Innovation and a commitment to practicality and comfort have led to a unique line of horse coaches that not only meet and exceed the expectations of equestrian competitors and families, but have also generated a world-leading capability for creating all sorts of specialist vehicles. This is what happens when horse sports meet motorsports in New Zealand.
Buzz, Maddy, Linda, Michael and Bosley.
Kendall Park Equestrian at Hawea Flat is nestled beneath the rugged Southern Alps in New Zealand’s stunning Queenstown-Lakes District. The property offers incredible views, peace and tranquillity – all just a stone’s throw from the thriving towns of Wanaka and Queenstown in the Otago region.
A long-time vision of Madeleine, Linda and Michael Buttle, Kendall Park is being developed to offer riders of all ages from all disciplines and skill levels a holistic range of experiences and services – from agistment and overnighting to showjumping, dressage and natural horsemanship clinics, and even specialist equipment and equine assisted therapies to help with autism, disabilities and mental health.
Maddy’s parents, Linda and Michael, moved from Auckland to Lake Wanaka in 2019, and soon after the family began their search for the right location for Kendall Park, eventually finding 90 magical acres of relatively flat land with hills out back. The well-balanced mix of terrain offers riders a bit of everything, and a well-formed raceway right around the perimeter of the property makes for an easy hack. Just a few minutes down the road is Lake Hawea, which offers beautiful lakeside riding.
Maddy stayed on in Auckland to study Psychology at Auckland University, and while she loved the study, she decided to follow her heart and moved to Hawea Flat to oversee the development and operation of Kendall Park Equestrian. It was a big call but a good call.
“Moving was a big challenge, we had to relocate the horses to a totally different environment – different feed, moisture levels and much colder winters,” explains Maddy. “The horses acclimatised quickly; it took me a bit longer!
“I’m really excited about being able to combine my interest in psychology and passion for equestrian with the specialist therapies we’ll offer here at Kendall Park,” she adds.
Missing her riding friends was tough to start with but it also offered the opportunity to make new ones. “In Auckland, my cottage bordered the Riverhead Forest and my girlfriends would often come over for ‘Pines and Wines’; we’ve had to rename our get-togethers ‘Alpines and Wines’ now I’m down here.”
Maddy’s Mum Linda and her brothers grew up with horses, so it was natural for Maddy to be encouraged to follow suit. The Buttle family moved to Calgary in Canada when Maddy was nine so Michael could take up a senior IT role in the oil and gas sector. This move really marked a sea-change in Maddy’s passion for the sport.
“Spending time at Spruce Meadows and the Calgary Stampede opened a whole new world for me, and when we came back to New Zealand I really focused on Show Hunter and Pinto Showing.”
Travelling around New Zealand for different events became more frequent and usually involved overnight stays, often in motels or camping, and this didn’t make for the most restful sleep before an event.
Camping or staying in hotels for events didn’t always result in a restful sleep for the Buttles. Enter Wade Equine: customised horse transport that also provides luxury ‘home away from home’ accommodation.
The family decided they needed to move from their trusty float to something that combined transport for the horses with comfortable accommodation for them. They were looking for quality and reliability with good functionality, and after-sales service was key.
“We’d already seen the Wade trucks at Mystery Creek Fieldays one year and then we were at Horse of the Year in the Hawke’s Bay and met [managing director] Alyssa Wade. She really took the time to listen, and as an experienced eventer herself had a good feel for what would work for us. Alyssa is really hands-on and her attention to detail and talent for interior design has always resonated with us,” Linda explains.
That conversation led to their first coach, ‘Izzy the Isuzu’, a 3-horse Wade Equine Signature, then a few years later a Wade Equine Diamond they named the ‘Taj Mahorse’, and now their latest, a highly personalised, beautiful Wade Equine Signature Plus (which they’re yet to find a suitable name for) in an unusual light grey-blue metallic adorned with the deep blue Kendall Park Equestrian branding. Kendall Park’s branding depicts Maddy’s favourite horse ‘Buzz’ of half Appaloosa stock, bred in New Zealand’s Coromandel region. Ruggedly handsome, Buzz is a tough horse with a beautiful calm temperament and highly memorable character – at 24 years old he’s retired now but still keeps a watchful eye over the 15 or so horses on the property.
As the Buttles have moved from coach to coach, Wade has looked after the selling of their old coaches making for an easy transition.
“Wade’s company ethos was a standout for us; the people we dealt with have been with the company for decades which is a really good sign,” says Michael. “We got to meet them when we visited the factory during manufacture, and when we need to know something about our truck or we need help we can talk to the person who actually built it, there’s a lot of value in that.”
“Wade’s company ethos
was a standout for us.”
A park with a view. Kendall Park Equestrian’s latest equine transport, a Wade Equine Signature Plus truck.
Wade Equine’s interchangeable horse bay.
A combination of factors keeps the Buttles coming back for more, and in their latest Signature Plus coach Wade’s process of continual improvement is clearly evident.
“We love so many things about this coach – clever stuff like magnetic horse dividers which make life so much easier when your hands are full, auto locking doors throughout when you start the truck, built-in water blaster, and all the systems are worked from a central control pad,” says Michael. “Even simple little things like tracks for the venetian blinds so they stay put on corners! There’s a place for everything and everything has a place.”
“We love so many things
about this coach…”
Alyssa Wade.
