Jody Hartstone and Whisper- Equestrian Sports New Zealand

Riding her black stallion Whisper at the Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, Raglan’s Jody Hartstone won dressage horse for the second consecutive year on Sunday 21st.  She moved one step closer to her goal of representing New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky later in 2010.

Dressage horse of the year results were:

• Jody Hartstone (Raglan) Whisper 1,
• Vanessa Way (New Plymouth) KH Arvan 2.

The Kelt Capital Horse of the Year was held in Hastings from 16th March to 21st March.   The event aims to provide one huge event in which competitors, young and old, experienced and inexperienced, and from all equestrian disciplines, can compete. Being held at one magnificent venue, its aim is to create a true celebration of the equestrian art. The mission is also to provide Hawke’s Bay people with an event that they would be proud of and happy to support.” With this aim in mind, The Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show has grown to become one of the largest and most prestigious annual Equestrian Events in the Southern Hemisphere.

Alexis Poulter at the World Junior Champs - Photo Cory Scott

Alexis Poulter of Raglan is looking to add a law degree to her impressive surfing achievements, and to do so she’s become the first competitive surfer ever to win a prestigious Hillary Scholarship at the University of Waikato.

Poulter has been winning surfing competitions since she was 13 and last year won the women’s U18 national competition. She’s one of about 50 new scholars on the Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme, which awards scholarships to academic high achievers who show significant leadership qualities and also excel in sport or in the creative and performing arts.

Poulter found out about the scholarships from a teacher at Raglan Area School, where she studied at the Surf Academy. Waikato seemed the obvious choice as she can continue to live in Raglan and commute to classes.

The Hillary Scholarships provide full university course fees while studying at Waikato, comprehensive support for the recipients’ academic, sporting and/or arts activities, and additional support in leadership and personal development.

Under the Hillary programme, Poulter will work with Larry Fisher, former New Zealand team member, now New Zealand Junior Team Coach and also Raglan Surfing Academy coach.

“I’m pretty stoked to get all my fees paid,” says Poulter, who’ll be taking five papers in her first semester as well as putting in time for gym training each week in preparation for the international Grom Search finals being held in Australia in April. There she’ll be pitted against the best up-and-coming young surfers from eight countries.

Poulter says she’s lucky because the main surf competition season runs from November to February, during the uni summer break. And during the year, most competitions are at weekends, so she’ll have plenty of time for studying. She aims to complete her LLB in four years. “I really want to go into sports law,” she says. “And I want to go as far as I can with surfing. My aim is to make the Worlds team for the Open in October – they only take two girls from the whole of New Zealand.”

Press Release: University of Waikato – March 11, 2010

Mobile BreastScreen unit in Wainui Rd carpark with Mt Karioi in background

BreastScreen Aotearoa was back at work today in the carpark in Wainui Raod.  A power surge on Monday knocked out the electronic equipment.  Rapid repairs allowed the mobile unit to return to Raglan today.  It is will be there until mid February.

The mobile unit is in the Wainui Rd carpark next to the Raglan Fire Station.  Phone 858 0980 between 8am and 4.20pm Mon to Fri for an appointment.

Breastscreen Aotearoa were this morning all set to begin a series of appointments for breast screen X-rays in their mobile unit stationed in the Wainui Road carpark.  But a power spike damaged their equipment.  They have postponed appointments for this week until the week commencing 1st Feb. The mobile X-ray equipment will be repaired by then.  Women with appointments are being contacted.  WEL Networks staff were seen in Wainui Road this afternoon investigating.