IONA COLLEGE EQUESTRIAN PROGRAMME 2017
IONA EQUESTRIAN Equestrian education has become an integral part of our competitive and recreational sports programme with an increasing number of students taking the reins. At Iona, riders of all levels are participating across disciplines including dressage, show jumping, in-hand and polo. In 2017, we launched IONA EQUESTRIAN in partnership with Golden Oaks Equestrian NZ a superior purpose-built equestrian facility. At Golden Oaks, the IONA EQUESTRIAN experience offers a year-round comprehensive programme, providing riders across all levels access to their horses during the school term as well as professional mentoring and training to develop their riding and horsemanship skills. Girls benefit from access to some of the country s top coaches and will develop personal rider development goals with our resident trainer and national eventing champion, Amanda Pottinger. The IONA EQUESTRIAN SADDLE UP lease and lesson programme is also available for those girls who do not have their own horse but are interested in learning to ride. Situated seven kilometres away, Golden Oaks is only a few minutes drive from the school and in close proximity to the Hawke s Bay Equestrian Park, home of the local Pony Club.
IONA EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES - GOLDEN OAKS EQUESTRIAN NZ Golden Oaks Equestrian NZ is a picturesque 16-acre property privately owned by Emma Hagen and family. Full-service agistment is available for girls who wish to bring their horse with them to Iona. Transportation for the girls to and from the college and supervision is part of the programme. GOLDEN OAKS FACILITIES INCLUDE: 20 huge well-ventilated stables Pure untreated pine shavings supplied Designated IONA EQUESTRIAN tack and feed room Hay dry storage 60m x 40m fully fenced, all-weather lime sand arena with floodlights & mirrors Painted set of show jumps 1 mile harrowed gallop/hacking track 600m hard track/hacking track Purpose-built high wood fenced lunging yard Training hunter jumps Dressage arena set Covered hot/cold wash bay Outdoor cold wash Seven covered cross-tie stalls Horse-safe (electric fenced) paddocks Pasture management Lounge/Kitchen with TV, toilet and laundry facilities
IONA EQUESTRIAN PROGRAMME Students of all levels are invited to participate in the IONA EQUESTRIAN programme. Coaching to match interest and skill level for riders from Year 7 to Year 13 is available. The programme is open to all Iona girls whether or not they have their own mount, or keep their own mount at home or by private arrangement. All girls have access to the Golden Oaks Equestrian Facility, the training programmes, the visiting instructors and outside competitions and activities. Weekly training sessions will provide riders with the very best opportunities to develop their riding skills. They will develop individual riding programs or work with established training plans. Resident trainer Amanda Pottinger is an excellent instructor and is capable of working with girls just starting out, through to the very highest level of competition. Her pleasant demeanour and encouraging manner have resulted in a high level of satisfaction and selfbelief from her students. In addition, there are regular lessons and clinics with visiting coaches Amanda Wilson and Tim Featherstone and Golden Oaks will arrange access to specialist trainers who are leaders in their discipline by special appointment.
SADDLE-UP LEASE AND LESSON A Lease and Lessons programme is available with suitable mounts for those girls who do not have their own horse but are interested in participating in the Iona Equestrian Programme. The Lease option provides a suitable mount for girls to essentially call their own. The Lesson opportunity provides girls with transportation and a one hour lesson on a suitable mount, including learning to catch correctly, groom, tack up and cool down their mount. These unique opportunities will be available to both Iona boarding and day girls. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT In addition to, and as important as rider development, is personal development. Being part of a like-minded team, which supports each member, no matter what level of ability and experience is a core part of the programme. Girls will be encouraged to set attainable goals to extend their abilities. Individual success will be celebrated within the group. Principles of sportsmanship, courtesy, dedication, and personal responsibility will develop the girls character.
OUR PEOPLE Emma Hagen Golden Oaks owner, mentor and supervisor Has enjoyed a lifelong association with horses Attained highest levels A (ridden) and H (Horsemanship) NZPC Certificates Winner of A1NZ Dressage Trophy Represented NZ Inter-Pacific Eventing Team Managed large equine boarding facilities in the USA Amanda Pottinger Resident trainer National Eventing Champion Daughter of well-known Olympian Tinks Pottinger This successful mother and daughter team work closely to produce and compete eventing horses throughout NZ Member of the NZ Talent Development Squad Graduated from Massey University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science Golden Oaks is home to Amanda s horses. Amanda Wilson Visiting Coach Creator of the TV series Keeping Up With The Kaimanawas. Prominent equestrian and horse trainer Recognised as one of NZ s most promising young riders having competed successfully to world cup level on her self-produced mounts Showtym Cassonova and Showtym Viking Her gentle yet effective approach to training makes her a favourite with many young riders. Tim Featherstone Visiting Coach Tim Featherstone from Redcliffs Equestrian has developed his own way of horsemanship. Treating horses as nature intended: barefoot, coverless and trained and ridden without a bit, without losing any competitive edge. Tim offers a monthly natural horsemanship class at Golden Oaks
FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Emma Hagen E: emhagen@xtra.co.nz or M: 0274 264 390