Meet the Team - WRRC Limited

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to share our passion for horses, in all ways, shapes and forms. To help people in our community where we can trough the use of our horses, because they can. And to be one of the leading riding centres in New Zealand catering for and encouraging riders of all levels, from first timers to those who wish to pursue a competitive career or those who just ride for pleasure. With a strict focus on safety first which goes hand-in-hand with enjoyment of the activity, we want to offer a relaxed and friendly learning environment.

To achieve this we are committed to supporting local supplier products where possible, which includes environmentally friendly products that we can reasonably source.

Kathy Dee Korkie

Owner / Business Development Manager

Hi I am Dee, I have loved Horses all my life and started riding when I was 5 years old, I grew up in South Africa and immigrated to New Zealand in 2010. I have been in Business Development management, Sales and marketing for the past 17 years including owning my own businesses overseas . Giving me a wide variety of skills, Aside from my obvious passion for horse’s my other passion is People, Building relationships and developing their skills and confidence. I’m excited to be living my Dream of Working with horses and people and developing some exciting new programs to introduce to the Waimak River Riding Centre alongside my great Business Partner Amelie and our Team of staff. This will include Wellness programs, Mental Health programs, Clinics and many more! My beautiful boy Oliver the Clydesdale will be excited to meet you! So come and meet us and have a beautiful experience that you’ll never forget! So excited to see you soon!

Sacha Beaumont

Stablehand / Coach / Trekguide

Hiya my name is Sacha! I was born in Russia and moved to New Zealand when I was 6. I found my passion for horses after I sat on a miniature pony at a school fair and then tried to persuade my mother that we could keep him….and he would sleep in my room….under my bed, but to my disappointment she said no..so I decided at the age of 17 that I would work alongside them instead. Ever since then I have expanded my knowledge about the care and safety of horses through studying and working at different Riding schools.

My two dogs and three cats currently have all of my attention, I love food and my sleep ins!

I am super excited to be working at WRRC alongside an awesome team, so don’t be afraid to come say hi! You will usually find me with gumboots on my feet that have shoelaces in them, don’t ask why because they have no purpose they just look cool!

Sophie Parker

Stablehand / trekking

Hello, my name is Sophie and I was born and raised in Canterbury, I have been riding since i was about 6 and first fell in love with horses when I had a pony ride on one of my Aunty’s ponies in Australia. I’m very excited to be a part of the lovely team at WRRC and I’m very happy to be working with horses as that is something i’ve have longed to do for years, I love learning new things and passing them onto others. I currently have one horse who is a lovely ottb with such a kind nature. I would love to get to know clients and share what I know with you. I look forward to meeting you all!

Amelia McGill

Coach Contractor

Hi, I’m Amelia. I was born and raised here in Canterbury.

I started riding at 7 years old when I wouldn’t stop bugging my dad for lessons after a pony ride at his work Christmas party. After a lot of hard work (read: begging) I got my first horse at the age of 14. In 2020-2021 I completed a year and a half of full time study with horses at the National Trade Academy to earn multiple qualifications. I currently have 3 horses, all of which I have trained from the ground up.

My interests revolve around dressage, biomechanics, and equine behavioral sciences. I love teaching all levels of riders, from complete beginners through to more advanced riders. I enjoy helping riders with confidence issues and my more advanced lessons often focus on improving the horse’s way of going and working on movements found in ESNZ dressage tests.

Amelie Wouters-Reek

Owner / Instructor

Hello, my name is Amelie. I was born and raised in the Netherlands where I have lived for most of the last 47 years. I moved to New Zealand with my husband and 12 year old son in 2020. I started horse riding when I was 8 years old and have never stopped. I have done jumping, vaulting, dressage, trail riding, western riding and over the past 7 years I have been involved in carriage driving/marathon competitions. I am certified in natural horsemanship, gymnastic work for dressage horses and am an equine acupressure practitioner. And qualified coach/instructor. I can truly say that horses are my life. What I love most about them is the way they communicate with us and just how very good they are at letting us know what they need from us. Our hores are raised and trained in the most honest and uncomplicated way.
Whilst here, I fell in love with the place, the people and the country and now I’m living the dream of owning a riding centre and sharing my knowledge and experience with not only our horses but also with great New Zealand community. Horses have the ability to touch hearts in many different ways. I would love to share this with you.
I hope to meet you soon!

Jorja Cook

Stablehand / Coach / Trekguide

Hi all! I’m Jorja. I’ve been obsessed with horses since I can remember, but didn’t get the chance to ride until I moved to Christchurch back in 2016. I grew up on the West Coast and would make my parents drive me around to find horses in paddocks that I could pat!

Dressage is my passion, and I love teaching it as it really is the foundation for everything!

I learnt to ride here at WRRC, then left to spend 2 years studying everything horsey at National Trade Academy. I then went out into the equine world to find my passion! I’ve spent time as a groom for a showjumper, worked in Thoroughbred racing, and spent a lot of time with my aunt’s broodmares and foals among other things! But in the end I’ve been led back here to Waimak to share my passion with my students, so I’ve really come full circle!

I look forward to seeing you, whether it be for a trek, your first lesson, or your 100th lesson!

Zoe Dawson

Trek guide/stablehand

Hi! My name is Zoe, and I’m a student at UC in my last year studying Financial Engineering. I’ve grown up riding quite a bit, and after a few years off through high school I have loved getting back into it here and rediscovering my passion for horses. I love working here and spending time giving all my love and attention to our horses and ponies, and you will often find me overloading Courage with cuddles and snacks.
I would love to meet you and look forward to seeing you – I know you will love it here as much as I do!

Jean Harris

Guest Coach / Mentor

Hi I’m Jean Harris, I have worked with WRRC for many years now both as a personal coach and also with the School Holiday Riding Program. I have had many years training and teaching in England and France and I have also worked some years in Austria for Johanne Riegler of the Spanish Riding School. My passion is Dressage however I can also coach in Show Jumping and Cross Country.

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