My love of horses began when I first climbed into the saddle at five years old. Life has taken me on plenty of adventures since then, but eventually it brought me home to New Zealand, where I settled in Queenstown and found a way to turn a lifelong passion into my life’s work.
When I purchased Moke Lake Horse Treks, it was a small operation with just 18 horses and two staff. Over the years, I have poured my heart and soul into building the business into what it is today, with the welfare of my horses at the heart of everything we do.
For me, Moke Lake Horse Treks is a celebration of horses and the incredible connection we have with them. I want every person who rides with us to experience a little of what has made me love these animals for almost my entire life. Whether that is the excitement of a first ever ride, the trust that develops between horse and rider, or the pure exhilaration of exploring an incredible landscape from the saddle, there is something about that connection that is difficult to put into words.
One of the things I am particularly passionate about is giving Standardbred horses a meaningful life beyond the racetrack. These wonderful, sensible horses form an important part of our beginner herd. Their experience and temperament make them beautifully suited to trekking, and I love being able to give them a new career where their steady nature can help someone discover the magic of riding, sometimes for the very first time.
As the business grew, I also saw a need to create something different for experienced riders. I began building a second, colourful herd made up of many different breeds and developing small group adventures that allow capable riders the opportunity to really ride and experience the freedom and exhilaration that comes with exploring open country on horseback.
There is something incredibly special about meeting riders from all over the world and watching them experience a shared passion against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful places imaginable. Whether someone is sitting on a horse for the first time or galloping through the landscape on a bucket list adventure, being able to share this extraordinary corner of New Zealand with them never gets old.
MEET ANNA
Horse lover, animal advocate, experience creator and the heart behind Moke Lake Horse Treks and Priory Rose Estate.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Moke Lake feels a world away from civilisation, despite being only 20 minutes from central Queenstown. Its wildness is part of what makes it so special, but as our herd and ambitions grew, I knew we needed somewhere with the infrastructure to support everything I wanted to create.
That is how Priory Rose Estate came to be.
I purchased land in Glenorchy that initially became the winter home for our Moke Lake horses, somewhere they could enjoy a well earned holiday while the trekking business closed for the colder months. From there, the vision grew.
I set about creating a purpose built equestrian property with a world class arena and training facilities where we could develop our own horses, support their health and fitness, offer lessons and create opportunities for riders of different ages and abilities.
Priory Rose has also given us the ability to cater more specifically to children and introduce a new generation to horses in a safe, encouraging environment. I am passionate about making horses more accessible, regardless of someone’s age, experience or previous exposure to them. My hope is for Priory Rose to become somewhere that not only our visitors can enjoy, but that contributes meaningfully to our local equestrian community as well.
CREATING EXPERIENCES THAT STAY WITH YOU
For me, horses are only part of the story. What really excites me is creating experiences that people will remember for the rest of their lives.
I am a creative person by nature, and I love dreaming up new ways for people to experience horses and these incredible landscapes. From our Ride & Dine picnics and photography experiences to wine tasting collaborations, bespoke adventures and creative media projects, I love taking an idea and turning it into something truly memorable.
Along the way, I have been incredibly fortunate to play a small part in some very big moments. We have helped create proposals, anniversaries, celebrations, wedding shoots, pregnancy photographs and once in a lifetime holiday memories. Knowing that something we created has become part of an important chapter in someone else’s story means so much to me.
At the heart of everything I do is a love of animals, the outdoors and the extraordinary relationship we have with horses. Their welfare will always come first, and I believe that caring for them well and respecting what they give us is fundamental to creating the kind of experiences I want our businesses to be known for.
I feel incredibly lucky to have created a life where I can spend my days surrounded by horses, immersed in some of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes and sharing both with people from around the world.
For me, this is so much more than a business. It is the life I love, and I feel incredibly privileged to share a little piece of it with everyone who rides with us.
MEET THE TEAM
KATIE
TREKKING GUIDE
FREYA
GUIDE & INSTRUCTOR
JESS
OPERATIONS / RELATIONS
