Are You in Australia and Dreaming of an Xtreme Horse, but Have No Idea Where to Start?

You're not alone! Each year, we see more and more Australian Eventers and show jumpers, ranging from young riders and amateurs through to seasoned professionals, adding one of our Xtreme horses to their team.

Whether it’s for competitive ambitions or simply bringing a quality best friend into your stable, demand from across the ditch is growing rapidly.

But what is actually involved in buying and importing a horse from New Zealand to Australia?

If you’ve never purchased a horse from overseas or don’t have the help of a coach, friend, or agent the process can feel overwhelming. We can assure you it is much easier than you think and we’re here to guide you every step of the way

Step One: Get in Touch!

The first step is simply reaching out. This can be via email, WhatsApp, or social media, but send us a message and we’ll set up a time for a friendly call. This will help us understand:

• What you're looking for in your next horse

• Your riding experience and goals

• The type of horse that would suit you best

• What horses we have currently in your budget tier
  

From there we can begin to build a shortlist of potential matches that hopefully could be your next superstar.

Step Two: Come for a Ride

We are located in Otaki, just an hour north of Wellington International Airport. The easiest way to get to us is to fly into Wellington and rent a car for the short drive up to the stud.

We strongly recommend bringing your coach with you. Trying new horses in a new arena and riding in unfamiliar tack can be intimidating, but having your coach alongside you can help you feel more confident and supported, and they work alongside us to help ensure the right match is made.

To support this, if you bring your coach with you and decide to purchase a horse, we will take NZD $1,000 off the purchase price to help cover their travel costs.

Once you're here, we’ll have a selection of horses ready for you to try. You’ll first watch them under saddle with one of our riders, and then you are welcome to have a ride yourself. There is never any pressure from us, let us know what you’re thinking along the way so we can help you the best we can.

We always welcome clients to return for a second day to ride, especially if you've travelled from overseas. A second ride on your top one or two horses the following morning can be incredibly helpful for the exciting decision ahead.

Step Three: Vetting and Travel

Hopefully at this point you have found a horse you want to add to your team! You are welcome to arrange a pre-purchase examination (PPE). We can provide details for specialist vets who can perform thorough specialist vetting.

After the vetting is complete and you’re ready to proceed, we’ll assist you with organising the export process.

Most of our horses travel with IRT who provide weekly flights from New Zealand to Australia, and can arrange onward travel to most parts of Australia. The process is simple:

1. A few export forms are filled out

2. A MPI (NZ Biosecurity) appointed vet performs a pre-departure health check (this includes microchipping and export clearance)

3. Your horse is trucked to Auckland International Airport

4. They fly to Australia and are trucked to their final destination. No quarantine required when coming from New Zealand!
   

We can also collect a DNA sample during the pre-departure check so we can organise Hanoverian passports, if applicable.

What Happens After Arrival?

The journey can be long, and your new horse will have just left behind everything it has known for the last 5-6 years. We will provide you with a comprehensive settling in guide and are always available to answer questions or offer support.

The horse you saw when you came to Xtreme Sport Horses, is a true representation of the horse you have purchased. If you notice any changes in their behaviour once they arrive, we would always suggest investigating a reason for why. 

To help with a smooth transition, we prepare our horses with Australian clients in mind. We feed CopRice feeds (available across Australia) and recommend Poseidon Animal Health supplements, which are easily sourced nationwide.

It’s Easier Than You Think

With regular weekly flights, no quarantine, and our team guiding you through each step, importing a horse from New Zealand is very achievable. Whether you’re a first time buyer or a professional looking for your next champion, we are here to make the experience exciting and stress free.

So if you've been watching from across the ditch and wondering how you can get your hands on one of our incredible horses, now you know where to start!!!

Get in touch today, and let’s start the journey of adding you to TEAM XTREME!