Merlin's magical win in the Ashburton Flying Stakes on Labour Day led to a welcome $10,000 windfall for the Trust.

As part of their support of Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sports (TiES) NZTR will enable the horse ambulance to be present for internationally ranked cross-country events and at the 2025 Horse of the Year show.

The "Here for the Horse” campaign will run for the next few weeks, warming up winter racing.

“This campaign is about raising funds and awareness of our work in caring for the welfare and well-being of the equine athletes," said NZ Horse Ambulance Trust (NZHAT) Operations and Engagement Manager Jo Starr.

Canterbury Jockey Club’s sponsorship tender for the upcoming $100,000 synthetic innovation race on Wednesday, 7 August has raised $3,000 for NZ Horse Ambulance Trust.

The Club launched a unique naming rights tender to sponsor the inaugural race. The funds raised will go directly to the equine welfare charity.

From 2009 to 2011, Dr Bill Bishop served as the President for the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association, a special interest branch of the NZVA. During his term, Bill and his executive were instrumental in developing the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust. Bill secured significant funding for this project, working with Peter Gillespie to organise the national fleet of horse ambulances to attend race meetings and transport injured horses safely.

While most race meetings run without incident, there are occasions when a horse is injured or becomes unwell. Prompt access to specialist veterinary care and safe transport in a horse ambulance are lifesavers for these animals.

Being on the ground at Tōmoana Showgrounds in Hastings for Horse of the Year was a game-changer for the Trust; it's the largest equestrian event attended since the first horse ambulance was deployed in November 2018.

Well known West Melton standardbred trainer Margo Nyhan and partner Peter Davis are ever grateful for the presence of a horse ambulance. On three separate occasions in the past year one of their horses has been injured and subsequently safely transported by horse ambulance, most recently their enigmatic trotter The Fox.

“It is to all of our four-legged friends that The Salient Equine Trust is dedicated to in one way or another; be it those people who strive to better their welfare and wellbeing.”