1971 A sub-committee of Pat
Donnelly, Mary Dalley and Ken Pike was authorised to check out the
likely locations, preferably in the mid North Island, within the
financial reach of the New Zealand Horse Society (now known as
Equestrian Sport New Zealand)
1972 Pat Donnelly
came up with a ninety-acre block just north of Taupo, bounded on
one side by the Waikato River, light pumice country never wet,
never hard, therefore ideally suited to year around equestrian
activities. Work began on the Centre, and included an
instructor's house, working pupils' cottage, stables, yards and
immediate fencing. A cattle grazing scheme was initiated to
repay the bank loan and arrangements made for a local farmer to
plough, level, crop and regrass for the use of the block for a
year
1975 The brainchild of Mr
GP Donnelly, the National Equestrian Centre commenced operations
with Lockie Richards as resident instructor on a three-year
contract. Mighty working bees of members from areas far and
near have contributed hundreds of man hours, materials and
expertise. The Centre was a busy place, carrying at times
considerable numbers of horses as well as increasing stock units as
the pastures improved, and water was always a problem, until the
Northern Hawke's Bay Junior Group generously financed the whole of
the water reticulation, after which life became easier.
1980 The Centre showed a
profit of $10,846, a percentage of this due to an Equine Training
Council scheme set up and funded by the government, the Racing
Conference, Equestrian Sports NZ, the Standard-bred Association,
Pony Clubs, Quarter Horse Society and ACC. Pat Donnelly had
arranged for a course at the Centre for 18 students to be taught
horsemanship (stable management) and riding. The course ran
for two years, then was abandoned due to the unavailability of jobs
and the vast cost of training the students. Part of the 1980
profit went towards the building of an up-to-date ablution block,
plus considerable maintenance on the complex.
1990 New entrance gates
were installed, now Gate 2.
1998
The Charisma Hall was built.
2007 A long range plan was
developed after consultation with the ESNZ disciplines. The
list of future upgrades for better facilities from all disciplines
was very long and as we ticked off most of their requests we then
decided to try and build the Indoor facility which all
disciplines requested. The aim was to provide a world class
training and competition environment in NZ for ESNZ
2009 Update of equipment
used in the maintenance of the arenas with assistance from the Lion
Foundation
2010 A new residence was
built for the Manager
2011 Planning for an Indoor
Arena began
2012 Portcabin block was
built to supply accommodation to casual users but also able to
accommodate officials onsite during events.
2013 First money for Indoor
to get plans ,resource consent etc from First Sovereign Trust
2013 New covered yard block
was built with 68 yards.
2016 Construction of the
Indoor Arena began with the first sod being officially turned on
15th April 2016 in the presence of the Mayor, MP
for Taupo and others. Photo 15th Nov
2018 The indoor arena is
being used and the rooms will be completed this year
Over the years many committee members, volunteers and riders
have helped to make the NEC Taupo what it is today.
Developments and maintenance are always on going, but it is
important to know that the fees paid to enter a centre run
event or for stabling, camping etc all go back into maintaining the
Centre and its future developments.
