Port Hills Polo Club - PHPC

Please vote for Port Hills Polo Club for 20 years of Fundraising for Ronald McDonald House

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Please vote for Port Hills Polo Club for their 20 years of service to Ronald McDonald House under Community Volunteering Applicants

People's choice is now open for voting! Use the link to go the website and cast your vote in for who you want to win the People's Choice Award at the Selwyn Awards 2025!

The Selwyn Awards 2025, Proudly Presented by Carter Group
https://www.selwynawards.co.nz/voting-peoples-choice-3

In an exciting update, the Southern Parallel Campus is building its core team, and we are honoured to announce two highly qualified appointments, who will work closely with our CEO in establishing Stage 1 of the SPC Project, Southern Parallel Equine Centre (SPEC) building on the SPC moto of ‘do it once, do it right”.
Working closely with our CEO as Board directors will be Tullis Matson founder and CEO of Stallion AI Services based in Shropshire, UK and Daniel Carr founder and Director of Arenamend based in Wellington, Florida, USA. Tullis and Dan will work closely with the SPC Team on key aspects in the establishment of SPEC offering their extensive expertise and advice ensuring the delivery of a gold standard centre.

TULLIS MATSON: Tullis is Managing Director of sister companies, Stallion AI Services (key SPEC partner), Elite Kennel Fertility and also company Director at Gemini Genetics. Tullis Matson plays a pivotal role in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in advanced breeding technologies. He also serves as Founder & Chair of Nature’s SAFE, where his passion for conservation of endangered species is driving constant innovation. Tullis brings decades of experience to the table, combining deep industry knowledge with a forward-thinking approach which fits closely with the SPEC vision. When Tullis is not busy with all the work he does for these companies, you can usually find Tullis enjoying his favourite hobby, skydiving!

DANIEL CARR: Dan is a respected leader in the equestrian business, with over 30 years of experience overseeing the design and construction of arenas as well as FEI 5-Star facilities across America and Mexico and managing prestigious events, including the USET Foundation in Gladstone and the ArenaMend Classic.
He has advanced the industry through the development of sand-based and turf riding surfaces, and the creation of innovative, eco-friendly solutions. His significant contributions embody his commitment to sustainability and quality in the equestrian field. Carr's unparalleled expertise and forward-thinking approach make him a pivotal figure in the future of equestrian facilities and events. Dan will bring the advice and knowledge and assist the SPEC team in establishing a gold standard centre.

Supporting the board will be the newly formed SPEC ADVISORY PANEL in the months and years ahead, the panel will work closely with the SPEC team providing sector knowledge, advisory services and future collaboration in the many events SPEC will convene. We are very pleased and honoured to welcome our Ashburton, regional and Australasian advisors:

KEVIN HANSON – Show jumping event advisory and course design, Kevin has a lifetime of in-depth involvement in the equestrian world both from a competitive as well as an administrative viewpoint. Kevin represented New Zealand in show jumping in the 1970’s and 80’s, following which he became involved in the administrative side of the sport by qualifying as an international course designer; one of only five in New Zealand.
Kevin has designed courses throughout the world, including the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and Athens in 2004.
He has been both President and Chair of Equestrian Sports New Zealand from 2001 – 2007. Kevin was part of a small group of equestrian enthusiasts who initiated the transfer of the Horse of the Year Show from Auckland to Hawke’s Bay in 1998 and from there managed the event until 2015. Kevin is responsible for bringing the Horse of the Year to SPEC.

KERRI PARKER – Australian Champion Show Jumping Warmblood Breeder. Kerry followed her driving passion for showjumping by focusing on breeding and producing showjumping horses which will be competitive on the international stage.
Kerry spent years studying the pedigrees of the most successful horses in the world. One thing was immediately apparent - that there are very few showjumpers that have been successful at the highest level that have come about by accident. Most of the top horses are purpose bred, and virtually ALL have siblings or close relations in their dam lines which are also successful in top sport. Taking this on-board Kerry promptly realised that it was not possible to consistently breed competitive 1.60m horses from your average mare, nor from a family of proven 1.40m horses. With this in mind she has sought the very best mares from top sport families around the world. All successful at 1.60m level.