PASSION FROM THE START
As a youngster, Alyssa Wade spent pretty much all of her time riding, grooming and caring for her horses. Her equestrian passion has endured, and although not competing nowadays, she holds the reins as Managing Director of Wade Group, a successful New Zealand-based company which designs and manufactures category-leading bespoke equine coaches, motorsport transporters, police vehicles, ambulances and an impressive list of custom fleet solutions.
Alyssa’s father, Roy Wade, founded the business in the early 1980s. Roy was known for his keen eye for detail and impeccable craftsmanship, qualities that he took time to instil in his team then, and still very much drive Wade’s team today.
Roy loved nice cars and as well as his passion for motor racing he spent much of his time restoring them. While this passion influenced Wade’s business activities in the early days, it didn’t take long for him to realise other opportunities for the passionate team he was building.
“Dad and the team built all kinds of things back in the day – one week they’d be building tour buses, the next they’d be converting left-hand drive imported Chevvy trucks to build ambulances on – we were constantly evolving,” says Alyssa.
WADE EQUINE COACHES
By the time Wade built its first equine coach in 1993, the business had built a substantial team occupying several buildings in Te Rapa, Hamilton. This first coach was destined to support Alyssa as she competed in events throughout New Zealand, turning heads and attracting lots of interest from other riders.
It didn’t take long for the orders to start rolling in and Wade quickly began to specialise in the up-until-then very traditional equine transportation space.
Many innovations and industry firsts rolled off Wade’s production line, such as slide-out living, quiet push-button hydraulic tailgate ramps and interchangeable horse bay gate systems to name a few. High-end materiality and superior fittings, combined with impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail, delivered a level of luxury and finish never seen before.
The Wade Equine Platinum.
Today, Wade Equine builds a range of coaches to suit a vast range of rider needs – from the compact affordable Weekender through to the nothing spared specification Wade Equine Diamond.
Alyssa takes a hands-on personalised approach helping customers find the right configuration and interior design look and feel to suit them perfectly.
“Often I’m dealing with a customer in another part of the world so we do online meetings and lots of phone calls to define colours, fabrics, laminates and leathers. Together we create a unique mood board which speaks to their individual style and flair,” Alyssa says.
DRIVEN TO PERFORM
Given Roy Wade’s fascination with motor racing it was no surprise that Alyssa’s sister Louise took up Karting from an early age. Just like her Dad, Louise was highly competitive, racing in events throughout the Waikato and further afield.
Louise Wade racing back in the day.
Seeing a big gap in the market, the Wade team began developing highly specialised race car transporters which integrated luxurious yet practical living spaces for busy race teams on the circuit. With each iteration Wade honed and refined their transporters seeking the perfect mix of functionality and form.
“If we weren’t away with the horses eventing, our family was at the race track. We saw a massive gap in the market for high-end transporters that offered comfort and good looks – the rest is history,” Alyssa says.
Wade’s Titanium Motorsport Transporter embodies decades of on-track experience and beautiful craftsmanship. Wade’s team works closely with the client race team to design and build the ultimate base which suits their unique approach and strategy.
Fully climate-controlled luxurious habitat, secure and sensible race car bays, vast storage for tools and spares, right down to large capacity integrated beer coolers and barbecues – no creature comfort is overlooked.
Wade Titanium Motorsport Transporter.
Bespoke luxury throughout.
For example, the Wade Titanium Motorsport Transporter has become an invaluable part of the celebrated Manson family’s racing journey across New Zealand. “It not only provides us with the best transport to the track but also ensures that we travel in comfort and style, turning race weekends into something truly special,” says leading driver Sebastian Manson, who raced this season in the Formula Regional Series in Japan and is aiming to join IndyCar racing in the United States.
With its state-of-the-art amenities and thoughtful design, the Transporter makes long trips feel effortless, allowing the family to focus on what matters most – their shared passion for racing.
“The hospitality provided by our Wade Titanium is truly exceptional, and it’s become a highlight for our entire family. Travelling to race tracks across New Zealand has never been easier or more enjoyable, thanks to the thoughtful touches and incredible amenities, a perfect blend of comfort and convenience.”
SERVING THE SERVICES
Beyond these standout horse coaches and motorsport transporters, driving down any road on any given day in New Zealand, you’re extremely likely to pass a Wade fitted-out police vehicle, ambulance, prisoner transporter, civil defence vehicle… the list goes on.
Wade Group Headquarters is home to almost 100 highly skilled and highly experienced designers, coachbuilders, motor trimmers, electrical engineers, welders, signwriters, fitters and fabricators.
Over the decades the team’s grown steadily to meet the demands of large government fleet contracts and a multitude of other large niche fleet fitouts, giving the Wade group an international reputation.
ON SHOW IN AUSTRALIA
Wade Equine are excited to be in Sydney for the 2024 Wade Equine NSW Horse of the Year Show in October, and again at Equitana in Melbourne in November. Alyssa will be available to show you through a highly specified Wade Equine Signature Plus in person.
“I’m really looking forward to catching up with friends and clients. It’s always a pleasure showing riders through our coaches – their feedback is gold and it’s a great way to stay connected with the equestrian community.”
Bookings are advised to ensure you have Alyssa’s full attention. Call Alyssa Wade on +64 21 822 810 or email alyssa@wadeequine.com
This article was written in conjunction with Wade Equine. Find out more about their range of trucks here. EQ
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