Sponsored Riders
Rebecca Mckay
My name is Rebecca Mckay, aka Bex! I’m an amateur dressage rider based in Helensville. I run a riding school, Horsemanship Academy, and enjoy teaching all levels of rider. My second job is working with animals on set in movies, tv series and ad campaigns which is super fun!!
My main competition horse, Lyra De Lille, is a home bred mare by Lingh II. She has just started at level 6 and we have plans to try Prix St George and maybe Grand Prix in the future. I am also lucky enough to have the ride on Profile, a GP schoolmaster legend that I will get out competing on next season, 2024/2025.
Eleanor has been fitting saddles to my horses before Lyra was even broken in! We are now riding in a new Equifit Passion Dressage which I LOVE and so do the horses!! Eleanor has done a wonderful job creating the best dressage saddle, and we are super excited to see what we can achieve riding in it!
Maddie Stuart
Maddie is 17 Year Old Showjumper from Pukekohe, Auckland who started riding at a very young age and was often seen out with her Mum and Dad with the Maramarua Hunt.
She is currently competing Junior Rider Level on her horse Beau. Beau is a 13 year old Crossbred Dun gelding. This is her second season on him and they have placed in most of their competitions thus far. “I am looking forward to competing him at HOY 2024 in the Junior Rider Finals, all going well”.
“Eleanor fitted Beau in our current saddle which is an amazing Fairfax Mono Flap Jump. I am beyond thankful for all of Eleanor’s help with fitting my horses, this ensures I can get the best from them and they are the most comfortable they can be”!
Lara Butler-Gallie
My name is Lara, I’m a 21yr event rider from south Auckland! I’ve been riding all my life and have competed up to 3* eventing. I’ve also been lucky enough to ride and work for some of the top riders in the world in England and America. I currently have a small team of young horses who I’m bringing up the grades and am studying an equine sports massage course. I am also very interested in rider and horse biomechanics and appreciate the difference a good saddle fitting makes.
Some of my proudest achievements include;
- Taupo 3*L 3rd
- Kihikihi 2* 1st
- Top 5 placings in competing in America
- Long listed for Oceania young rider team 2023
My horses and I have been incredibly lucky to have had Eleanor fitting them for a few years now and have noticed a huge difference in their performance and well being. Recently completed 1.25m Derby at Takapoto on Poppet, who is 20 years old. Equifit’s saddle and fitting played a big part in helping an older (but still highly athletic) horse to do this. I am so grateful for Eleanor’s support and experience, she has made a huge difference in my riding 🤍
Michelle Bogaard
Katrina Butler-Gallie
Katrina is an event rider from South Auckland who is passionate about what she does. She is very proud to have competed to 4* level and represented New Zealand as part of the Oceania young rider team in 2019.
She currently rides a lovely mare, Mi Martini (affectionately known as Wilma). She is an 8 year old, off the track Thoroughbred, sired by the American champion stallion, Bernardini. Wilma has just started her eventing career and she's already proving to be a natural! Katrina and Equi-Fit are very excited to see where the journey takes them.
Aside from riding, Katrina is also a graphic designer and illustrator, and works full-time in this field. During her university studies she received a Blues Award for her ability to balance an intense training schedule with her academic workload.
Katrina also teaches at local Pony Clubs, where she loves sharing her knowledge and passion for the sport with others.
We are proud to have both Katrina and Wilma out eventing in both the S Series Jump and Dressage saddles and look forward to seeing how they progress in future seasons.
Rebecca Phillips
Bex and Aurelian Sabre are involved in a full range of equestrian disciplines - no two days are ever the same! Their adventures include full wire hunting, showing in both flat and jumping classes, dressage, show jumping, show hunter and eventing, where they are currently competing successfully at 1* level. "You name it, we've taken our Kent and Masters S Series Dressage and Jumping saddles with us. These saddles have proven to be superior quality in every discipline, assisting us with many wins and placings".
Some of their most notable achievements include:
- 2021 and 2022 Maramarua Champion Hunter - 1st
- 2022 Maramarua Wire Hunter - 1st
- 2022 Kihikihi Horse Trial 1* - 4th
- 2022 Brookby Horse Trial 1* - 4th
- 2022 Te Kauwhata A&P Novice Saddle Hunter - Reserve Champion
- 2022 Te Kauwhata A&P Jumping Horse - Champion
- 2022 Te Aroha A&P Novice Saddle Hunter - Champion
Congratulations to both of you. Equi-Fit looks forward to supporting you in your future successes and learnings. We are very proud to have been involved with such a great team, right from the start.
