing interest in exporting registered Australian stock horses to New Zealand and the exchanges already in place between the neighbouring countries are set to grow further with the opening of the new branch.