Making more memories at the Larsen Sawmilling Jumping and Show Hunter Champs

BRINGING THROUGH THE NEXT GENERATION: Fourteen-month-old Charlie Hart with his parents Tasha Brown and Ashley Hart at the opening day of the Larsen Sawmilling Jumping and Show Hunter Championships. Picture by Paul Rickard

Ashley Hart has ridden the highs and lows of the world of horses at Gisborne shows, but he still holds the events dear to his heart.

The Hastings rider figures he was probably “10 or so” when he first rode in Gisborne and he's been a loyal supporter of both the A&P shows and Larsen Sawmilling Jumping and Show Hunter Championships ever since.

He's here again this year with his fiancee Tasha Brown, who has also won many ribbons here, and 14-month-old son Charlie.

“I've certainly had a lot of good times here,” Ashley says.

He and his father Graeme own Fernhill Stud, one of New Zealand's oldest sport-horse breeding operations. Graeme Hart started it 30 years ago, and over the decades it has bred horses that have competed around the world, and won grand prix events in Las Vegas and Ireland, and many national titles.

Graeme was instrumental in establishing the Young Horse Show, which has moved back to Hawke's Bay after a stint elsewhere.

Ashley Hart is proud of the event, which is a family affair behind the scenes.

“The breeding game is tough,” Ashley says.

“A lot of people don't like starting horses off, and instead want to head to ring one.”

It means he produces a lot of young horses through the grades.

The upside of that demand is that people are prepared to pay more, but Ashley says it is vital to have the right horse.

The demographic of riders has shifted, with more coming from city backgrounds.

“It's probably good for the sport though,” Ashley says.

“People are also doing a lot more training.”

Fernhill Stud is on the Napier-Taihape Road, just out of Hastings. The 225-hectare property is home to sheep and cattle, too, and the Harts breed Wiltshire sheep.

The stud has 15 foals on the ground this season. They stand stallions Kiwi Gunsmoke and Kiwi Gunman.

They also use a lot of Capatino semen.

“He is very well bred,” Ashley says.

“When you look at him you think he should produce horses capable of World Cup rounds and other classes like that.”

Ashley's niece Makayla White is showing plenty of talent. She is part of the third generation of the Hart family to come through the ranks, and she competes in both age-group and junior-rider classes.

Tasha is trained as a vet nurse but is loving helping out at the stud, working in the sheep yards, being a mother and planning an April wedding for her and Ashley.

The crew have brought just six horses with them to Gisborne. Usually it is a two-truck affair with 11 horses. This time, though, Tasha is riding Kiwi Cheroline, on whom she won the amateur rider class at Wairoa recently, and five-year-old Kiwi Windfall.

Ashley has Kiwi Showtime in the pro-amateur rider, seven-year-old Kiwi Bonus and a few other “babies”.

An integral member of the team hardly touches a horse at shows — Tasha's mother Bev Brown comes to every show to watch over Charlie.

“This is a great show to come to,” Ashley says.

“The people here are really good, and everyone is helpful and accommodating. We thoroughly enjoy it.”