Cheleken Stud - Horses, Auckland, New Zealand

I had a very positive experience buying Cordyline H from Cheleken Equestrian. Ana and Victoria were friendly and knowledeable and the horse I was looking at was always well presented. They were 100% honest about what the horse had done and what they thought it was capable of doing, both the good things and the bad things so that I had no surprises when he came home. I was made welcome when I came to watch him compete and they were happy for both my husband and my trainer to come on seperate occasions to see the horse, prior to my making a decision. They have done a professional and thorough job of producing a lovely young horse who I expect to have many happy years with. Thank you!! Carolyn Hansen.
I have known Ana and Victoria Rattray for many years and I have found them to be totally professional in every way. I take my clients to their establishment because I know they will be shown top quality sport horses that will be well produced, trained and presented. Their attention to detail is obvious in the quality of horses available. Buying horses from Cheleken Stud is hassle free and the after sales conduct is excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their services to anyone on any level. Ana and Victoria have excellent communication skills with breeders, buyers and sellers and have always been totally honest and trustworthy in their dealings. Penny Stevenson Trainer /Agent Chestnut Glade, Cambridge, NZ
I was fortunate that Cheleken Stud agreed to take my horse Zack for sale on behalf, at short notice over the Christmas period 07 . The facilities on the internet impressed me, and I was even more confident when we dropped Zack off for the training & sale process. They bought Zack back into fitness to ensure he was capable of going to a competitive jumping (showhunter etc) home. The training regime was over a period that was attainable for him to cope with, ensuring he was physically & mentally capable and performing at his best. During this time there was no stress for me, as I was very timepoor due to work commitments. When Zack was ready for sale he was advertised and sold straight away to an appropriate loving home. He is a very talented horse and is in a competitive home, where he is being thoroughly looked after. I am hugely grateful to the Rattray's for this peace of mind. Anna Bryant Waitemata Auckland
Hi , Chloe here . Just thought I would e-mail you and tell you Packet is fabulous. We did show hunter on Sunday and he did 4 perfect clear rounds.He has been a dream in every way. Thought I'd just send you a few pictures of Pakie. 2nd picture is him clearing the 1.30m Joker at North Island showjumping champs =] He's been absolutely awesome. At Helensville A&P he had many wins / placings in the saddle hunter ,in the jumping he cleaned up, took almost every win and won around $500 for the day ( very impressed) He then went on to do Hunter trials the next weekend and won almost every trophy possible. ( winning wire jump too! ) and heaps of prizes! He then did the Coatesville ODE (Training) which he won overall that means he has to now move to open. Our instructor at pony club said I should try out for pony club champs next season so im really excited about that! Thanks so much for my awesome horse! I feel extremely lucky to have him!! Chloe
I was lucky enough to win the National Four Year Old Class at the Young Horse Show, which was sponsored by Cheleken Stud. Part of the prize was a free service to one of their stallions. Topsy was the lucky lady who went to Cheleken Stud to meet her husband Uprising. The Rattrays went out of their way to pick her up from a show and take her back to their place, saving me on transportation costs. Topsy was very quickly mated and scanned in foal. Ana communicated well with me so I always knew what was going on. The Rattrays were excellent about letting her stay up their for awhile. At the time we had little grass and the transport company took quite some time in picking her up; but I felt she was most welcome to stay as long as needed, which was nice as you often feel pressured to get them home as quickly as possible. Topsy is quite a timid mare and I know the handling she had at Cheleken Stud was positive. When she came home she was good to catch which is not usually the case. She looked lovely, not only in condition but had been tidied up and looked more like a show horse than broodmare. All in all my experience with Cheleken Stud has been excellent and I would very much recommend their services to anyone thinking about using them. They are very knowledgeable, kind to the horses and get excellent results. I now can't wait for the end result, which I am sure will be a beautiful baby! Kim Zander Hawkes Bay, NZ
View across neighbouring farms. Cheleken Stud, Mangatangi.

We bought Cheleken Arwen only five months ago, and are really impressed with her.

She has such a sweet nature, paces which are developing every day and a jump which is to die for.
I bought her to hopefully develop into a 4* event horse, so was looking for a young horse with supreme quality, and so far she is growing into a fabulous young horse.
Every time she competes she gets stuck in and gives everything I ask a try, always coming home with prizes!

Megan Finlayson
Advanced Event Rider
Northland , NZ

Ana and Victoria pay the utmost attention to every aspect of their business; breeding, training and showing, sales and follow-up.
They run one of the most professional operations in New Zealand, borrowing the best from the American and European systems.Cheleken Horses are impeccably cared for and turned out.
Ana gives a lesson that is undeniably a "10", absolutely first-rate. And after the sale, if you need advice or help, it’s there. Peruse a program at most New Zealand equestrian events, and you’ll see horses competing bearing the highly respected "Cheleken" name, synonymous with highest quality.