This focus paid off and despite only breeding a few foals each season, Cera Performance Horses has horses winning major Grand Prix Showjumping competitions all over the world including here horses winning CSI 5* Grand Prix around the globe. It is Kerri’s experience and expertise in choosing the right bloodstock to ensure SPEC breeds and develops champions.

ANNETTE SCOTT – FEI Show Jumping Judge and National Sport Administrator. Annette Scott has had a long and proud association working as a journalist-photographer for Farmers Weekly since 2004, and more recently its associated Agripreneur ventures under the Global HQ umbrella. Her 40-plus years career in communications has included varying facets of media in provincial and community newspaper publications, radio, specialist rural and agribusiness media, and equestrian journalism, as well as event marketing and management. A born and raised farming gal, who has lived life-long in the Ashburton District, she is actively associated with farming in the region. When not in her office, she can usually be found soaking up time with family and friends, or “away horsing around” following her passion for horses – these days as an International FEI jumping judge and national sport administrator, more so than a riding competitor. Annette will work closely with SPEC to develop a long-term relationship with the FEI and advise the marketing and communications team on media reporting.

KATE BIRD – Past President Ashburton AREA ESNZ Show Jumping & Show Hunter Group -2023-2025. Kate has worked closely with our CEO in the research and development of the SPEC Project providing regional and national knowledge and advice. Kate and her family have a long history in championship show jumping. Kate is supporting daughter Kimberley Bird a NZ national champion who now successfully competes in the USA National circuit. Kim is based in Ocala, Florida and has quickly become a sought-after show jumper horse trainer. Kate has a long history in mentoring young riders and was the President of the Rakaia Pony Club. Kate will continue to work with SPEC and provide advisory services focused on mentoring and training young riders to championship level.

GENDIE and MIKE ASKIN
Gendie and Mike Askin are owners of Askin Equestrian based in the Ashburton region, an established training facility catering to a wide range of rider and horse abilities. Gendie will bring years of knowledge and experience to SPEC in show jumping and development of champions.

Mike is President of the South Canterbury Polo Club, he will bring to the panel his in-depth knowledge of the regional polo clubs, competition and polo pony breeding, training and advisory services in the development of SPEC’s Polo division.

We will have further exciting announcements in the coming months as we move towards commencement of construction. We are told that good things come to those who wait but we never expected our patience and commitment to be so thoroughly tested, just as well we have been well trained to jump hurdles and fend off negative ninnies. Onwards and upwards we go…...

New Zealand Polo Welcome to the official website of the New Zealand Polo Association

Congratulations
Port Hills on winning the Gould cup 2025 today
James Reid, Mark Hutchison, Lachie Appleby and Sam Martin.

Gould Cup draw for Saturday at Omihi Starting at 11am.

A suceesful weekend was held at Port Hills on the 8/9 of March 2025.
The Radford Cup 6 goal- was won by Port Hills - Oscar Power, Lachie Appleby, Mark Hutchison and Gareth Mackenzie.
The Calder Cup 2 Goal- Port Hills- Phoebe Davies, Emma Harris, Charlie Somerville and Ru Barlow. Team Coach Alan Calder
The Geddes Plate 0 Goal- was won by Christchurch-Charlie Wood, Annabel Holland, Lucy Wilkinson and George Williams
Best playing ponies
6 Goal - Dean Geddes-Uma played by Lachie Appleby
2 Goal- Greg Skene- Google
0 Goal- Simon Broom - Cookie
Best string of ponies in the 6 Goal- Oscar Power
Grooms Prize - Lea Harrison
Thank you Geoff Soper for the fantastic photos

Tomorrow’s Draw and Duties -please find your own replacements if unable to do your allocated job.

The Future Stars of Polo enjoying Chukkas at Port Hills today