Welcome to the Central Otago Hunt 35th Anniversary Week

29 MAY - 2 JUNE 2024

The Central Otago Hunt is lucky enough to be based among some of the most spectacular hunting country in New Zealand. For our 35th Anniversary celebration, we have selected four of our most iconic properties. At each hunt, we will provide a pre-hunt snack, and a post-hunt barbecue, so you can turn up with just your horse and your smile, and enjoy the sport!! Social events include a Barn Dance on Thursday night, and activities on the Friday rest day which will get you out and about exploring the scenery and history of the Maniototo area.

Accommodation

Home base for the week will be at Lorraine and Stu Duncan’s Wedderburn Cottages venue, at 7145 Wedderburn-Becks Road. Please indicate on your registration if you will be camping here - there is a small charge of $10/person/night, and grazing fee of $10/horse/night, all of which we pass on to the landowners. There is plenty of space here for parking trucks and floats, and spacious areas to set up paddocks for your horses (bring your own tape and standards). Water is available across the property, there is a flush toilet within the woolshed plus portaloos across the site, and for a donation you can also use the shared shower facilities at the cottages if you are camping (there is an honesty box in the shower room). Ranfurly is a 15-minute drive away for all your shopping requirements, and the Wedderburn Tavern is directly across the road for refreshments and meals.

Please direct any inquiries about accommodation other than camping to Ange Stockdale on 027 229 1336 - she will be able to help you find a place to stay. 

Hunt Venues

On Wednesday we hunt at the properties of the Paterson and Helm families, a short drive south from our Wedderburn base. This is a grandstand property, with a central plateau overseeing extensive rolling country. Hunting here tends to be long easy runs, great for spectators and a fabulous introduction to our busy week. A highlight of this hunt will be following our huntsman and Master Richard Michelle, who is in the final season of his 18 year service as Central Otago huntsman.

On Thursday we visit Idavale, where owners Johnny Hore and Jenny Kennedy are Life Members of our Hunt, and their hospitality is outstanding. Hunting at Idavale is usually hard and fast, with a huge amount of land to explore, and we look forward to following young superstar huntswoman Jayne Beattie here, with her Otago Hunt pack.

Friday is a rest day for the horses, then no need to load up on Saturday morning, as we will be riding out from our Wedderburn base. The Duncan’s property here is an absolute gem, with terrain that varies from rolling tussockland in the north, to flatter crop land in the east. Expect lots of action, especially when we drop into Hare City!!

Sunday sees us back at Idavale, but this time we will ride out to the western side of this extensive venue. For both Saturday and Sunday, we will be combining the Central Otago and Eastern Southland packs, so expect some exhilarating sport from our two legendary huntsmen Dick and Churchy.

Thursday night Barn Dance

Get up and dance with the infectious beat of the Brad Staley trio. Following their much talked about performance at Otago Hunt’s celebration last year, we have invited this popular band back for an encore. Be ready to bid in our awesome auction, with some amazing products up for grabs from our generous sponsors and members. Transport and supper included.

Friday Activities

Gin, Wine & Whisky tasting. Approx. 2.30pm-4.30pm

This will be based in the beautifully renovated, on-site Wedderburn Woolshed, where you will be guided through a range of locally distilled products, while enjoying some down-to-earth Southern hospitality. Finger food supplid by the fabulous Floral & Feast Cafe.

Buffet dinner at the Wedderburn Tavern (limit 150 people)

The indomitable Angela Stockdale would love to host you for dinner at the storied Wedderburn Tavern.  A hearty buffet will include hot meats, potatoes, hot veges, salads and dinner rolls. A great opportunity for a relaxing catch up at the much loved home-base of the Central Otago Hunt.

Thankyou to all our visitors

All funds raised from this week will go toward the procurement of a Hunt property, to safeguard the future of our pack and our Hunt. We offer a heartfelt thankyou to all our visitors for their contribution, and we look forward to hosting you and showing you around our special part of the world.  

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Cancellation policy

Any cancellations received prior to the 30th April 2024 will receive a 95% refund. No refunds will be given for any cancellations after this date.

Central Otago Hunt reserves the right to limit numbers, change hunt venues or cancel hunts without refund due to adverse weather conditions.

Friday activities may be cancelled if insufficient numbers register. If this happens, registrants will be notified by email, and full refunds for affected activities will be given.

Late payments and registrations

Any payments received after 30th April will incur a late fee of 20% of the total cost. Any registrations received after 30th April will be charged a late fee of 20% of the total cost.