“My old man had horses right from the day I was born and we used them on the farm pretty much like a tractor.
“A lot of people do ride them – I’m not a big fan of riding them but we do take them down the beach and the kids will go for a ride – but they’re bred for pulling so that’s what you do with them.”
For anything other than a few small jobs around the farm, Ross uses horses – he gets the cows in with them, picks up calves with them, feeds out with them and uses them for ploughing, discing and harrowing.
“They’ve all got different temperaments – we do a lot of work with them so it’s like anything, a lot of training goes in before you head out of the gate.”
Wilson will soon be able to have an eight-horse team – the only one in the North Island, he believes.
“I’ve got a mare having a foal in April and it will just run beside her when she’s working, just to get used to it, then I’ll have an eight-horse team – the only one in the North Island.
Not for show
“I’m not into showing them – not really into that. For me, I’m happy with my horses. They’re not perfect, but I’m happy with them.”
While this year’s A&P Show will feature Clydesdales in the show ring, Wilson will be there just to give rides and it won’t be his first rodeo.
“I go to Kumeū, Clevedon, Tauranga, now Te Puke, about three shows in the Waikato – I always go to Morrinsville, the water festival in Putāruru.”
Outside of that, he has taken his horses to weddings and funerals.
“I never planned on doing any of that – I’ve just got horses because that’s what I wanted to do. For me, driving around a paddock and feeding out to the cows is what I wanted to do, because that’s more fun.”
Wagon rides behind Clydesdales will be part of tomorrow’s Te Puke A&P Show. Supplied photo
Taking the horses off the farm started when he was asked to take them to a funeral. It grew from there into other functions where people “just wanted me there”.
“It pays good money, but like anything, there’s a lot of work you’ve got to put in before you can go to those.”
He also plans to one day take his horses to Fieldays at Mystery Creek.
“I will get there, but everything takes time and planning.”
Another long-term goal is to create a tourist business.
“You’ve got to have a good foundation and got to have good horses.”
Te Puke A&P Show
Tomorrow’s Te Puke A&P Show is the 119th and will feature a wide range of events, from pets corner to tree climbing, a chance to drive a rally car to a strong man and woman competition as well as trade stands, food stalls, equestrian events and much more.
Under 5s are free, children $2, those 13 and over $10, family $25.
