Indoor Arena Proposal TEN has long promoted an indoor arena for the North Taranaki area. NP Riding for Disabled was an obvious stakeholder but they decided to cover their existing arena in Westown. The light-coloured roof has vastly improved their rider and volunteer experience. The arena is open-sided and peaceful against a leafy bush backdrop and horses work well there. It is open for hireage after school, on weekends and school holidays. To inquire, contact Kevin Nielsen 027 273 7534.
TEN then worked for an arena at Inglewood and Waitara Pony Clubs but that has not been possible for various reasons. We now favour an equestrian development at Hickford Park, New Plymouth, but before any real progress can be made, NPDC requires an Equestrian Strategy. We are working hard on this. And TEN also wants to korero with iwi and hapu before taking Hickford Park any further.
Stratford Equine Park is progressing and the A&P Assoc now need representatives from equestrian groups to make it happen. Meanwhile they will open the land for bridle trails in February 2022.
Equestrian Tourism TEN would like to see our Bell Block to Waitara Coastal Walkway extension include horses alongside it. The Kaitake Trail part of the Taranaki Crossing on the maunga is also a potential ride to give us a 'mountain to sea' experience. TEN visualises 'Taranaki Equestrian Week' where people come from all round NZ and ride in our forest, on our beaches, and beside our mountain. Wouldn't that be amazing?
Taranaki Tracks and Trails Group This is a partnership of Sport Taranaki ,and the Regional and District Councils of Taranaki. TEN has promoted horse riding and trail sharing to this Group. Expanding the Pukeiti tracks is in the pipeline which would give riders as good a Taranaki Maunga experience as you could find. Any trails with good lines of sight and wide enough for a walker/cyclist to pass a horse, will be in TENs line of sight too.
Lake Mangamahoe - Bridle Zone This is a 130ha council -owned forest on the outskirts of New Plymouth where horse-riders have priority and cyclists are banned. TEN continually upgrades the tracks and liaises with Council to keep it safe. We hold a popular Quiz Night each year to fund the maintenance but we are now looking to secure a Strategic Partnership with NPDC, like the Mountain Biking Group do, to develop the Zone even further. Imagine a covered seating area in the carpark where you could socialise with friends after your ride? Watch this space... Balsom Park, Mangorei Road, New Plymouth Equestrians living in this area are now able to ride in the beautiful Balsom Park reserve, as long as they can ride to the park itself. Dinky Wynyard (021 166 9910) is the Balsom Park coordinator. Keys are sold for an annual sub of $25 and initial bond of $30. Subs are due on 1 November each year.