#GameChanger – Giorgia Hope!

Giorgia Hope, 12 years old, is another young equestrian doing great things for her sport. Her mum Stephanie Kennedy says that Giorgia goes “out of her way to encourage younger and beginner vaulters” at her vaulting club, SpiritRides .

“Giorgia supports them and makes sure they feel comfortable in their moves and on the barrels and vaulting horse. When she sees them being a little worried on our large 17.3hh vaulting horse she walks beside them.”

Even though she is passionate about vaulting, Giorgia puts her own training time last to help the others and apparently she has done so for a few years now.

That’s fantastic Giorgia, you’re a perfect example of what we mean when we talk about a #GameChanger: someone who is helpful, supportive and kind. So, a great big thank you and congratulations. These are the values which our Change the Rein campaign is all about.

#GameChangers is about encouraging people to tell us about acts of kindness or helpfulness by ESNZ members that made a difference to someone’s day.  So, please keep your eyes and ears open when you’re out and about and nominate someone you witness doing something kind, supportive, helpful for someone (or a horse) that demonstrates the sort of inclusive, supportive, safe and friendly culture we’re working towards with Change the Rein.  We will make sure people are aware of what great people we have in our sport.

If you want to nominate an ESNZ #GameChanger, this is what you do:

Please email to [email protected],nz the following information (#GameChangers in the subject line):

  • Person nominating the #GameChanger – your name, contact details (email & phone number)
  • Who is the ESNZ member being nominated as a #GameChanger (name, discipline, area group/club and role eg official, rider, volunteer, parent)
  • Photo of the #GameChanger person (not necessarily in the act, so to speak)
  • What was the #GameChanger behaviour witnessed and the outcome (this doesn’t need to be heroic – just a kind, considerate, helpful, supportive, inclusive, welcoming, friendly act)