Our Team
Samantha and Nathan started Wanaka Horse Trekking in 2023. Since then we've had many amazing team members, dedicated guides and fabulous horses. Currently we have 16 horses, most of them are lovely standardbreds. Horses and their welfare are our biggest priority over anything else in the business.
Horse riding at West Wanaka station is the dream, which we like to share with you. Connecting with a beautiful animal, exploring the remote nature, and doing something active. Besides that it is very special to have made so many friendships with people who have come for rides, connecting together, sharing life stories, and having a good time together.
Horses
Archie
The dude
Ben
The man
Bentley
The dressage stud to be
Big Boy
The boss
Captain
The fast one
Frank
The goof
Harry
The water horse
Kevin
The sweet one
Monty
The mischief
Nekko
The handsome
Ralphie
The cruisy one
Ricky
The brave one
West
The fastest of them all
Horse Team
The real stars of "Wanaka Horse Trekking"
We have an amazing team of horses, who we truly love so much. They are all geldings with ages ranging from 5 until 15. Most of them are "Standardbreds" a racing breed used for harness racing. They make excellent trekking horses, and we hand pick them for their amazing personally, and most of them have the most fun canter / gallop. We also have some other breeds, but to us they are all the same and we love them equally.
The Boss
"Big Boy"
8-year old "Standardbred"
Big Boy is one of the biggest of them all, and he is one of the "alpha" horses. However he is also the slowest, and would probably rather just stand there and eat his hay all day. However he looks amazing after the beginners who are not afraid to be as bossy as he is. Often the men will ride him, and love him. He doesn't do too many fast rides, but when he does you sure have a good time.
Tech Lead
"Bronson"
12-year old "Standardbred"
Bronson is a grey Standardbred which is quite unique. Because he is grey the others are sometimes a bit mean to him. He is a nice forward moving horse who doesn't prefer to be up front. He is a nice horse for int / exp riders just because of him being bullied a bit while on the line up. He deserves to be loved a bit more by us humans for that reason. He sure is an eye catcher!
Our unicorn of the herd
Product Manager
Harry
12-year old "Standardbred"
Harry is our water horse, he absolutely loves it. He looks more like a quarterhorse, and he is a bit smaller which lots of people like. He is also incredibly cute, and loves a kiss on the nose. He is more of a "loner" in the herd, and therefore can be a bit mean to his companions while riding. Sometimes we think he is the "mare" of the herd.
Product Designer
Monty
5-year old Stationbred
Monty is a cheeky and very smart little horse. He escapes the paddock when he can, when he is in the back of the ride he pretends he is tired. Put him in front and he is all of a sudden fast. He is the littlest of them all. He does things on his terms. Super comfy to ride, loves a cuddle and his food, and has a big personality.
Customer Support Lead
Frank
5 year old "Standardbred"
Frank is one of the youngest, only 5 but we have had him since 2 years. Someone lied about his age, but because he was so sweet we decided to keep him and take it easy on him. He is the clown of the crew, wants to eat everything that he can grab. He looks after lots of beginners, but you do need to pay attention, otherwise he is too smart and will test you a bit.
HR Lead
Ben
15 years "Standardbred"
Ben is a beautiful horse who is amazing with first time riders, and the very experienced. He is very forward, loves to be up front, and to go fast if you led him. We wouldn't say he is the bravest of them all, even though he wants himself to be. He is super comfortable to ride, like a rocking horse some say. Just curious what happens if I keep on writing about Ben