Committee Profiles

Fred was born in the early 1940’s and from the age of about 12 Fred has been involved with work horses and for the past thirty years been a supporter of the Waikato Heavy Horse Association. 
Fred is also a council member of the Clydesdale Horse Society of New Zealand and a life member of the Shire Horse Society of England. He is a qualified tool maker by trade and has been in the engineering trade for 55 years.
Fred breeds show and work Clydesdale horses and keeps about 12 heavy horses ranging from 6 purebred Clydesdales, 4 Shires and 2 Clydesdale Shire cross horses.
He shows the Clydesdales at all the local shows and some not so local. Ploughing with horses is another of Fred’s interests and will be found travelling all over New Zealand to compete. At home in summer and winter Fred uses a horse to feed out every day.

David began working on a dairy farm as a cadet in 1955 using modern equipment although some was horse drawn equipment converted for the tractor.
In 1958 he spent a season at Rewarewa near Otorohanga. It was a steeper farm where a horse was used for feeding out and carting posts etc. It was a small cart with wooden wheels.
David took over his own property in 1959 as a going concern which included a small tractor which he still has. However, pulling trailer loads of silage and hay across heavy country in winter conditions forced him to realise why his two immediate neighbours used horses for feeding out in winter.
David found an old farmer who had a horse he wasn’t using which he obtained along with harness and sledge and fed out with various other horses for the next 40 years.
The Heavy Horse Association was formed in the late 70’s and David recollects going to a field day on Ben Coopers Property on Kainui Road near Taupiri on the 8th December 1979 and decided to join the association. Having been mainly self taught he found the association a big help as older horsemen gave talks along with demonstrations at field days and you met other people who were keen on horses.
David has been a committee member for some time and can see the value of training field days to help newcomers and those with problem horses. David is always willing to share what knowledge he has gained over the years and always welcome genuine enquiries. David has educated several young horses and finds it rewarding. David am still keen to see the working horse in use as horses still have a place in farming for those who are willing to take the time to use horses in the busy world of today.

After years of nagging her parents, Jacquie’s childhood dream of owning a horse was achieved when the family emigrated from Switzerland to New Zealand and started farming just out of Te Awamutu. Her parents purchased a 4 year old brumby for her 15th birthday and Jacquie has owned horses ever since.
Jacquie studied Veterinary Science at Massey University and after graduating has practiced throughout the Waikato and currently practices in Cambridge.
Jacquie enjoys riding, working, showing and breeding Clydesdales. She also enjoys restoring and making draft horse harness.

Gareth and wife Jacquie own and operate Blackwood Clydesdale stud at Karapiro. Gareth works as an IT professional in Cambridge and enjoys working, riding, showing, and breeding registered Clydesdales. He can be found at most shows and ploughing matches throughout the Waikato supporting the Waikato Heavy Horse Association. Gareth also enjoys restoring horse drawn vehicles and implements.

Dan grew up on a farm and first rode at a very young age and has always had a great love of horses.
He bought his first Clydesdale named 'Snow' in the early 1980's and has bred Clydesdales ever since.
Dan and his team of Clydesdales are a regular sight at Devonport, giving rides to the public.
Dan is also actively involved with providing draft horses for movie set work and has featured in films and movies such as; Hercules, Zena Warrior Princess, River Queen, The Last Samurai, and The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.