Waiuku: Back in the saddle

Dedicated owners have restored an equestrian centre to its former glory.

Isola Equestrian Centre, 281 KoheKohe Rd, Waiuku.

Isola, the name resonates with the romance of the Mediterranean. Katherine Mansfield's villa at Menton in the South of France is the Isola Bella, and New Zealand troops fought near the town of Isola in Italy in World War II. But when Michelle and Rob Innes purchased the Isola Equestrian Centre in the rolling hills just outside Waiuku, it was anything but romantic.

The farmhouse and surrounding yards were disappearing behind shaggy macrocarpas, and broken fences and outbuildings with rusty roofs contributed to a general air of neglect and decay. It had been owned by an absentee owner for nine years and as Rob says: "It is not the sort of property you can just lock up and leave. It needs a lot of love."

The Inneses had the love to offer. As Michelle, a horse lover since childhood remembers it: "On the sporting horse circuit, the Isola Equestrian Centre has been there since the early 1970s. It was always my dream to have a place like this, so when it came up for sale we jumped at it. Rob is a keen rider, too, and we wanted a country lifestyle and a business. We knew Isola could provide all that."

They knew they were facing a big challenge. After all, not many properties come with 25 stables, a flood-lit indoor arena big enough to play polo in, bunkhouses, tack and feed rooms, not to mention acres of outdoor arenas and exercise yards, all in dire need of repair and upgrading. But, full of enthusiasm and fired with a vision of its future as much as a remembrance of its past, they set to with a will to restore it to its former glory. The house got a lick of paint and a garden clearance, but it was the farm buildings that the Inneses concentrated on. Roofs and fences were mended, and the plumbing and electrics overhauled. The holes in the walls of the bunk rooms and kitchens that once allowed possums to roam with impunity were mended, the kitchens and bathrooms renovated to a sturdy and practical level, and basic furniture was installed in all the mini dormitories. Now three-day events, ribbon days, and school camps complete with ponies can be catered for. The only loser is Benson, the Newfoundland, who still has hopes he'll catch another possum in the echoing communal spaces behind the indoor arena.

A sunny building site with grandstand views of the pretty rural views down the valley has been prepared, complete with all its services, for a dream home to be built. But it is not to be the Innes's. Another business opportunity has come up and they need to move closer to it, sad as they are to leave everything they have worked so hard for. But as Michelle says: "It will always be here. If not in this exact form, then in some way. It can be run as a business, but it is so close to Auckland that it could also be run by a manager with the owners just living here to enjoy the lifestyle."

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 16 ha, house 160sqm.

PRICE INDICATION: In excess of $1 million. Tender closes August 17.

INSPECT: Sunday 1-2pm or by appointment.

CONTACT: Margot Hattaway or Winston Morrison, Barfoot &Thompson Pukekohe, ph 09 238 7019 bus, 021 921 671 (Margot), 027 241 2801 (Winston).

FEATURES: Fully functioning centre for equestrian activities, with numerous buildings and facilities, all in an excellent state of repair. Original roomy farm-house and prepared building site. A well run business with potential for further expansion or change of direction.