"The kids all call him Tractor, because he is slow and reliable," says Jess Wheeler, the coach at Central Taranaki Group Riding for the Disabled (RDA) of Tari, the skewbald coloured 24-year-old Gisborne Station Bred gelding.
Tari, known to all now as Tractor, was entered into the NZRDA Horse of the Year competition this year, by the volunteers at Central Taranaki RDA. While he didn't win the competition, he is winner in their eyes, says Jess, "and that is what really matters".
Tractor is described by all who work with him as being "bomb proof" with his calm nature making him the perfect horse for nervous riders, or those who are new to the RDA programme. "He can take kids who need to sit in different therepeutic positions, I don't know what we would do without him," says Jess who describes riding him as being "like sitting on a giant couch that moves slow and steadily".
Tractor has been with the Central Taranaki RDA for the last 10 years, on loan from a family who support the work the RDA does. In his early years he was a stallion, siring many foals. Coincidentally, one of the other horses used by the Central Taranaki RDA is "Chunky" a grandson of Tractor.
Tractor has become a bit of a mascot for the group, not only entering competitions but also coming along to events even when injured as the mascot and team supporter. "Everyone loves him, some of our volunteers who haven't ridden for years feel able to try again with Tractor, as he is patient and steady," says Jess.
