Steward role at Spring Show a juggling act for Ange Dolman

Ange Dolman is one of the busiest people behind the scenes at the Spring Show in her role as horse steward for the popular equestrian classes. She will also be keeping a close eye on what’s going on in the ring, with daughter Larina home from Te Kuiti to compete on Kiwi Lansing and Jewel HSH. The equestrian part of the Show started yesterday afternoon and culminates in the horse Grand Prix showjumping class on Saturday afternoon. Several of the country’s top riders will be vying for the GP honours. Picture by Paul Rickard

By Diana Dobson

If there’s horsey stuff to get done at the Poverty Bay A&P Spring Show, chances are it will fall to horse steward Ange Dolman.

Her phone runs hot heading into and during the popular annual event — from rider queries to working bees to organising volunteers . . . and anything else equestrian that happens to come her way.

Ange, though, is used to multi-tasking.  As a crop monitoring coordinator at PGG Wrightsons, juggling multiple balls is the norm.

“This is by far the busiest time of the year with all the planning that goes on and the Show on top of it, but you do what you do . . . except the housework.”

The mother of three admits she is a “bit of a control freak” so prefers to do stuff herself.

“That way I know it gets done.”

Ange grew up in Southland, riding for fun, with a little pony club in the mix.

Daughters Sinead and Larina have taken that to a more serious and successful level in the showjumping arena.

“I used to ride at the beach when the girls were younger but once they got warmbloods, no thank you,” says Ange.

“It was bad enough to just lead them but sometimes I would have to lunge them (a training technique where a handler guides a horse with the use of a line).

Neither of her daughters live here now but Larina is home from Te Kuiti to compete in what is one of her favourite shows.

She’s riding her little superstar Kiwi Lansing, with whom she has won multiple national titles.

However, the little powerhouse with the heart of a lion was badly injured in November and this is his first show back.

“We didn’t even think he would make it,” says Ange. “So it is exciting, but nerve-wracking at the same time.

“He’s only had one jump in the paddock last week. (but) we know it will be what it will be.”

Larina is also competing aboard exciting six-year-old Jewel HSH.

“She thinks she’s possibly the nicest horse she has ever sat on,” Ange said. “Both the horses are special in different ways — Jewel is a stunning-looking athlete but she has also been out with a bit of a paddock injury and only just come back in.”

The Gisborne Show is a favourite on the circuit.

“We have the most beautiful showgrounds here and it is a real community thing,” says Ange, who is ably assisted in her role by riders and others who come in before the Show to ensure everything is spic and span.

“Some days we can get 50-odd helpers.”

They’re (riders) encouraged to help as part of their local Equestrian Sports New Zealand membership, which brings with it a number of benefits. Helping is a give-back component of this.

Kaye Williams is once again heading the ground jury and there are several local officials who step up  for the Show.

Top riders face the challenge of Ring 1 showjumping courses created by leading Australian course designer Graeme Watts.

He’s also designing the course for the opening FEI World Cup qualifier in Hawke’s Bay next week so many of the country’s premier showjumpers will be lining up in the horse Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon.

Graeme has been an FEI Level 3 designer since 1996 and on the Australian jumping committee for many years.

He stepped down as national selector this year after 30 years of service.  He was a member of the arena crew for the Sydney Olympic Games and this year designed courses for the Magic Millions event on the Gold Coast.

As well as the Horse Grand Prix, Ange is looking forward to watching the Christine Beatson Memorial.

“It is a special class for many of us. Chrissie taught my girls and so many others, so it’s nice to remember her with this.”

The horse classes got under way yesterday afternoon with the showing. The showjumping and show hunters started today. Riders are coming from far and wide, including some from the South Island.