Stephanie Stephens
2004 USEF Media Award Winner
Three-time American Horse Publications Award Winner, Former horse park manager, TV commentator; show-jumping rider
Laguna Niguel, California, USA

Cheleken Ruanuku


I thought I would send you a short report on Veda’s progress here in the States.(Cheleken Upmarket) We went to a combined training schooling show this weekend. I couldn’t have been more pleased with our rides and results. We rode a novice dressage test and received 74% so I couldn’t have been happier. She jumped a clear round show jumping; she was awesome, especially for her first time out. I’m really focusing more on dressage with her, and we mainly jump for fun. She really enjoys it and is very talented. She has truly won the hearts and minds of all my horsy friends. My trainer thinks highly of her. While I love her gaits and temperament, I think the best part as how calm and unflappable she is. In a nutshell - she’s great, I love her, and I hope we can go places! Georganne Benesch California, U.S.	Cheleken Upmarket

I bought my lovely mare Lily (Cheleken Tigerlily) from Cheleken Stud in July 2004. I was looking for a nice young horse to bring along after coming back from a fairly serious injury, and Lily fitted the bill perfectly! I fell in love with her the minute I saw her, she was beautifully presented and had a lovely look in her eyes. Everybody at Cheleken was friendly and helpful, and answered all my questions completely. From the moment she stepped off the truck, Lily has been wonderful to deal with. You can do anything with her, no fuss. My children adore her, too, and she is really a member of the family. I've had many compliments on her from friends and equine industry professionals as well. Jane Morgan Matangi, NZ	Cheleken Tigerlily

I am very fortunate to have three great ponies but Noah (Cheleken Apollo) really is exceptional.
He has a great attitude and is very willing to learn which was emphasized by his performance last season. In his first year of NZEF competition he was placed in both Pony Grand Prix SJ and Elementary dressage. His best performances to date are 2nd in the Pony Grand Prix (3 star) at the Royal Easter Show and 5th in the Dressage Pony of the Year (HOY) which was his second dressage competition.
One of the reasons he has done so well is that he is a very quick learner. Once he learns something he never forgets it and he gives 100% to every thing he does. We also own Cheleken Ren and we have noticed that they have very similar attitudes and behaviour which we think must be part of the breeding.
Noah has a great jumping technique; the size or width of jumps never fazes him. He has a lot of scope, which he probably got from his breeding (Cheleken Cloudy Bay X Cheleken Leading Lady). He is excellent in the paddock and is always great fun to ride.
I love him in every way.

Genevieve Rogers
Auckland, NZ

While making our purchase we found the Cheleken Stud very thorough and approachable with any questions we had, making the process enjoyable and hassle free. Cheleken Hokey Pokey has lots of character, is fast to learn, easy to handle and all round a pleasure to own.

Melissa Peters
Te Kauwhata, NZ

Cheleken Voyager HOY 2006
5th Place Five Year Old Showjumper Final

My husband and I have dealt with the Cheleken Stud for close to 10 years. We have purchased young horses from them at all stages of schooling and have always marvelled at the overall condition and manners of the horses.
No expense is spared or short cuts taken when it comes to the conditioning, basic handling and schooling. All the horses have been purchased sight unseen and we have been thrilled with them all! The last horse, Cheleken Timothy John, was a large 17.2hh chestnut fellow who had a brain to die for!
Christian Thiess, my trainer of almost 20 years, when giving clinics at our property always referred to him as "his horse". Have you got my horse ready yet, Jeanette?
I am an NZEF Trainer/Coach, Listed Dressage Judge and NZEF Bronze Award Holder; my husband being an NZEF as well as FEI Equine Veterinarian; so we have a reasonable idea of what a horse should look like, irrespective of which discipline they may be destined for.
Unfortunately I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 18 months ago and have had to sell all my 'big chaps' due to lower body weakness.
I was left with a stunning big grey fellow whom I was unable to school due to his sheer size. Ana and Victoria stepped in and have been schooling him for approximately 6 months with outstanding results.
He had his first SH outing and was placed in both classes and 2 weeks later his first dressage outing where he blitzed the Prelim's with 82% and won the other test with 72! He is still only 5 years old.
He has subsequently been sold and the new owner seems thrilled with her new equine partner.
Cheleken Stud produces top, international quality youngsters. They are allowed to grow and become 'horses' until they are brought in and very carefully taught that life has new meaning! Their physical and mental health is second-to-none as is their basic schooling both on the flat and over jumps.
Every solid house needs a steady, well-built foundation and that is what you get if you purchase a horse from Cheleken Stud.
Exceptional training and exceptional horses make all things possible.

Dr Jim and Mrs Jeanette Robins
Equine Veterinarian
Taranaki, NZ

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