from Southland Times (dated 29Dec10)

Waikaia mother and daughter Helen and Katie Christie have been living the horse lovers' dream, volunteering at a top international event in Kentucky this year.

The pair volunteered as stewards at the World Equestrian Games in October, an event second only to the Olympics.

Mrs Christie said the whole experience was amazing.

"If you're involved in the horse world, it's like being in a dream for a few weeks," she said.

"When you put all the best horses in the world in the same place, it's going to be a good thing."

Mrs Christie, who is a New Zealand eventing selector, judge and FEI steward, said the highlight of her trip was the bronze medal placing of the New Zealand men's eventing team.

She said the event had been a great experience for her 20-year-old daughter Katie, who is a keen eventer and showjumper.

"It was her first event out of Australasia and everything was put on for us.

"Katie ended up running the stewards' office for a few days."

Volunteering was a really neat way for keen equestrian riders to attend top international events, Mrs Christie said.

"We could get access everywhere.

"We were able to watch all the top showjumpers in the world."

The world games were the fourth international event Mrs Christie had attended this year, and she wasn't showing any signs of slowing down.

She was planning to be at the New Zealand Horse of the Year show in Hastings next March and an Easter event in Queensland.

One of three national selectors, she is also looking forward to the London Olympics.

"We're already looking at the squad for the Olympics in 2012."