Help get Sarita & Costie to the Grand Nationals in Sydney

08/05/2024

I finally got around to choosing professional photos! Thank you Lisa at & Amy at for making the decision so hard!

Coming home was really a shock to the system so it’s taken me a wee while to catch my breath 🙈

Amazingly we managed to raise $17146!!! Which went a very long way to covering the costs of the trip that ended about $19000

Huge thank you to everyone that supported me 🌟 it really was a trip of a life time made even more special by taking the superstar that is Costie - he was more fabulous then I ever would have believed possible 🦄

Vivant Equi
Matamata Veterinary Services - Equine
The Honey Trap
Canter for Cancer
Cooper-Levin Musical Freestyles
Christine Weal Equestrian
Stephanie Pickett
The Clip Clop Shoppe
Dunstan Horsefeeds
Gregory Equine Covers & Saddlery
Abercothi Equestrian Saddlery
Brosnan
Anna Jones
Paetai Cottage
Dental Services
Hawke Contracting
NZ
Cassie Henderson
Vetpro
’s Keyrings
NZ Show Horse Council Inc

25/03/2024

He’s so happy to be out in the paddock stretching his legs

24/03/2024

He’s home! Huge thanks to Mark & Michelle for meeting the truck & sorting Costie so he can go out in his paddock tonight 🤩 I know he will appreciate being out after an intense week 🦄

24/03/2024

The auction has now closed ⭐️
Thank you for everyone’s support I’ll be in contact with the winners tomorrow once I’m home

https://www.facebook.com/share/AGKjfMZsDkDP54zF/?

It's time to start bidding on our fabulous auction items to raise funds to help send Sarita and Costie to the Grand Nationals in Sydney, Australia. • The Auction goes live on the 15th March 2024 at 7.30pm and will close at on the 24th March 2024 at 7.30pm. • All items have reserve prices but there are some $1 reserve bargains to be had. • The highest bidder at close time wins, if this bidder forfeits the item will be offered to the underbidder. • All items are plus postage and all services have area restrictions – please read the descriptions carefully. • Sarita will PM the winner payment details and discuss postage requirements. Auction items must be paid for within 10days on closing – 3rd April 2024

24/03/2024

Day 9
I’ve landed & got the message that Costie’s on his way home but his gear has been retained for further inspection 🙈 bet he’s looking very forward to his paddock after a long day travelling, thanks Mark for meeting him at home 🥰
Now I just need to get through custom & catch my shuttle
What a trip ⭐️🦄⭐️

23/03/2024

Day 8
An amazing day despite it beginning at 3am 🤣
Costie was a superstar today & tried his heart out for me, unfortunately he wasn’t the judges preferred type so no placings for us, which is a shame as I’m sure she would have loved him if she had chosen to have a ride 🦄
Thank you Christine Weal Equestrian for the last minute polish up this morning & Harriet Redmond for everything - you’ve been a extraordinary addition to team Costie & we’ve both appreciated you being here 🌟 (I think Costie will be very sad to find out you’re not coming home with him…)
Will do a large photo dump when back home
Thank you to everyone that made this experience possible 🥂

22/03/2024

Day 7 - how can that be?!
A more relaxed day with lots of watching and chilling. The open Galloway classes were today, which are the first classes the judges have ridden their top 12-15, so it was great to see the process in preparation for tomorrow 🤩
Costie had his pre export check from the vet & is cleared to fly Sunday
We had a lunch time school where he felt awesome & not tired at all from yesterday’s excitements 🦄
An early start for our last arena familiarisation tomorrow morning, probably unnecessary for him but I’ve not been in there since Monday so better check I know what I need to do 🙈
1 more sleep and it’s all go!
Vivant Equi
Matamata Veterinary Services - Equine
The Honey Trap
Canter for Cancer
Cooper-Levin Musical Freestyles
Christine Weal Equestrian
Stephanie Pickett
Dunstan Horsefeeds
Gregory Equine Covers & Saddlery
The Clip Clop Shoppe
Abercothi Equestrian Saddlery
Yolande Brosnan
Anna Jones
Paetai Cottage
Equine Dental Services
Phil Hawke Contracting
4CYTE NZ
Cassie Henderson
Vetpro
Kyrie's Keyrings
NZ Show Horse Council Inc

21/03/2024

Day 6
What a day! Early start but it was worth it ⭐️
Costie tried so hard for Harriet & she did a super job riding him in her rider class - I’m jealous of her ability to sit that trot 🤩 very proud of my boy, think he’s loved the extra attention & it was a great dress rehearsal for Saturday 💃
You can watch their workout on the NZ Show Horse Council Inc page https://fb.watch/qXKKKLJRtJ/?mibextid=tUvUA8
His flight home is all confirmed, now just my Australian debut to come 🙈
Vivant Equi
Matamata Veterinary Services - Equine
The Honey Trap
Canter for Cancer
Cooper-Levin Musical Freestyles
Christine Weal Equestrian
Stephanie Pickett
Dunstan Horsefeeds
Gregory Equine Covers & Saddlery
The Clip Clop Shoppe
Abercothi Equestrian Saddlery
Yolande Brosnan
Anna Jones
Paetai Cottage
Equine Dental Services
Phil Hawke Contracting
4CYTE NZ
Cassie Henderson
Vetpro
Kyrie's Keyrings

