Tui Glen trek era ends after 29 years
10 December 2014
TUI Glen will close its gates on 29 years of horse trekking this month, but members of the public have the opportunity to relive their riding experiences.
After winding up the tourism side of the business on December 6 the farm’s 18 trekking horses are up for sale on December 14.
Tourism manager Lucia Voss said the 3500 acre farm near Kawerau employed 12 to 15 full-time staff working between a hay packaging factory serving horticulture and pet markets, a dairy support farm and tourism.
The end of horse trekking would allow the farm’s focus to shift to those other priorities.
Part-owner Pauline Tarver began the trekking business on a portion of the farm with a small group of horses. As it grew in popularity she bought more horses and began offering children’s camps.
However, she was preparing for retirement and one of her tasks was to wind up the tourism activities offered by the farm.
Tui Glen once had 40 trekking horses but two years ago, in preparation for the end of the trekking business, horse numbers were reduced to 18.
Miss Voss said she began managing the treks this year after spending four years on the farm.
Most days during the busy summer period 20 to 35 people would visit the farm to ride, but this number could rise to more than 40 for a single large tour group, or school class.
Miss Voss said her favourite trek was a loop that went through the Tarawera River.
She said riders were usually concentrating on their horses as they followed the track toward the river. When they turned to see the crystal clear water they were always impressed.
The show jumping facilities at the farm would remain open.
Miss Voss said she was receiving around 15 to 20 calls daily from people asking about horses before the sale day on Sunday, December 14.
The sale will be held at Tui Glen, 40 Kawerau Road, State Highway 34, from 11am to 3pm.
Information about each animal was available on the Tui Glen website and they would be sold by open tender, with a bid board continually updated.
Tack and other trekking items would also be available to buy.
Source: Whakatane Beacon