Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy Book Launch

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.  

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign).

I then specifically greet you: Mary Brook, Patron of the Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy; Gaynor Brown, President of the Centre and your board members present; supporters, volunteers and staff of the Centre; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen; boys and girls.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and me to be here at the launch of the Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy’s history, A Horse Tale. 

I have been asked to officially launch A Horse Tale and just before doing so, would like to talk about the important work carried out by the Centre.

At the outset, it seems important to mention a number of connections. First, there is that one of my predecessors, Sir David Beattie and Lady Norma Beattie officially opened this Centre in 1985. Secondly, the then Prime Minister David Lange attended that official opening and was a long-time supporter of the Centre during his life.

David Lange was, to both Susan and I, an old and good friend before, as well as after, his time in public life. By way of a brief background, both David and I were born in Auckland, sons of suburban doctors, David being a couple of  years older than me.  We were both at the Law School in the 1960s but first knew each other during university holidays at the Westfield Freezing Works.

Then, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, whom Susan and I have met on three occasions, is International Patron of Riding for the Disabled Association and has visited this Riding Centre on a couple of occasions—first in 1989 and then again in 2006. 

Fourthly, last year I had the privilege of presenting Sir Peter Blake Awards to a small number of outstanding emerging leaders in our country.  One award was to the well-known disabled rider, Catriona Williams of Wairarapa.  Catriona who is a founder and trustee of the Catwalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, dedicates a great deal of her time offering hope and encouragement to those who are embarking on a new life confined to a wheelchair.

In view of those connections, it is a delight to be here to celebrate the launch of a book detailing the 26 year history of the Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy with you all.

The beginning of Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy’s story began in 1976.  As many here will know, the land on which the Centre now stands was made available by the then Auckland Regional Authority which set aside 133 hectares of land for a community park with equestrian facilities. I understand that the rent was set at $1 per year for 21 years!

During the more than 20 years that Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy has been active, a great deal has been achieved. I had the privilege of having a ‘pre-launch’ read of A Horse Tale which excellently details the background on the Centre, and the many achievements over its lifetime. I am deeply impressed with the dedication and commitment of the many volunteers and supporters who have contributed to its success.

Since taking on the Governor-General role in 2006, Susan and I have sought to emphasise the importance of volunteering in our country.  In essence, the spirit of volunteering can be described as the “glue” that holds our society and economy together.  Many parts of our health, education and social service sectors might grind to a halt without the countless hours of voluntary work that many people provide.

As South African, Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said:

“It is important to know that each one of us can make a contribution.  Too frequently we think we have to do spectacular things, and yet if we remembered that the sea is actually made up of drops of water, and each drop counts—each one of us can do our little where we are and it those little bits that can come together and can almost overwhelm the world.  And so it’s important to try to be senders of peace.  Each of us can be an oasis of peace.”

The work that Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy carries out is to be hugely praised.  Caring for those most vulnerable in the community by giving them the opportunity to develop both physically and mentally through riding is both challenging and rewarding.  I therefore add congratulations and thanks to the Board, staff, supporters and many volunteers who donate their time and expertise to this cause.

I understand that this Centre works on a number of different levels which include running riding programmes for people with disabilities, operating a school that mixes traditional education subjects with equine programmes, and a vocational training unit that prepares young people for entering the workforce.

In preparing what I might say today, I was fascinated to learn of the many benefits that horse riding can offer to people with disabilities.  Those benefits include the development, improvement and promotion of balance and co-ordination, perception and spatial awareness, posture and muscle tone as well as communication and social skills.

When speaking of the value of riding I was also reminded of the way Winston Churchill famously described horses and horse riding by saying:-

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” 

It does seem clear that alongside the physical benefits of riding, there are the psychological benefits which instil self-confidence, develop independence and improve decision making.

Having had the chance to read testimonials from students involved in programmes offered here, and watching the excellent DVD given to me, it is certain that the contribution that this Centre makes to the wider community is significant.

I would therefore want to thank the many people who have worked tirelessly to provide the invaluable services offered here.

It now seems the appropriate point to congratulate the Centre in having such a wonderful history produced. Particular praise is due to the researcher and writer, Lynnaire Johnston, and contributors Gaynor Brown, Caroline Grove and Claire Lingman. Producing a publication of this kind is a mammoth task and you can be proud of what has been achieved.

And on that note of recognition of the value that the Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy adds to the lives of those who are involved, I will close – and in New Zealand’s first language Māori, offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.   

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.

As Governor-General, it gives me great pleasure to officially launch A Horse Tale.