20/03/2024

Day 5
Had a great lesson with Christine this morning thanks to Harriet’s pivo… so good to hear that knowledgeable voice all the way over here ⭐️
Followed by a lovely hack in the dark, luckily no kangaroos or snakes seen lol
Got to watched some of the NZ team compete & huge congratulations to Team Copeman for taking out runner up in the lead rein saddle pony & champion owner rider 🥂 Bindi Beatson also went top 10 in her rider class - go team NZ 🌟
Had an Australian visitor at the stables, she first saw Costie at the NZSHC show in November & absolutely loved him, she said when she found out we were here she had to come visit! Costie stealing more hearts 🥰 I also found a young girl (maybe 3) feeding Costie his post ride carrots when I went to tack him up, she declared my horse liked her 😍
Another arena familiarisation this afternoon this time with Harriet… going for a preschool hack & we see 2 kangaroos… I say he will be fine to walk past which he was, barely even looked at them… next minute they’re jumping behind us on the path! Poor Costie turned to look and had his little mind blown why they would do such a thing as they jumped on past 🙈 they definitely have no fear of horses 😳
Harriet & Costie nailed their arena familiarisation, looked like true professionals out there - very proud mum moment 🦄 seeing Costie with someone else is a bit odd but Harriet is doing a super job & he even got to try out some new show bling ⭐️ They’re ready for Costie’s Australian debut tomorrow lunch time
Loving the messages from home, has so far been an eye opening but amazing experience with my super pony 🦄
Vivant Equi
Matamata Veterinary Services - Equine
The Honey Trap
Canter for Cancer
Cooper-Levin Musical Freestyles
Christine Weal Equestrian
Stephanie Pickett
Dunstan Horsefeeds
Gregory Equine Covers & Saddlery
The Clip Clop Shoppe
Abercothi Equestrian Saddlery
Yolande Brosnan
Anna Jones
Paetai Cottage
Equine Dental Services
Phil Hawke Contracting
4CYTE NZ
Cassie Henderson
Vetpro
Kyrie's Keyrings
NZ Show Horse Council Inc

19/03/2024

Day 4
A spectating day 😊
Costie had a light school early this morning & then I watched some of the many variety of ponies strutt their stuff, the first of our New Zealand riders rode their borrowed mounts in their rider classes and they rode so well ⭐️
The afternoon was super hot 30degrees and humid 🥵 unfortunately one of the borrowed horses has been injured so Costie has stepped in to fill the gap as Harriet’s rider mount, was a bit odd watching someone else ride him but she did a super job and they look great together 🤩 and everyone knows how much Costie loves attention so he will lap up the pats and enjoy the extra opportunity to show off his bounce in the main arena 🦄 he’s appreciating the extra pampering that occurs at these showy shows 🥰
Vivant Equi
Matamata Veterinary Services - Equine
The Honey Trap
Canter for Cancer
Cooper-Levin Musical Freestyles
Christine Weal Equestrian
Stephanie Pickett
Dunstan Horsefeeds
Gregory Equine Covers & Saddlery
The Clip Clop Shoppe
Abercothi Equestrian Saddlery
Yolande Brosnan
Anna Jones
Paetai Cottage
Equine Dental Services
Phil Hawke Contracting
4CYTE NZ
Cassie Henderson
Vetpro
Kyrie's Keyrings
NZ Show Horse Council Inc

18/03/2024

Day 3
Bit of a drawn out day… a school this morning that saw a kangaroo jump into our arena… we did not maintain our counter canter & I quickly pulled up from the trot Costie had chosen as I was at risk of getting bounced off lol but we coped & settled quickly afterwards ⭐️
We learnt Costie will eat the Lucerne haylage if I hand feed it or if he has the whole bag… but not if I put it in a bucket, what else have I got to do all day right?! 🙈
Watched the hobby horse this afternoon which was certainly an eye opener but the kids loved it 😍
Then finally our arena familiarisation time at 8pm! Costie was a superstar walked well around the arena to start & once settled did some super work, didn’t spook at the amazing decorations or the grand stands 🦄
He really is taking everything in his long relaxed stride 🤩
Thanks to our supporters that allowed us to participate in this amazing opportunity
Vivant Equi
Matamata Veterinary Services - Equine
The Honey Trap
Canter for Cancer
Cooper-Levin Musical Freestyles
Christine Weal Equestrian
Stephanie Pickett
Dunstan Horsefeeds
Gregory Equine Covers & Saddlery
The Clip Clop Shoppe
Abercothi Equestrian Saddlery
Yolande Brosnan
Anna Jones
Paetai Cottage
Equine Dental Services
Phil Hawke Contracting
4CYTE NZ
Cassie Henderson
Vetpro
Kyrie's Keyrings
NZ Show Horse Council Inc

17/03/2024

Don’t forget we’ve got one last auction running until 7.30pm Sunday - still some bargains to be had!