Meet the Dune Lakes Herd: Gemma
By Rob Pliskin, Equine Pathfinders Foundation volunteer
Flying. Beginning this journey back to the Festival as I do tonight, hurdling across datelines, equators, and other lines that disappear when you look down on the Earth from way up here, I’m reminded of Gemma. In her all-seeing eyes, even this Tuesday disappears, there are no hemispheres, there is only here, and and only now. Gemma simply dispels them like mist with her tail flashing one way, her high head another.
If I had to pick one Dune Lakes mare as a traveling partner on this trip, it would be her. Eyes wide open hopping off the bus to LAX, into the terminal, blinking at all the shops, the food, the full screen movie previews on the blank canvassed walls, I would most likely need to keep her attention, lest she run down the jetway for the plane to Andalusia, or just gallop off herself over the High Sierra to run with the mustangs.
Gabrielle Chanel has said, “I decided who I wanted to be and that is who I am.” Ahh, so that is what she is wearing tonight aboard this plane to Aotearoa. Where the air IS getting a bit rough out here high above the Pacific, actually. No worries for Gemma though. She will just jump out and fly home on her own, her tail flashing one way, her high head another, and very happy.
When she gets here, and you get here, lean into her as she leans into you, calm your fears together, and come home.
Lean into Gemma as she leans into you, calm your fears together, and come home.
The Dune Lakes herd at play.
The horses of the Dune Lakes herd are an integral part of the Dune Lakes Lodge Retreat and Horse Inspired Learning Centre where they help their human partners create learning experiences to improve the wellbeing and success of children, youth, adults, and families.
Under the loving care of Rosemary Wyndham-Jones and Equine Pathfinders Foundation, the horses make their home on the beautiful South Kaipara Head Peninsula, a massive, ancient sand barrier that separates the South Kaipara Harbour from the Tasman Sea.
Find out more about what's in store for the 2020 festival program