Meet our Guides: Nicola and Janey

The River Valley Ride, New Zealand

The River Valley Ride is an eight-day journey across the hills and glens of New Zealand’s North Island. Leading this adventure are Nicola Megaw and Janey Harrison, a mother and daughter dream team with a lifelong passion for their homeland, their horses and sharing this beauty with others. Nicola kindly took the time to tell us about their lives in this patch of paradise, how The River Valley Ride came about, and why they think it’s the perfect horseback adventure!

How long have you been running your riding outfit? And what was the background, history, reason for starting?
Horses were Nicola’s childhood and early teenage craze (her husband would say they still are). She grew up on a farm where there were always horses to ride. At age 10, she joined the local pony club and would ride her pony 16 miles across country to get there, and then ride home again the next day.
River Valley Stables is owned by Nicola and her daughter Janey. They have been operating for 15 years, focussing on having well trained, happy horses in their role as trekking mounts. Achieving this was a challenge for Nicola, and it meant growing her horsemanship knowledge and exposing herself to new ideas and ways of doing things. The feedback from the horses now is so rewarding – they’re happy and giving, doing their job well, and getting better at it each year.
The project of an eight-day ride took three years to come to fruition. The aim was to put together a world class ride traversing the countryside they both grew up in, unearthing the delights within their different cultures and landscapes. Guests have the opportunity to ride and learn about New Zealand’s unique wild horses and experience the ‘Kiwi’ way of life while adventuring in an enchanting part of the country.

How many guest horses do you have?
Sixteen – a mix of Kaimanawa (New Zealand wild horse) and New Zealand Station Bred. There are also a few Tennessee Walking Horses and American Saddlebreds in the herd.

Describe your herd of horses in four words.
‘Unabashedly suss you out!’ Each has their unique traits and personality, and it’s pleasing to see them feeling confident to express that politely with their new human partners.

What is the philosophy or ethos behind your horse riding experiences?
To learn how to work with the horse mentally and emotionally first – to get that right before you address the physical. Everything we do is either building our relationship or tearing it apart. It’s not about tolerance; it’s about confidence, acceptance and understanding. Setting horse and rider up to get the most enjoyment out of each other during their time together.

What do you love most about your job?
There is SO much to love about this job! Where to begin? We’re the luckiest people in the world to be able to make a living out of what we love doing most: being in a beautiful landscape amidst nature on horseback, leaving the trappings of the world behind. Not to mention the coming together of everyone at the end of a day’s riding and making friendships for life.

What is the most challenging part?
The balance between keeping it safe for our riders and letting them have the ride of their life.  Training the horses to be trustworthy is paramount. There is always a challenge in every horse – some more than others!

Why should globetrotters sign up for this ride?
Excuse me, but seriously, why wouldn’t you! What’s not to love about eight days of adventurous bliss upon beautiful horses in enchanting, faraway lands?

A tip that every globetrotter must know before signing up for this ride:
The more riding fit you are, the more enjoyable this adventure will be. Also, we are in the high country and the sun can be VERY intense when it’s shining, and the air can be chilly when the weather changes.

Finish this sentence: Don’t leave home without…
Leaving any preconceived notions of what lies ahead on your adventure there – at home. New Zealand can have four seasons in one day, so pack your sunnies with your raincoat and your thermal underwear with your sun block.

What has been the most memorable or significant moment of your guiding careers?
Oh Gosh! There have been a few, and no doubt there will be some more.
The feedback from our riders. They make it SO memorable!
Being asked to guide our local area of the Great New Zealand Trek for eight days. This trek started at the top of the North Island and finished at the bottom of the South Island. We guided over 200 people on that ride. An epic trip.
And the wild horses… but that’s a story for the campfire.

Anything else you would like to add?
‘Ride that horse like you just stole it!’

We are SO excited to have Nicola and Janey on board and can’t wait for you to experience their Kiwi hospitality for yourself! Click here to learn more about The River Valley Ride.

P.S. if you’d like a sneak preview of one of the guest horses you could be lucky enough to ride on this holiday, click here.