Sarah Twentyman Loves Her Job At Kilgravin Lodge

One of New Zealand’s leading horse women, Sarah Twentyman, says her role at Matamata-based Kilgravin Lodge is a dream job.

Sarah (26), a top eventing and showjumping rider in her own right, is the stable manager at Kilgravin Lodge where she has worked for three years.

She runs the day-to-day side of the operation. She assists with breaking-in and provides guidance to the riders when required at Kilgravin Lodge.

“Being around horses is my dream job and Kilgravin Lodge provides that opportunity for me,” she says.

“I have learned a lot from Eion Kemp (co owner) who is always willing to share his knowledge of horsemanship skills,” Twentyman says.

“I have watched Eion closely and based what I do around him so that the horses are in no doubt of what to expect from both of us,” she says. “It is a very natural way of educating young horses and you have to look at the results on the racetrack of the horses we have had go through the sales to see it is working.”

Group One winners Sangster, Zurella and Artistic are shining examples of the level of success that Kilgravin Lodge has been achieving in recent times.

“Eion is always thinking ahead of what is going to work best for the operation and its clients,” Sarah says. “He always has the welfare of the horses at heart and treats them all as individuals and caters for their needs accordingly”

Eion Kemp of Kilgravin Lodge says: “Sarah Twentyman has a sound practical knowledge of horses and what we are wanting to achieve at Kilgravin Lodge.”

Sarah has been an equestrian competitor since a very young age and at 17 was the youngest-ever rider to compete at three star level in eventing at the three-day event at Taupo.

In the past couple of years she has been plagued by injury setbacks but she is keen to resurrect her riding.