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Testimonials

“Donna’s attitude is always professional, not only with her dealings with the horses she produces and rides, but also in the way she deals with officials and her fellow competitors. I regard her ability as a rider and competitor with great respect.”

4* dressage judge

Anne Tylee

“I have a heap of mileage now, two world class horses that are ready to go and win!”

Donna Smith

Dave and Bridget Sutton recommended Donna Smith to us when we bought Henton First Edition (Fraser) as a 3 year old. Under Donna's  supervision and expertise, he is developing the confidence and skills to move up the grades. He has talent but it has been  Donna's skill and professionalism and her calm manner which is giving Fraser confidence. Donna loves what she does and has a great connection with horses. As owners, we are really enjoying the experience of seeing Fraser develop under Donna's very thorough approach to bringing out the best in our young horse.
Dean, Mandy & Anna Beverley

Beverley Family

We became involved in eventing as a consequence of needing to find a meaningful activity for  my retiring racehorses, hence we met Donna Smith. Donna has ridden a number of my horses for the last six years. Donna is an outstanding rider and horsewoman with great skill, ability and experience but also great patience and tolerance which enables her to take very difficult horses and turn them into champion eventers. We are very proud to be part of Donna's team and I have been dubbed "Showtime Grandma" for looking after the troupe at events, providing meals, a warm place to rest and a small tipple at the end of the day.
We will continue to support Donna and hopefully be with her as she gains more international recognition and titles as fitting for a rider of her class. I think Donna's win on my horse Cluny in the CCI1* at Kihikihi was outstanding in the circumstances, and I thank Donna so much for that.

Gaye McClunie

“Donna is recognised on our Future Potential Recognition group which are talented kiwi riders capable of producing high performance horses. It is out of this future potential recognition group that we hope to see some of our high performance combinations of the future.”

NZ HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR

Sarah Dalziell-Clout