National Champion 

Kuranui College student Lucy Marshall is the 2019 NZ Mounted Games under fourteen champion. The title was achieved riding her pony Tommy at the New Zealand Championships were held over eight days in January at Christchurch. 

The first two days were the singles championship preliminary rounds with the finals held on the third day. 

Two days were then given to tuition given jointly by the New Zealand  team coach and an Irish trainer. 

The Canterbury team championships were  held over the last three days of the event. Lucy was a member of both the under seventeen and the open grade teams. Both teams won their competition. 

Jeremy Thurston from Kahutara riding Copper was a member of the winning open grade team and was chosen as a member of the New Zealand team . Jeremy was also a member of the New Zealand team which competed in America last year.

One for older folk

It is a tragedy how often people buy into the myth that our cognitive abilities inevitably diminish once we are in middle age.

If you are of over a ‘certain age you might enjoy this encouraging list from Psychology Today.

• Leo Tolstoy learned to ride a bicycle at 67.
• Queen Victoria began learning Hindustani at 68.
• Giuseppe Verdi was still composing operas in his 80’s.
• Somerset Maugham wrote his last book at 84.
• Frank Lloyd Wright designed his last building at 89.
• In their 90’s, Robert Frost was writing poems and George Bernard Shaw was writing plays. Georgia O’Keefe was painting pictures, and Pablo Casals was playing cello.
• Oliver Wendell Holmes was still dominating the Supreme Court until he retired at 91.
• Linus Pauling (chemist) was actively publishing just before his death at 93.

Leopold Stokowski (conductor) recorded 20 albums in his 90’s and signed a six-year contract at 96.

Nurture your Gut

The importance of good gut health for optimal physical and mental health is a popular topic right now, and for good reason! With over a trillion bacteria residing in our gut, research is showing us that this beneficial army within our bodies has many important roles – from enhancing our immune function, to assisting with a healthy body weight and metabolism, right through to playing a crucial role in our mood (including depression and anxiety).

Our gut health has changed in recent times, with less diversity in our gut biome than found in previous generations. If we think about our gut biome as a community with different bacteria having different jobs to do, this decreased diversity is like a community with no teachers, nurses, lawyers, farmers or plumbers to do those important roles. The community wouldn’t function at an ideal level, and so too our gut won’t either if some of the beneficial bacteria are missing or in insignificant numbers to do their various jobs.

Researchers are blaming our modern way of living as playing a role in reducing the diversity of our gut biome. Antibiotics, anti-bacterials, too little green time and too much screen time, processed foods, too little fibre, and too much stress are all factors that affect the health and numbers of our gut biome. Addressing these factors can help bring a positive balance to our gut and allow our body to function optimally. … Continue Reading

Pet’s Heat Stroke 

It’s the time of year we all enjoy, having fun in the sun! Good to get outside and get that nice summer glow. But what about our four legged friends?

We have lots of ways to protect ourselves from the sun such as sunscreen, hats, the shade of our homes and air conditioning if it gets too much. Instead of sweating, dogs eliminate heat by panting and seeking shade. When panting isn’t enough, a dog’s body temperature rises. This can be fatal if not corrected quickly. 

Excessive panting and signs of discomfort indicate overheating in dogs. Other signs of a dog suffering from heatstroke include drooling, reddened gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, mental dullness or loss of consciousness, uncoordinated movement, and collapse. If you see these symptoms in your dog, you should take them to your vet immediately for medical care. 

Owners can start the cooling process on the way to the vet by wetting the dog and running the car air conditioner. For farm dogs this may mean a dip in a trough and a trip into town on the back of the truck. … Continue Reading