25/05/2026
Manawatu Saddle Up, if you live anywhere near the Manawatu region you will have heard of it! For decades it has been an enduring club that has given support, inspiration and enjoyment to a huge number of riders. You can show your support by joining a fun group of people, your horse will love you for it.
Taken from the Sporty website:
Saddle Up was originally formed by a group of parents associated with Tiritea Pony Club back in 1968. At an after-rally cup-of-tea, someone suggested the idea of a riding group for adults as Horse Society was well out of most adult riders league, and the Pony Clubs didn’t cater for riders over 21. Kitty Seifert suggested the name “Saddle Up” and so the club was formed.
As a social group, most of Saddle Ups early events were treks over farmland surrounding Palmerston North city, and pub rides were a regular occurrence! Tales of Saddle Ups cocktail parties were also fondly recounted – it seems that great bowls of Champagne Cocktail were the clubs favourite tipple.
In 1974 Saddle Up ran one of the first Endurance rides in New Zealand as fitness and mileage had become a focus. In corroboration with local vets, Harry Pearce and Dr Jolly from Massey, the endurance rides provided a live study on equine fitness, heart rates and recovery times. The event grew over the following 2 years to become a National 100 mile event in 1976.
Times change, and the nature of Saddle Up has also changed. The Trekking has become less frequent, mainly due to limited access to farmland, and now there is a greater focus on competitions. Over the past 40 years, what hasn’t changed is the clubs sense of fun and inclusion.
Membership is now open for the 2026 - 2027 season!
Visit https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/167266 and complete the membership form.
Memberships for adult riders & non riders 17 years plus
$35 for riding members
$10 for non- riding members (can upgrade throughout the season if it needs to change to riding)
Lots planned with seminars, rallies, have a go days and more.
Also looking for riders and volunteers for the North Island Teams Event (NITE) to be held early January 2027
Any questions please message on here or email [email protected]
