About our events
Since 2023 Rare Horse Society of NZ has been hosted by existing events to add dynamic, beautiful and educational displays. We have a number of events we attend annually and are interested to find more places to show off.
Our availability depends on having volunteers in the region to assist with planning and logistics. We require fencing to be supplied and can adapt to work with a range of fencing types from wooden yards, cattle panels, event fencing, lower gate style fencing and tape pens. See below for information about our displays and the events we are currently hosted at.
Annual Events:
Rare Horse Society attends a handful of events nation wide annually. We are seeking more places to display along with people to attend and help plan.
Get in touch now!
Equifest Taupo
Our debut at Equifest was October 2025. We hope to be back here each year.
Rangiora A&P
After rain cancelled 2024 - we debuted in 2025 at this event - main arena demo.
EquiSouth
At our 2023 debut we set a world record for the Largest Display of Rare Breeds of Horses! Back again annually.
Helensville A&P
We break into the Auckland region with a debut at Helensville A&P Show. Static display only - no demos. Contact us to bring horses along to this event.
28 Feb 2026
Kumeu A&P
Kumeu Show have expressed interest in hosting us - we are seeking people to help plan this event annually.
Rare Breeds Display
The girls from Rare Horse Society have arranged horses for the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of NZ Horse display since 2022.
Next event 13 - 15 November 2025
Live Presentations
We can provide active demonstrations/live presentations. We encourage participants to dress up in traditional gear or costumes to bring a vibrant and attractive display. Society President Liselle Silver is a talented and knowledgeable voice - she can be asked to emcee demonstrations or give talks at our display pens. Displays can be themed where possible to tie in to a general theme of the event.
We have done Live Presentations at Rangiora A&P Show, Equifest and Helensville A&P Show.
Ideal presentations fill a 30 minute time slot and feature a parade of horses (some ridden and some led in hand), with breeds taking turns to feature in the centre of the arena to really show off. As many of the horses do not get a chance to get out much, we keep the atmosphere relaxed and fun, providing a safe space for young horses to learn and grow. Seasoned pairs can ride and show off in a variety of ways. We even have some able to do tricks with their horses - and in the North Island we enjoy showcasing Orlando the Friesian who has starred in The Hobbit and Mulan - a real movie star!
Pictured: Equifest display 2025 - Haflinger filly with her owners participating in the parade - Paso Fino mare ridden by Kirsten Benson showcasing western saddle, traditional Paso Fino show rider attire and 'rhythm beads' a unique addition that jingle as they ride - Society President Liselle Silver emceeing the event - Clydesdales of Muriwai Beach Horse Treks behind doing a meet and greet at the fence line.
Below: Norwegian Fjord trying out being ridden in traditional Spanish riding dress at EquiSouth, Paso Fino in traditional riding dress at Helensville A&P Show & Lippizzaner with Knight in Shining Armour at EquiSouth.
Rare Horse Breed Village
These display options include horses in pens that the public can interact with. Pen displays are adorned with educational signage. This is a crowd favourite that spans the duration of the event (1-3 days).
We love seeing people light up when they see a favourite, smile at a new breed that takes them by surprise, shed a tear sharing a moment with a horse that reminds them of a special memory, and falling in love with their future dream horse breed.
Obstacle Course Demonstrations
We can bring obstacle courses to showcase versatility. The interesting objects attract the attention of crowds who enjoy watching handlers coaxing their horses to interact with the courses.
Interactive Features
Creative picture frames, movie themed dress ups - we have many ways to make our displays a great drawcard.
Pose with your dream horse!
Dress as your favourite movie character!
Make a custom model horse image with this creative frame!
Otago Equine Expo -October 2023
This will be our first solo rare breed horse display out from under the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of NZ. We are aiming for the biggest and most spectacular rare breed horse display ever.
The display will feature horses in pens to be admired and met by the public throughout the two day event. There will be a ridden demonstration area in half of the A&P showgrounds arena where the horses can be ridden or shown off in any manner. An obstacle course will be set up for all day in hand or ridden play and each breed gets a time slot.
We have a phenomenal number of horses attending to represent various breeds but we are still looking to fill spaces for some as well as requiring back up breeds in case any fall through. Get in contact if you are interested!
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This event was a huge success with 17 Rare Horse Breeds in attendance. We have been invited back for the next show which will be October 2025.
A big thank you to Fred's Fencing who sponsored the large pens for the bigger horses and kept them contained and safe.
Fred also provided a round pen for the Expo to raffle off as a fundraiser. We can't thank him enough for his efforts with this show and his products are fantastic quality.
Check out his projects at www.fredsfencing.co.nz
Past Events
This website is a work in progress. Please reach out to correct and update information. We would like to feature great educational videos, photos of real horses proving their versatility and strengths, accurate preservation status numbers, news on the breeds from NZ and overseas, up to date contacts, links to websites, registries and associated entities for the breeds and more. In some instances placeholder or international images have been used where some nice local horses could be, we use what we can find at the time (hopefully without getting in trouble). We appreciate images supplied if you have any New Zealand based images.