After the competition season is over the thing to look forward to is most definitely hunting. This year was the Dannevirke Hunt Clubs Centennial celebrations - and a good number of Maramarua members went down for the week. We had a fantastic time both socially at the different functions including the Ball, and a great time on the hunt field too. Unfortunately the weather gods were not shining on us and the ground was certainly wet under foot. We had a cancelation of one of the Meets which was disappointing but understandable - there was some huge flooding in the Hawke's Bay area during that week...There is a photo below of a few of the gang down at Dannevirke.

Murphy my hunter was a superstar - especially on the last day when we were right up the front and jumping full wires all day. Disaster struck the next day however when I went to get Murphy out of the paddock and he was on three legs - one very sore boy. The vets diagnosed a Check Ligament issue - a very common compliant for hunters jumping out of the mud. So that's the end of the Murphmeister for the season.

I have been lucky enough to be lent a lovely stylish hunter called "Jaffa" from Tracey and Bridget Van Gessel in Pokeno. I will start hunting him in a few days time. I also had a brilliant day in the South Island hunting with my good friends Bronny Scott, Sam Wilson and Aliesha Deans. Aliesha lent me her prized possession - the wonderful big gelding "Commodore" who incidently was Runner Up Saddle Hunter of the Year at the Horse of the Year Show. We hunted with the Brakenfield pack - one of New Zealand's oldest - and a great time was had by all.

I have also been busy traveling around the country teaching clinics. I particularly enjoyed being invited to be a guest lecturer at Massey University on the topic of Conflict Behaviours, their causes and cures. The day started in the classroom with a powerpoint presentation and then we moved to the Large Animal Teaching Unit (LATU) and I gave practical demonstrations on overshadowing clipper shy horses, trailer loading, and dealing with tension issues under saddle. many thanks to Rachael Stratton for orgainising my time with the students. The photos below are some taking at the practical deomonstration.