Hōiho - Series One - "Best of" Episode

I think it’s that connection, eh? Like, honestly, if you sort of fight the horse, and you don’t have that connection with the horse, he ain’t gonna listen to you. Or he’s gonna throw you off. So I think it actually teaches them to actually respect, have respect for the horse, and then they hopefully in turn give respect to the people.

– A riding instructor talking about teaching tamariki to ride horses

I’m not ashamed to say that I class myself as a horseman, because it doesn’t matter to me whether they are racehorses or equestrian horses or whatever, I’m a horseman.

– Master horse trainer Eric Ropiha

Winning a race is not easy. I mean, it’s really hard. So if you can do that, if you can breed a horse, plan it, raise it, feed it, look after it, see it go to the races and to win a race, it’s very satisfying.

– Commentary on successful Rangitukia horseman Reg Kaa

I believe that many years ago there might’ve been a shipwreck somewhere, and that horses that were onboard that ship actually got away and went wild. From the stories that I’ve been told anyway, that it was the beginning of what we call the brumby horses up here.

– Frank Herbert on the origins of brumby horses in Pawarenga

We’d never be the same without the horses. I’ve only known it with the horses, I’d hate to think that they would ever disappear. Other people that’ve been out here before me have always commented on the horses and how beautiful they are.

– John, a local, on Kaimanawa horses in Northland

Without my horse I’m nothing. He’s taught me heaps.

– A boy talking about his horse

Some women like flash clothes and nice hats. I like cowboy boots and spurs! So, that’s me.

– A horse enthusiast.

I love horses. A good horse is a good horse, it doesn’t matter what he’s doing, whether he’s just pulling a plough or winning a race, a good horse is a good horse.

– Master horse trainer Eric Ropiha