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.
Suzanne Rogers – Admin, horses and programmes
Suzanne took on the role as office administrator in July 2021. She has been coming out to Leg-Up for about 5 years with a group of children from St Matthew’s Primary, where she worked as a Teacher Aide. Suzanne is from Christchurch and after some time in Auckland she moved to The Bay with her family in 2000. She is married and has 1 grown son. Suzanne’s love of horses developed out here at Leg-Up. Her favourite hobby is reading either in the sunshine or in front of a cosy fire on a cold day.
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 period 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
