WEDNESDAY,MARCH 15, 2023
Wairarapa’s locally owned community newspaper
INSIDE: TRAILBLAZER’S LEGACY IMMORTALISED P10
Kingdom Animalia P8
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The Reign of
Princess Julia Mahony
julia.mahony@age.co.nz
Inside a circle of native trees, a 33-year-old horse called Princess carries riders to a state of peace and relaxation once a week. Steady and docile, Princess was gifted to Wairarapa Riding for the Disabled [RDA] by Lynne Woodhouse of Pongoroa and, for at least 15 years, the mare has graciously done her duty. “Princess is the matriarch of the team,” Wairarapa RDA branch committee member Dianne Gates said. The mare is a former packhorse and was involved in Pony Club and trekking before her life at RDA. Her teammates include two Kaimanawa ponies. RDA sits on picturesque land behind Masterton
Undisputed royalty of Wairarapa RDA, 33-year-old Princess does her duty every week. PHOTOS/JULIA MAHONY
AFC football club. Every Thursday during the school term, the eight ponies and horses are brought from their paddock to the stables by a team of red-shirted volunteers. The complex is idyllic, with outdoor and indoor arenas linked by small
buildings including a tack room for riding equipment, an office, and the all-important kitchen and meeting room. RDA is not about riding horses repetitively in circles. Each rider has a personalised plan Continued on page 5
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Mason Martin completes exercises on pony Mimi, under the guidance of volunteer Brenda Kean.
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