#GameChangers – Solway College Students

There’s nothing we like more than a whole lot of fabulous #ESNZGameChangers! And here’s who they are ….

Natasha Appleton-Dyer, Ella Bashford, Alice Bourke, Morgan Dudley, Jemma Edwards, Asha Graham, Amelia Heathcote, Maddy Heathcote, Hannah Hodgkiss, Esther Leinfellner, Salome Leinfellner, Olivia Mancer, Moana Papworth, Tilly Rausch, Jayda Stephen, Sofia Spencer, Charlotte Wells, Amelia Westgarth and Freya Wright.

These Solway College students worked as volunteers in the rings throughout the three days of the Glistening Waters Jumping and Show Hunter Series Finals show.  These girls are from the Equestrian Programme at Solway College and worked as ring crew, as well as learning skills in judging, writing, course set up, and how the FEI timing system works. 

These bright, happy girls worked cheerfully throughout the show and learned a lot from experienced officials Ray Egarr and Gerrit Beker. 

They were not put off when the jumps became taller than them with one girl spotted on tip toe lifting the rail into jump cups over her head!

It is fabulous to see young riders giving their time as volunteers and learning the skills to officiate in the future.  A special thank you to Equestrian Academy Manager, Elle Ifill, for co-ordinating a great team. 

#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)