Willow & Mane

13/10/2026

Inaugural - Coffee, Groom & Barn Yarn

A relaxed, welcoming gathering for women who love horses and good company - no riding required.

Enjoy a coffee, groom a horse and connect with like-minded women around the barn.

$40 per person | THURSDAY 22 October 10am - sign up below

A little Thelwell humour — reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously in the saddle.

Numbers limited for safety and enjoyment.

https://forms.gle/juyzodvZGs7nMqD99 See less

12/10/2026

Here is the link to our latest newsletter - the gates are open for the 2026/2027 season!

https://www.willowmane.co.nz/campaigns/view-campaign/UzmrpFfCB_NUG1A01phWch00KYPh4PQn2MgqUt5I626FoO_whK7_DTbfdaFc0Li8KWw4YamLkaioRfee8wqdjWLR98a1rSno

18/09/2026

🐴 POP-UP TRAINING DAY 🐴

Queenstown Show Jumping Classic is excited to kick off the new season with a pop-up training day next weekend!

📅 Saturday 26 September
📍 Wakatipu Pony Club Grounds, Hunter Road
⏰ 10am start

Heights:
25cm • 45cm • 60cm • then 10cm increments as required

💰 Entry:
Members: $40
Non-members: $50
Per horse entered

Your entry includes 3 rounds, ground hire and administration fees.

Cash entry on the day.

Membership information for the upcoming season will be released shortly, with sign-up available on the day.

Please share this post and tag your jumping friends. We hope to see you there! 🏇

16/09/2026

We’re nearly back! 🐴🌿

After a well-earned winter break, the horses are rested, looking fabulous and coming back into work beautifully — and our new Willow & Mane facilities are feeling very much like home.

There are a few changes for 2026/27, including a little extra help behind the scenes and a new focus solely on experiences for experienced equestrians.

Season dates, availability and pricing coming soon. 🤍

My co-workers are looking forward to welcoming everyone back!

29/06/2026

The winter mahi

25/06/2026

We’re officially closed for winter - back operating August
❄️

05/05/2026

🐴 **Willow & Mane – Yard Support Role (Part-Time)**

We’re looking for a reliable, experienced horse person to join us at Willow & Mane, a boutique equine experience based near Lake Hayes.

This is a hands-on support role helping keep the yard running smoothly, including:
• Feeding, rugging, and general horse care
• Mucking out and paddock maintenance
• Cleaning and caring for tack and gear
• Providing cover and support when we are away

**About you:**
You’ll be confident and capable around a wide range of horses, including young stock, and understand that horse care happens in all weather. You bring a practical, can-do attitude, a sense of humour, and take pride in doing things properly. You’ll also be comfortable working on a busy, working beef farm and interacting appropriately with clients and visitors.

**Details:**
• 3–5 hours per week (flexible)
• Must have your own vehicle
• Experience with horses is essential (farm experience an advantage)

**Arrangement:**
This is a flexible, mutually beneficial arrangement that can include riding opportunities and/or a combination of benefits to suit.

If you’re dependable, experienced, and enjoy being part of a small, positive equine environment, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Message us directly to express interest or find out more.

24/04/2026

And that’s a wrap on a busy first week of term 2 - after a quiet break over the school holidays.

First decent frosts setting in and the days are noticeably shorter, lots of new clients with interesting backgrounds in and out of the saddle, roping clients in to do casting videos for our pet sheep for possible TVC jobs. It’s nothing if not varied around here.

Our new facilities are racing along with electrical work and interior lining starting - watch this space 💗💗

22/04/2026

I really like this - it’s what we look for, train for and help develop in all our horses.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Be7Y5bP13/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Can your horse pass a Warrant of Fitness?
Not just on a good day… but in real life.
Can they: ✔ stand quietly for the farrier
✔ lead calmly beside you
✔ load when asked
✔ cope with clipping, hosing, and handling
✔ stand still to be mounted
Because this is where things really matter.
Not in perfect training sessions…
but in everyday situations.
This is the checklist I use with every horse I work with.

And what I’ve found, over and over again, is this: Most “problem” horse aren’t actually problems. They’re horses with gaps in their training.

So instead of chasing behaviours,
we need to go back and fill in the foundation.
That’s exactly what this checklist is designed to highlight.

👉 How many boxes can your horse tick?
Drop your score below if you’re brave 😄
This forms a big part of my course:
Educated – From the Ground Up
Where I show you exactly how to train these basics properly,
and use them to solve real-world issues.
👇 Link in comments

04/04/2026