The Forbes & Co. Team

Dedicated staff with over 100 years joint experience you can trust.

Clare Forbes

Director/Office Manager / 25 Years and Counting

Clare was involved in Pony Club in England for many years and was part of the South East Area Teams. She competed for 10 years in point to point amateur steeplechasing and won the South East Area Leading Lady titles for several years.

She was also part of the top National Hunt yards and was awarded the title of the 3rd Lady Rider in England. Clare then moved to New Zealand where she married and has two boys who now ride and compete in showjumping and polo events. Clare is a member of the Hawke's Bay Horse Trials and brings a wealth of knowledge to our team.

 

Blair Forbes

Director / Saddler  / Extremely Experienced

Blair was born into the saddlery trade, and is second generation at Forbes & Co. Blair also trained as a Mercury Outboard mechanic in Auckland and in Fond du Lac, USA. 

Blair is a registered saddle fitter and runs the workshop which is constantly busy, saddles get sent to him from all over NZ to either be fixed or for a gullet resizing, he also manufactures animal tracking collars, these are sent all over the world. Apart from his his saddlery skills Blair also enjoys rebuilding landrovers and has a great sense of humour. He  is a member of the Rural Firefighting service.

 

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Lesley Taplin

Description - Store Manager

Lesley started riding at the age of 3 on her family farm - Branscomb Station at Akitio. Lesley rode on the farm daily with the shepherds, used the car as a float to go to local sports meetings and even rode to school everyday! Lesley has been a part of the Forbes team for so long she can't remember! She is responsible for all ordering in the shop. Lesley  has a huge knowledge in everything Equestrian.
Lesley no longer rides horses ,now its a Harley Davidson  to work!. She is also a keen water skier and plays badminton. In  her spare time she is a doting Gran to her  grandson .

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Anna Norman

Job Description / Sales Person
Anna started her riding career at age 8 when her Dad leased a pony, eventually buying one which started her on the road  to a passion with horses. Anna now has 2 horses and enjoys competing and Eventing.
Before horses took full control of her life, Anna also had a passion for Jet Ski Racing and over a period of 4 years touring the North Island she won the title of Womens Champ. Anna also has a gorgeous German Spitz puppy .

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Sue Wheeler

Job Description / Internet Website Manager

Sue started riding when she was 10 and owned her first horse when she was 13, and has been involved with horses ever since. Her main focus is now on her Miniature Horse Stud www.merriwynstud.com, where she stands 3 stallions and has 12 breeding mares. All her breeding stock are from Champions or Supreme Champion bloodlines, NZMHA Hi Point winners and HOY title holders. Sue has puchased a colt from the USA, Nirvana's Dolce Vita, who will bring new blood into NZ,  exciting times for Sue. In her "spare" time Sue also breeds Miniature Schnauzers and enjoys working in the garden.