24/02/2026
Well, that was a weekend and a half.
Our small Mahutonga Army attended the NZ Gypsy and Drum Horse Show in Taupo.... we had 6 entered but ended up with 5 at the Show grounds as Kupe was a bit under the weather.
Showing horses is not just a matter of turning up at a show and winning ribbons.... it should (note the should) involve a dedicated cleaning timetable, a generous amount of saddle soap and some sort of broad schedule planned out (and if I'm honest a little bit of insanity) - most people start weeks or months before the show date. So you can imagine the severe talking to I was giving myself while I was pulling the two babies (two year old's) off the back paddock on Thursday afternoon for a clean up - luckily they do scrub up quite well and apart from Quests brassy tail. Things were going well, all was on track.
Then I got Pippen in, whos not been ridden for weeks nor had her mane and tail plaits redone for months - omg!! Luckily I did not bring her in first - I think would have seriously considered pulling out of the show. Think crazy birds nest on Crack!!
It took longer to undo the plaits in her tail than it took to do both of the babies, and i did contemplate hogging the mane - lazy aye!!
I got the body, mane and tail washed, mane detangled, but the tail was a disaster - copious amounts of detangler, conditioner and a $20 tube of purple human conditioner was deposited in tail and left on... 5 dreadlocks, purple tinged, heavy and hanging like rocks in socks - it was up to the tail gods now.
Next morning was the usual rush of getting paddocks sorted and getting myself packed - its no secret I'm not a camper, so sheets and duvet rather than a sleeping bag, and a proper pillow, my usual mattress was under a pile of blankets from the flooded beach house so it was the good old foam mattress for me... it wasn't as bad as I thought... clothes for the show, shoes, warm socks (a must) and spare jackets and blankets because Taupo in February could either be inferno or Antarctic - it was a little bit of both this weekend.
The horses loaded beautifully and Melissa and I left early(ish) on Friday thinking we'd have plenty of time to have a relaxed leisurely afternoon and a trip to Taupo Equestrian.... LOL!! What the heck was i thinking!! We arrived about 3pm and literally did not stop until dark.
We unloaded the horses and got them settled into their paddocks while we sorted ourselves out. We've found over the years of doing this our Drums way prefer to be outside than in the covered yards - they need room to move and roll and play... most yards and boxes are just a little bit small. The Taupo paddocks are perfect for a short stay, and we use covered yards when the weather is rubbish. Thankfully the weather was fine.
They all got another wash - and thank God Pippen's tail turned out beautiful.
Fish and chips for dinner and some hilarious stories from the young'uns' made Mel and I glad to be the wise old Owls for a change. Melissa's well set up for camping in her float and I could have kissed her when she asked if I wanted a hot cup of tea... seriously, there's not much a cup of tea can't fix. I have added camp cooker and kettle to my list of things to pack for next time - assuming there will be a next time.
We slept in the floats (horse trailer for those of you outside of NZ)... and I'm very surprised and pleased to say I thoroughly enjoyed it... a good camp chair helps a lot. Tui (the dog) had to come along with me as Gerry was also away for the weekend - she was in her element and loved it. Back to the foam mattress - has anyone ever slept on one and woken up refreshed and limber??? No? thought not - me neither. But it wasn't the end of the world... I usually take the trundler bed with its own inner sprung mattress (princess much??). I was warm, if not too warm - though that could have been a hot flush .... I did miss my ensuite - but had the official thunder bucket right there with me - although getting over Tui and under the bar then having a little wrestle with the lid while trying not to wet my pants was interesting - and have noted placement of said bucket should not be over an obstacle course.
I cant say we were up with the birds like some of the others because we weren't - 7am is a very reasonable time to be getting up on show day. Liam and Lauren turned up with breakfast.... was lovely.
We got the horses in at a good time. The Drums always follow the Purebred Gypsy Cobs who started at 9 so there was plenty of time.
At that time I got to have a little play with DebbieListers cracking Gypsy Stallion Rumble, what a cool little little chap he is... attitude without the arrogant... he knows he's cool too. He reminds me of a pocket version of Xander in his younger years. Debs done a great job of this boy - actually should note here that all the Stallions and colts (I think 5 or 6 alm up) that attended were beautifully behaved and the training thats been put into them shows... well done everyone. It was NoaSmythes Stallion Angus that took out the Champion Pure bred Gypsy cob in-hand this year - congratulations Noa and Chris. Just to note if any photos turn up with me and Rumble ... If it looks like it am in my pajamas... you would be correct, I'd not got changed yet or done my hair, though i had put sunscreen on which slipped off as soon as I started to heat up - there was more than one 'ohhh you look tired' - apologies that's just my normal camping/menopause/not had a shower/put my makeup on/ still in my PJ's face - LOL!! Unfortunately I missed letting McKenzie know that the Partbreds were starting so Mahutonga Make a Wish missed all of her classes - such a shame as she is maturing beautifully.
Unfortunately the Drums had a long wait before they were on - perhaps something we need to look at. So they had a good couple of hours of being all dressed up and nowhere to go. Quest and Wish had never been in the indoor and its a big scary environment by itself without all the other horses or PA system. Both had eyes on stalks to begin with but came back to their handlers soon enough.... Liam with Quest, Fran with Wish, Melissa with Chester, Georgia with Pippen - who gave up her ride on Jess to McKenzie - minus Kupe who was scratched. 5 Drum Horses in an arena full of Gypsy Cobs makes an impression and they were all very impressive.
Unfortunately Chester pulled up lame in his first run out... gutted!! He would have been in the running to knock Bellecara Royal Jester off her princess perch this year, Chester has gone from strength to strength this past year - he had hacked out beautifully the night before with the others - not a single indication he might pull up lame that's the nature of the game though isn't it- bloody horses.
I bought Jester as weanling and she has done the Taupo show since it started... and taken a garland home every time - she is the master of 'bringing her A game" and seldom fails to bring it... she's a quirky cow at the best of times at home - currently with Georgia in Taupo teaching kids lessons about humility (especially the cocky ones), perseverance (try leading these horses past a feed bin) and having fun (she fits 4 kids on her back), she is Georgia and Dan's do anything, go anywhere - trekking, hunting (shoot from her), off track farming 4x4 vehicle. She took both in-hand and ridden - the judges saying her 'maturity' set her above the others. Like i say - Queen of the A Game.
Pippen at 5 is also just coming into her own - a powerhouse without a dirty bone in her body, just a massive work ethic and love of having a job to do... she got away as we were loading to leave and Gerry - madness- in jandles waltzes over to lead her back - she is so good.
Quest and Wish are now rising 3!! can you believe that?! They will be mouthed over the next two weeks in prep for the Morrinsville A&P Show on the 7th March - come down to the Rec grounds and say hi!
MOSTLY though I need to say a massive thank you to all my wonderful helpers - who over the years have made this possible. The purple hands club (membership free).
Also a big thank you to the NZGCA and all those involved with putting on this show, all the wonderful people who enjoy this madness and support us (NZGCA) and the International Drum Horse Association (IDHA) who without them - we would have no Drums.
