The Standardbreds living their best High Country lives

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

It's a world away from the big city racetracks like Alexandra Park or Addington but "Herb" and his mates are right at home in the heart of the South Island.
 
Huxley Gorge Station and the adjoining Glen Lyon Station span just over 34,000 hectares of high country cattle and merino farmland, just west of Mt Cook and Twizel, in the heart of the McKenzie Country.

The stations have been in the Wigley family for generations.

The Huxley Gorge horse trekking business is run by Caroline Hayes and Operations manager and head guide Penny Copsey.

"She's an absolute power house, caring for the trekking horses and running and guiding the treks," says Caroline, "we are very lucky to have her and I couldn't have got the trekking off the ground without her!"

All told they have 28 horses on-site between the two farms, including 11 Standardbreds.
 
Three are used for mustering, the other eight, "including a couple of Christian Cullens" are involved in the horse trekking business.

"The big open spaces and barking dogs can be overwhelming at first but they all take to it," says Caroline.

"We always stick with Standardbreds now for trekking ... they are just so reliable."

And Caroline knows exactly what she's looking for in a trekking horse.  

"They can look like anything - a  donkey or be beautiful it doesn't really matter - as long as they have trainability and a good nature."

"We usually go for geldings, not over 16 hands, and they have to be stocky and strong with good feet - they can't be pigeon-toed!"

The company has two main treks, the Larch Stream Stroll and the Hopkins 360 which range from one and a half to three hours though longer or specially-designed custom options are available too.

"We get a few Kiwis as well as lots of Europeans and Japanese and Chinese clients."

"It's all private trekking with a maximum of five people - it is nice and personal."

"Trekking horses have to have a slow walk and can't stride out - we don't want them trotting or cantering."

Some of the Standardbreds were good performers on the track and/or the show ring - others not so much. One (Dream) has even made it to the big screen.

"This boy has been with us for coming up nine years," says Caroline, "he was a movie star in the Disney film MULAN as one of the lead horses."

One of Caroline's personal favourites is Herb who was known as Magical Star. By Majestic Son he had just three starts.

"He's an absolute tank - he's solid as rock and a mainstay of our trekking business right now."

Others include three-race winners Mickey Jay (Christian Cullen) and Gotta Go Cullect gelding Star Fantasy (aka Buddy).

"He has turned into a "trekking and mustering machine!"

In contrast Tony (formerly Tornado Killer) is "such a gentleman for our beginners", says Caroline.

He was originally re-educated to saddle through HRNZ's HERO programme (Harness Education and Re-homing Opportunities).

"We are also bringing on two new boys Reef and Sub."

Reef raced as Hit The Beach, a Somebeachsomewhere gelding that had two wins for Danni Alfeld, while Sub is a Vincent gelding who never made it to the races.

"They will be in full swing this season."

"Usually we give all the horses a season of mustering to iron out a few kinks before they go trekking just so they have the right walk, the right pace and the right mindset."

And Glen Lyon is big country.  

"We run 1600 head of cattle and most of our cattle mustering is done with horses."

"Cattle move very slowly and they react better with horses and riders than motorbikes - plus with diesel and petrol prices the way they are they are cheaper to run too."

Right now Huxley Gorge Horse trekking is gearing up for another summer with bookings as far ahead as March.

It's proving to be a successful sideline to the sheep and cattle business,  with Caroline and Penny hopeful it will only grow in the years ahead.

"Our clients love the story - that the horses have been re-homed and are given another life."