Meet The Team - Natalie Gameson

NATALIE GAMESON

Title: Education & Animal Care Manager

Role/Duties: I look after all things in education and training, HRNZ cadet scheme, Gateway programme, working with the Primary ITO and NZ Equine Education Trust, I also oversee animal care, microchipping, standardbred traceability and life after racing, and Kidz Kartz.

How long have you worked at HRNZ? 12 and a half years

Are you involved in racing outside of work? If so how? I sure am, my husband Jamie is a trainer and together we breed, own and race a number of horses ourselves (too many to count). We are also yearling preparers and have another nice draft of yearlings to prepare this year. We have also had shares in a couple of gallopers and greyhounds over the years

What are your hobbies? Horses – I compete in both showing and dressage, which I love! I have a beautiful mare, Vienna, that I compete and have started to share with our daughter who also rides. So if I’m not competing, then she often is.
I love spending time with family and following our kids round at their sports and catching up with friends.

Favourite horse from past or present? Here We Go Again, she took us on a great racing journey, travelling around the country, meeting people and making friends, as well as winning races and now she is in our paddock having her own babies. She is just another member of the family!
And Vienna – my unicorn.

What was your first paying job? Working at Paper Plus in Barrington Mall, before leaving shortly after I started to go and work for Ernie & Jenny Knight, helping prepare their sales yearlings.

Favourite holiday destination? A holiday anywhere would be great but I love going to Kaikoura, where I make myself at home with some friends.

What do you like most about your job? Watching our cadets succeed in what they have been working towards. Whether it is gaining their trials licence or driving/training their first winner, they all have their own journeys.

What is something that not many people know about you? I’m scared of heights…. Like terrified!!