Ros Rowe - Founder/Co-ordinator
Hawke’s Bay born and bred, Ros founded the Leg-Up Trust in 2002 (incorporated in 2003) when it grew out of her horse trekking business in Te Awanga.
She has been around horses most of her life, albeit with a frustrating break when illness kept her largely bedridden for 20 years.
The Trust, based on Christian principles, has been her passion since its inception and there has been little time for anything else. However, in her rare spare time she loves to garden, read and write. She has written three books. In the late 70s she had a friendship with a wild bottlenose dolphin, Horace, and the experience was a catalyst for Leg-Up many years later.
She has two adult children and three granddaughters.
Sandy Dooney – Admin, horses and programmes
Proud mother of two daughters, both of whom are horse mad and one of whom also works for Leg-Up, Sandy plays a dual role, with the office administration being her main focus. She has had her own horses for many years and enjoys sharing this interest with the people who come to Leg-Up. Her other passion is working with plants.
Becky Dooney – Youth worker
Horses have always been a big part of Becky’s life. She volunteered here in her high school years and through tertiary study. After studying and gaining a degree at EIT Becky worked in the wine industry but has now returned to Leg-Up as the youth worker.
Becky’s other interests include riding, getting out and about with friends and creating art.
Jai Stanford – Horses and programmes
Volunteering here since October 2020 we were proud to take Jai aboard as a staff member in February 2021. His primary responsibility is running the school classes but he also takes pride in looking after and learning about the horses.
Jai also enjoys graphic design and playing chess in his spare time.
Karys-Rose Ramsay - Horses and programmes
Karys has grown up around horses with them being a huge part of her life. This led her to Leg-Up through a gateway programme in early 2020.
After finishing school she was snapped up for work here to use her knowledge and develop more skills with natural horsemanship.
Outside of work Karys enjoys working with her young horses, hiking and running.
Lily Riley - Horses and programmes
Lily started volunteering here with us in the beginning of 2019. Like Karys she has now finished school and works two days a week but volunteers for the other three. She’s an all-rounder out here, helping with the horses and children. After finishing a day’s work at Leg-Up she starts her other job as an after school carer.
Outside of work Lily enjoys being involved in her churches youth group, socialising with friends and some retail therapy.
Finn Wotherspoon - Horses and programmes
Finn started here at Leg-up in August of 2019 through the Rangatahi Ma Scheme run by the Hastings District Council. After that initial six month peroid Leg-Up employed him to care for the horses and help with the students.
Finn loves to help people grow and achieve, reading non-fiction books and of course all animals.
Allan Rowe - Part time maintenance man
Allan is in charge of keeping the tools, gear and machinery up and running as well as general maintenance of the property.
His main passions in life are racing pigeons and taking care of his dog Missy.
Volunteers
Leg-Up operates mainly through the goodwill of volunteers, and we have a great team of people doing their bit for a few hours each week.
Our dedicated team includes Shane Bruere, Graeme Wallace, Deb Scott, Suzie, Di Romans, Margie McNeill, Gretchen.
Trustees
Laurie Jenkin - Chairperson
Charlie Janes - Trustee
Glenise McGaffin - Trustee
Di Romans - Trustee & volunteer
