Glistening Waters Showjumping Championships 2021, Solway Showgrounds, Masterton, Saturday, April 10, 2021 Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

Congratulations to Craig Booth, ESNZ’s July 2021 Volunteer of the Month!

Craig worked on the Glistening Waters Jumping and Show Hunter Series Finals for many weeks, putting up temporary yards, fixing things, erecting signs and during the show was the ‘go to’ man for almost everything needing “handy”.  Easily spotted in his trademark red checked shirts, he can be relied on to attend to pretty much everything with a willing smile.

Craig is Vice President of Wairarapa Showjumping Group.  He has been part of the Wairarapa group for 15+ years but only became a “horsey person” when he met his wife, Jenny, 40+ years ago. He loves all the family’s horses (we’re told they love him too) and has a real passion for the welfare of horses.

Craig is also on the NEC Taupō board and again grounds are his thing; over the past nine years he has provided advice re upgrading the grounds which has vastly improved the grass surfaces. He also helps with equipment upgrades eg tractors, groomers etc if the centre is looking to improve their gear.

With Ray and Margaret Eggar stepping back, Craig has jumped straight into be the ‘Ray’ for his wife Jenny in learning how to set up and operate the FEI timing systems and can often be seen running to groom an arena during a class before scooting back to reset the timers in the ring.

Craig has been advising the Wairarapa A&P on upgrading their equipment; he finally got a front-end loader to go on the tractor which has been a godsend for their grounds care.

In 2017 at the Cape Kidnappers Hall of Fame Awards Cocktail Party Craig received the David Ross Memorial Award for outstanding volunteer service to Horse of the Year. He has been assisting with grounds preparation for the week at HOY for many years. Craig was also recognised at the Jumping AGM.

At any show Craig attends he is always willing to jump in and help whether it is grooming arenas, watering or help with a flat battery, flat tyre, or gas fridge not working. This list is endless but he loves being able to make sure that everyone enjoys a show and doesn’t have to worry about how they are getting home.

With his easy going, ‘help anyone’ attitude, Craig does all this for his love of the horse, the welfare of the horse and to support his family’s passion for breeding under the East Coast Performance Horses banner. He is an instrumental part of the family equine operation and is always on hand when required to handle young stock, weaning, feeding out baleage, mucking out boxes and changing covers. He has come a long way in the 40+ years he and Jenny have been together in his knowledge of the horse.

Craig had an agricultural contracting business for 25 years but has been farming for over 50 years and runs bulls and trade lambs, as well as cropping at their farm in Whareama.

Craig has two daughters, Jobee and Nicki, adores his first grandchild, Bell, and would do anything for his family.

When not running around after everyone else, you’ll find Craig in his workshop fixing things and making something from nothing – he hates spending money.   When he does take a break he’s partial to a spot of fishing (strictly the dry feet variety) and watching discovery/history channels. He enjoys a voddy (vodka perhaps?) at the end of the day.

ESNZ Volunteer of the Month receives a gift in recognition of their contribution; Craig’s is on its way to him.

You can nominate your ESNZ Volunteer of the Month by emailing us at [email protected]  with Volunteer of the Month in the subject line.

Please provide this information along with a photo of your nominee:

Who are you nominating?

From what discipline?

From what area?

Why are you nominating them?

Your name

Your contact phone number and email