Paxton Conder

Paxton Conder is well-known to her peers and competitors for her dedication to the equine sports she’s involved with. Whilst her day job entails working as a marketing manager for Dunstan Horsefeeds she also competes in showjumping and is involved in several committees.

Paxton grew up in Matamata riding ponies throughout her childhood. Her parents were both participants and owners who were emersed in the thoroughbred industry. When Paxton received her restricted licence she began riding trackwork for Lance Noble. Later on, whilst at university she rode track for Karen Fursdon for six years. She began working for Pam Ryan and Equineworld selling thoroughbred advertising which led to working with her at Stuff. After her time with Pam, she went to Counties race club doing marketing and three and a half years ago she moved to Dunstan Horsefeeds to her current role.

Paxton can be found at home riding her horses when not at work. Currently, she has two horses that she competes with. Not one to overthink things Paxton concentrates on what she enjoys and makes it all happen one way or another. Rising early, Paxton rides her horses before she comes to the office but she genuinely enjoys riding and uses it as her out. But making and adding small things at her home in Whatawhata has made life a touch easier including adding paddocks and an arena for her horses to stay and train in at home. On the weekends when she is not away for work Paxton is often found competing around New Zealand and enjoying its spoils. She also credits her horse Elsie as one of her greatest joys. Elsie came into the picture when Paxton bought her for ‘one more crack’ at showjumping after an accident at Matamata track left her with a broken C1 in her neck while schooling a horse. In her determination after a year off of

riding, Paxton returned to the same jump where she fell and had another crack where she jumped it clear. Paxton even had a few rides as an amateur rider! But come July the horses go out for a holiday for six weeks and Paxton swaps the riding boots for gumboots to help partner Tom on the farm with the calves. She also credits him and her family as a great support network to allow her to achieve everything she does.

On top of work and riding Paxton is on several committees and representations as riders rep for ESNZ jumping and moving into a 3-year term as a board member come July, chair of the Waikato jumping group, on the Waikato show hunter group committee, matamata equestrian group committee and a group of people including Paxton started the future of the racing committee. What became a great fit for Paxton work-wise is that Dunstan is a huge supporter of the equine discipline and put a lot of time and money into helping and sponsorships where appropriate. Dunstan is a huge supporter and sometimes can be overwhelming for Paxton to keep track of all of the sponsorships they’re involved in but with a laugh cites it as ‘Pretty bloody cool’ the support they show and importantly align with Paxton’s values. Dunstan Feeds is New Zealand owned and made and filled with a strong team culture.

What Paxton loves about being involved in the equine world is the people and the aspect of the horse. The equine community is such a tight-knit group that welcomes everyone in, gets stuck in, and helps each other. The spirit of the community is highlighted through bad times (unfortunately) and most recently the Hawkes Bay flooding which quite literally destroyed everything it touched. The community rallied together by raising money, sending supplies and goods and personally for Paxton, Dunstan Feeds got involved by taking down essentials for horses and people. If there’s anything Paxton would like to see in the future it’s seeing more young people get involved in equine from working, activities/competitions and becoming involved on boards and committees. Young people are the future and events such as ride to time and pony scurries are incredible attributes to the racing industry to see more young kids and families getting involved. Through other equine disciplines, the continued support of pony clubs and events for children to partake in helps them build bonds with horses.

Without Paxton and her dedication professionally and personally, she would leave a gaping hole, there is so much that she does for the good of the industry. Through her various roles on boards and committees, her dedication to competing and finally her role at Dunstan feeds in coordinating marketing and organizing sponsorship there is so much she achieves and expects nothing back. The New Zealand equine world is in debt to Paxton for all that she does.