Te Kao Horse Sports Return: Reviving Tradition for Future Generations

More than a hundred people gathered over the weekend at a farm in Te Kao, New Zealand, to witness the revival of traditional horse sports, an initiative spearheaded by local farmer Robert Everitt.

Everitt, of the Te Aupōuri iwi, organized the event in an effort to recapture a pastime that flourished in the region during the 1980s. “We’re trying to bring something back, like back in the late 80s,” he said, recalling a time when Te Rangi Station hosted large-scale horse sports days. “We used to have a substantial horse sports day at Te Rangi Station, and it just died all away. To get all these young ones back on the horse is awesome. We got all ages here, the next generation, even the little wee ones. It’s cool.”

The return of horse sports isn’t simply about recreation; it represents a reconnection to a cultural heritage where horses were central to daily life, according to kaumātua Apiata Paraone. “Hoki ngā mahara (I think back to) way back in the day [when a] horse was our main resource, main transport… I think when I was a kid everyone knew how to ride a horse cause on our farms they had no quads, had no bikes so a horse was the main transport to getting around,” Paraone explained.

The event featured a range of competitions, including an obstacle course, barrel racing, pulling races, and a horse rescue event where riders raced to collect partners. Rider Aramaera Wiki described the event as a positive experience for families. “Ko te painga he akiaki i ngā taitamariki, o tātou nei whānau, kia kake hōiho ngā kaupoi. Nā reira, āe, he rā tino pai tēnei mō mātou.” (“What’s good about We see that it encourages young kids, our own families, to ride like cowboys. So, yes, it’s a great day for us.”)

Everitt envisions the horse sports day becoming an annual tradition, with younger generations taking the lead in its continuation. “This will end up being an annual thing. I’ve got young boys that are in their 30s – they’re keen to carry it on. They’re here today and I realize they’ll carry it on. Gimme two more years and [then] they can run the reins. It’ll be all up to them. They’ll keep it alive.”