Summer was born on what's known as Auckland's North Shore (i.e., the bit north of the Harbour Bridge) and has spent her 20-something years in the area. "I rode a pony at camp when I was little and then started having riding lessons at Coatsville's Fruit fields at age 8. However, I gave up horses when I reached 14 years old for a variety of reasons, including boys, glandular fever and the fact that
my horse kept going lame." She then went on to study hospitality at AUT for 3 years, qualifying with distinction as a chef and went on to work in some of Auckland's leading restaurants and hotels, before starting her own company "Square Meals, Round Town". Having developed a successful business and looking to have a working holiday, Summer joined Clifton Eventers in 2008. With the support and guidance of France Stead and the tutelage of Olympic event rider and Badminton 2013 winner Jonathan Paget, Summer dedicated three years to learning Jonathan's system of competing and training event horses. "Having not ridden for nearly ten years when I joined Clifton Eventers, my riding was effectively back at beginner level. I had planned to do 'the horse thing' for one year only as a sort of 'mid-life crisis at 23/gap year', but Jock inspired me to stay". "Sometimes I still have to pinch myself to believe I'm not dreaming and have actually achieved my ambitions of riding and producing horses to Advance/4* in just 3 years". After Clifton Eventers New Zealand was wrapped up in 2011, Summer headed to Europe, the mecca of eventing and spent the year riding for and training with Jock Paget and Blyth Tait. "Eventing is a real industry over there and the training is correct and pretty hard core professional compared with us laid back kiwis". Summer takes horse and ponies for schooling and sale on behalf, as well as riding and competing for owners. She particularly enjoys working with riders and their horses to achieve their goals, "The system Jock's trainer Kevin McNab used to produce him from not having jumped a fence to competing at 4* in just 2 years, and Jock used to produce me to 4* in just 3 years is absolutely fool proof and very simple". "It gives riders the tools and confidence in their ability to produce honest and confident horses from beginners right through to advanced".
