Lance and Juliet Farrant of Ray White Full Circle have proudly supported their daughter’s equestrian dreams over the years. As in real estate, it seems drive, dedication and training is certainly rewarded – with their daughter Bonnie having just been selected to represent New Zealand in a prestigious national young riders team.
Bonnie’s love for horse riding started at an early age, spiralling sky-high after she watched the cartoon horse movie, Spirit, and ever since Bonnie started riding at age 9, her dream was to wear the Silver Fern. Bonnie would often bus back from high school in town, arriving home in the dark, to then ride under spotlights in muddy paddocks to keep her horses trained. Lance Farrant and wife Juliet have been supportive of their daughters dream from the start – with more than just the financial commitments, years of family sacrifices have included early morning winter starts to attend a range of equestrian events which go on regardless of weather. “We have been in torrential rain, and even snow!” Juliet comments.
Lance Farrant notes “the flexibility of real estate has meant one of us has been able to accompany her and help out at events which have been held all over New Zealand… We have travelled from Invercargill to Northland, sleeping in our float along the way. As you can imagine there have been several ferry crossings with the horses!” He goes on to add: “We couldn’t be more proud of our daughter… her dream is coming true and all those hours of hard work and determination have paid off!”
Bonnie Farrant is one of four riders (under 21) to be selected into the New Zealand Young Rider’s Team to compete in the Oceania Team Championships at the Melbourne International Horse Trials in June this year. This is an intensely competitive competition between the best young riders of New Zealand and Australia, and Bonnie is one of the youngest competitors competing at 2 star level in New Zealand (Olympics is 4 star level). Her previous successes have included representing Canterbury in eventing and dressage (on a SPCA rescued pony whom she spent hours of time on to train and bring up through the levels), and this year Bonnie gained a Prime Minister’s Athletes Scholarship plus a Massey Sporting Scholarship for excellence in equestrian eventing (the university where she is currently undertaking a first year Bachelor of Science).
The team with their horses fly out on June 1st to Werribee, Australia, and both Lance and Juliet will be flying over to support. Julie Ryan, South Island Business Performance Manager for Ray White New Zealand notes: “We are continually proud of our team members who are so active in our communities. The depth of talent, support and sheer determination shown by our members and their families is inspiring. The Farrant family are currently busy fundraising for their daughter and if you’d like to support, or find our more – please click here to visit their fundraising page“
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