Fields Nominations Results

Meet the Team

Natalie Gameson
Education & Training Manager
DDI +64 3 964 1193
Mob +64 21 936 155
Email [email protected]

Natalie has been in the Education & Training department for the past 15 years. Since starting in this position Natalie has gained her National Certificate in Adult Literacy Education as well as her National Certificate in Adult Education and Training (Level 5). As well as gaining these qualifications Natalie is on the Board of the NZ Equine Education Trust, the NZ Equine Research Foundation and the Primary ITO Industry Partnership Group.


Natalie has been involved in the Harness Industry for a big part of her life, starting out with working holiday jobs for trainers and yearling preparers, then moving on to be shop manager at Garrards Horse & Hound Christchurch. Along with her husband Jamie they run Dunvegan Lodge Yearling Preparation and have been preparing yearlings for the Standardbred Yearling Sales for over 25 years. Jamie also runs a full-time business as a harness trainer, training and racing a number of horses of which Natalie assists with. Together they also breed, own, and race many standardbreds and have just got back into Thoroughbred ownership.


Natalie’s background in the equine industry (she is also an equestrian) ensures she has the experience and knowledge to tutor our harness trainees so they can follow their career paths in their chosen industry.

Georgie Bolton
Education & Training Co-ordinator
Tel +64 3 964 1200 ext 844
Mob +64 27 309 1765
Email [email protected]

Georgie has been in the Education and Training Co-ordinator position for the past 10 years. Since starting in this position Georgie has gained her New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5).


Prior to working for HRNZ Georgie spent 7 years in the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry at both Berkley Stud in Canterbury and Trelawney Stud up North in Cambridge. Georgie’s time spent at Trelawney also included travelling to Australia with yearlings for the Sydney Easter Inglis Sales.


In 2012 Georgie was awarded the Irish National Stud Scholarship. She completed 6 months of extensive study in Kildare, Ireland and came away with the gold medal and a Diploma in Breeding and Business Management. Georgie is passionate about the Harness Racing Industry and is heavily involved in the yearling sales come February.


Georgie’s underlying passion for horses is continued outside of work. She regularly competes in all equestrian disciplines including showjumping and eventing. Georgie also manages the HERO rehoming programme and is a HERO educator.


Georgie annually attends the Karaka Premier Thoroughbred Yearling Sales. Georgie’s desire to help provide the Cadets with a sound base of equine knowledge ensures they have the required knowledge and skills to progress through their qualifications and succeed in their careers.

 

Philippa Howells
Northern Education & Training Co-ordinator
Mob +64 21 655 151
Email philippa@hrnz.co.nz

Pip has previously been in Education & Training for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. She holds her National Certificate in Adult Teaching (Level 4), as well as a Bachelor of Business.


Pip has an extensive equine background in racing, breeding and equestrian. She is currently one of New Zealand’s top show jumping course designers and internationally qualified as an FEI Level 3. Previously she competed Eventing (up to 4* level) and Show Jumping (up to 1.40m) and came through the Pony Club system as a young person.

Pip is well involved in the racing industry, albeit more in thoroughbreds, as a licensed trainer and as a breeder. The family farm is Ainsley Downs Stud and has been the producer of many successful racehorses, including Mongolian Khan (dual Horse of the Year).


Pip is looking forward to working with Harness Racing to upskill their trainees and learn more about this exciting code. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and helping other progress through their learning for their chosen career path.

Industry Information