Joe's lifeblood is in horses and he started his competitive career as early as the age of 6! Born and bred in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand his parents own and manage the successful Mamaku Stud. They owned the stallion Tara Mink... his most famous offspring being one of the greatest event horses of all time...Charisma the small star who took Mark Todd to fame and fortune in the eighties.

 

Born into equestrian greatness it was in his genes that he would achieve considerable success at National level and then going on to captain the NZ junior squad. In order to progress his career he took his top horse Southern Star to England in 1996 and after a lot of hard work and dedication resulting in exposure to top level competition.

 

As with any event rider the highs and lows come with the territory but with the support of Mamaku Stud's successful breeding program, Joe now boasts a yard full of successful stars and up and coming youngsters. His top horse Snip has taken him to Senior Team representation in the 2006 World Equestrian Games as well as a 10th place at Badminton in 2006 and 7th place in 2007. In 2007 he finished 8th in the Premier League and 26th in the BE points table.

 

This years highlights include finishing 20th at Badminton on Ease on Fire, 14th in the World Cup Qualifiers at Chatsworth International with Ariki & 3rd in the CIC*** with Snip, 7th in the CCI*** at Barocca with Ariki, and 1st in the Thoroughbred Championships at Barbury International with Clifton Lush.

 

The main event however of 2008 is of course the Olympic Games with Joe being selected to represent New Zealand in the Eventing discipline.