North Canterbury News: January 23, 2020

NEWS
4 The North Canterbury News, January 23, 2020
Fjord horses bound for festival
By RACHEL MACDONALD
The Vikings are coming to Norsewood
next month, with two Norwegian Fjord
horses from North Canterbury leading
the charge.
The event is the Viking Festival
Norsewood NZ, being held in the
Manawatu village of the same name at
the end of February.
This celebration of all things Norse
aims to raise funds for the township,
which was founded by Norwegian
settlers in 1872, at the same time as the
Danes established Dannevirke 20km
away.
Trucked north for the weekend to
LAWNMASTERESTATE ESTATE SPECIAL
Save $100 on the Lawnmaster
Estate range *
Check
Out These
Features:
• NZ Made
• Ball Bearing Wheels
ESTATEECO READYSTART
• Ready Start Engines (no priming)
• Quality Alloy Chassis with LIFETIME Warranty
• 4Year Engine Warranty
• Oiled &Fully Assembled
*Excludes the Estate 400
360 FlaxtonRoad,Rangiora
Ph 03 313 5563
www.kingsmowersheating.co.nz
2248413
2187722
feature in the packed schedule of events
will be Norwegian Fjords Mimi and
Paula, owned by West Eyreton's
Gabrielle Mathieson.
She brought the first Norwegian Fjord
into the country 25 years ago and has
been breeding them ever since, under
the Fjord Horse New Zealand banner.
The same breed as Sitron, Prince
Hans' horse in Frozen,they represent
one of the world's oldest and purest
horse breeds. They are used both under
saddle and in harness.
‘‘When Imoved from Norway to
Cambridge, in the North Island, Iended
up with two daughters who rode, and the
only horses available came off the racing
track.
‘‘I didn't want thoroughbreds for them,
though; Iwanted something calmer and
more sensible.
‘‘I had encountered Fjords in Norway.
These are the horses the Vikings rode
into battle and loved them for their
temperament, hardiness and social
nature.''
They are not ideal as afirst pony. They
are small draught horses, so are very
strong and well suited to more
experienced riders.
They make great hacks and pony club
horses, with ahuge jump on them, she
says.
‘‘The only issue is not feeding them too
much.
‘‘They're seriously low maintenance,
so they don't need hard feed or covering,
and you can leave them for months
between rides and know that they'll be
fine when you get back up there.’’
The Fjords are expected to lead the
opening ceremonial processions in
Norsewood on February 29 and March 1
Hardy breed ... Gabrielle Mathieson, from
West Eyreton, breeds Norwegian Fjord
horses, made famous by the Vikings and the
movie Frozen.Two of her herd are heading
north for aViking festival in Norsewood.
PHOTO: RACHEL MACDONALD
for the festival, which will feature axethrowing,
warrior maidens, archery and
music.
Gabrielle's two horses will be joined
by apair from Waipara, one from New
Plymouth, and another one from
Masterton.
Jumping day
to aid animals
When Arabella Jarman takes her
horse Ice Warrior out for atraining
run on Sunday, she willbethinking
about animals affected by Australia’s
bushfires.
Arabella, who is an up­and­coming
criminal and familylawyer and cochairsthe
Waimakariri Youth
Council, has jumpedinto actionto
raise funds for displaced animals in
Australia.
She has organised
ashowjumping
training event for
local ridersand
spectatorsatthe
Birchbrook
Equestrian Centre
on JelfsRoad,
Woodend Beach, on
Sunday.
Kicking off at 9am
with ajumping
courseset at 30cm,
riderswill pay $10 to
have the horse on
the grounds and a
donation of $5 to
jump the course.
The jumps will go
up in 10cm
Training run
... Arabella
Jarman with Ice
Warrior.
incrementsasthe day progresses.
There will also be ahorse­themed
raffle, with all proceeds donated.
Arabella wants to thank the centre
ownerswho are donatinghalf of all
groundfees on the day,and local firms
whichhave donated raffleitems.
Spectatorsare encouraged to enjoy
the day for agoldcoin donation.
e-bikes &scooters
12 MONTHS INTEREST FREE *conditions apply
THE BIGGEST
E-BIkE,
E-ScooTEr,
E-SkaTEBoard
STorE IN NZ
NEED YOUR BIKE
SERVICED FOR
SUMMER?
On-site bike mechanic
48 hour turnaround
484 Cranford Street
Phone 03 925 8987
Simply Furniture now trading
upstairs on mezzanine floor.
Lehe S1 eLectric Bike
Yellow -Stylish, ideal for the town
commuter. The 5.8ah LG lithium battery
gives you up to 60km range and built in
Bluetooth speaker means you can cruise
to work in style.
JuST $1,999
Montari-e Sport eLectric Bike
With Shimanos reliable 9speed
components,wide, grippy 27.5inchtyres
and alight and tough alloy framethe
Montari-ESport provides easyhandlingand
is perfectfor both on or light off-road riding.
JuST $3699.99
StrikeeriDe 910 eLectric Bike
Atrue mountain bike with all the beneifts
of pedal assits. Thefull suspension
and Twinloc 3-mode lockout maintains
controlled traction in all terrains.
waS$9399...SaVE $1400
Now JuST $7999
For our FuLL rAnGE viSiT our WEBSiTE: www.emegastore.co.nz
Mercane
WiDeWheeL
e- Scooter
1000W Dual motor.
Topspeed of 40Km/h,
range of 45km.
JuST $1799
LivaLL Bh51M
– neo heLMet
The BH51M
neo is the new
flagship model
from LivALL .
JuST $249