48 | RURAL PEOPLE » Riverhill Farm Diversifying income in the King Country With 2024 shaping up to be another financially challenging year for farmers, Dean is continuing to chase production. When an opportunity came up recently to buy an existing saddlery shop in Taumarunui, owned by Raewyn West, Sue put her hand up. Kim Newth King Country sheep and beef farmers Sue and Dean Gower and family share a passion for equestrian sports which they have now taken in a new direction as the owners and operators of their own online business, King Country Saddlery. The extra income stream is providing a welcome boost in tough economic times. Horses are part and parcel of life on Riverhills, the family’s hill country property near Ohura. Stockwork is mostly done on horseback. Sue and Dean’s children grew up on horses, regularly taking part in showjumping events and playing polocrosse. Daughter Tara, 17, is a member of the New Zealand Intermediate Polocrosse team, while her brother Curtis, 15, is in the Junior Polocrosse team coached by Dean. When an opportunity came up recently to buy an existing saddlery shop in Taumarunui, owned by Raewyn West, Sue put her hand up. With their equestrian background, it made sense to invest in a complementary business like this. “We knew we wouldn’t be able to run it as a physical shop; Sue’s older daughter, who lives in Australia and has a marketing degree, helped us get it up and running online.” Twelve months on and King Country Saddlery is trading well, offering a wide selection of top quality saddlery product, sourced both locally and from Australia. “From November to January, our sales really took off. Limited 168 Totara St, Manunui 3924 Ph 07 895 8492 • Mobile 027 418 670 info@ongaruetransport.co.nz Proud to be associated with Riverhill Farm
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=