Trent graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor

of Agricultural Science, majoring in Pasture Agronomy.

His love for harness racing began in his teens and quickly grew into a deep passion. While at university, Trent gained invaluable experience working alongside some of New Zealand's top harness racing trainers, laying the foundation for his dream of one day becoming a leading trainer himself.

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After graduating, Trent worked in his field of study for several years while simultaneously operating his Standardbred yearling preparation business, 5 Star Yearling Preparation. The business grew steadily, and Trent eventually had the largest draft at the PGG Wrightson South Island Standardbred Yearling Sales.

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In 2016/17, Trent took on a key management role at Dancingonmoonlight Farm, where he was responsible for caring for and standing the legendary stallion Christian Cullen, as well as overseeing pasture management and young stock handling.

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By 2017, as the business continued to expand, it rebranded as Ripple Creek Equine Services with a move to the Ohoka property, where its development began in earnest. The new name better reflected the broader range of services now being offered.

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Trent gained his harness racing trainer’s license and achieved his first significant successes with two wins by Blue Blazer, owned by Harvey Kaplan. Trent had spotted Blue Blazer’s potential from the moment he first laid eyes on him.

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In 2022, Trent expanded into thoroughbred training, and by December of that year, he celebrated his first galloping winner with Allasera at Kurow. His success in this field has grown quickly, and he now holds a public galloping trainer’s license. What began as a hobby has rapidly become an integral part of the business.

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Trent’s sharp eye for horses is a key asset to both his training and selection process. He is frequently involved in sourcing and purchasing both racing and breeding stock for his clients, ensuring they receive the best possible horses for their investments.

With 13 years of experience as a photographer and videographer, Sarah has honed her craft to capture the most dynamic moments in racing.

 

Coming from a competitive horseback riding background, her love for action and adrenaline has fueled her passion for creating content that brings the thrill of racing to life. After a fall ended her riding career, Sarah shifted her focus to the lens, combining her understanding of the sport with a commitment to producing high-quality visuals.

 

Her goal is to make the excitement of racing accessible and captivating for everyone—whether they’re lifelong fans or newcomers yet to experience the rush.

Meet Foreman Fox: the two-year-old with the heart and passion of a seasoned 50-year-old. This pint-sized dynamo may be young in age, but he’s got the drive of veteran.

 

Whether it’s keeping an eye on the horses' progress or lending a helping hand around the farm, Fox is always on the move.

His favorite hobbies? Crafting the perfect feed mix, filing hooves with the precision of a master farrier, and giving the whips a quick test on the stones (just to make sure they’re really ready for action).

 

Fox takes his job seriously, always ensuring that everything is in order—because nothing gets past this little boss!

When it comes to running the team, Fox knows just how to crack the whip (metaphorically, of course!). With his passion for structure and order, no task is too small or too big for him to manage. So, if you ever need a hand around the barn, you know who to call—just follow the sound of a tiny, determined little guy, bossing everyone around!

Meet Manager Monty: the nearly 1-year-old who’s as fast as a thoroughbred and just as determined!

 

This little guy lives and breathes horses, never missing a race on Trackside. While he loves all things equine, there’s no denying his special passion for thoroughbreds—he might just be a tad biased (don’t tell the harness horses!).

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Monty moves faster than a racehorse on a mission, with the kind of energy and speed that could rival even the fastest sprinter in the barn. He’s got the temperament of a thoroughbred too—quick, sharp, and always ready to jump into action.

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When it comes to managing the barn, Monty’s got the precision of a seasoned pro, and he’s always on the lookout for the next big race. Fast, feisty, and full of charm, Monty’s your go-to guy for making sure everything runs at top speed—just try to keep up!

Meet Zara – the backbone of Ripple Creek. She joined us in early 2024 after starting in harness racing at another stable back in 2018, where she earned her junior driver’s license.

 

Since arriving at Ripple Creek, Zara has quickly become Trent’s right-hand woman, effortlessly taking charge and keeping everything running smoothly. Zara’s recently started picking up some junior race drives for us, and we couldn’t be more proud of her dedication and enthusiasm.

 

When she’s not in the sulky, she’s running the stable like a well-oiled machine – and trust us, the horses love her for it. Zara is absolutely adored by our boys, Foreman Fox and Manager Monty, who can often be found doting on their “Zaza.”

 

Outside of the stable, Zara is an accomplished dressage and showjumping competitor, partnering with her two horses, A Warmblood "Legacy” and an ex-racing TB “Star.” When she’s not in the ring, she’s busy building her dream home on a beautiful piece of land in Loburn or enjoying a good hunt with her partner, Logan.

 

Zara’s a true gem at Ripple Creek – hardworking, dedicated, and loved by all, both two-legged and four-legged!

Brian's introduction to harness racing was at Alexandra Park in the early 1970's.

Down the years he has been involved as an owner, small-time breeder and administrator.

 

Since moving to Canterbury in 2018 and becoming a Ripple Creek owner, Brian has fitted into a role assisting with marketing and administration. He has taken the lead in syndicate management as Ripple Creek has moved into multiple ownership. 

Paul is our casual worker extraordinaire who's on hand as needed when not enjoying life down by the seaside. He's a more than useful float driver and can often be heard giving owners and supporters the benefit of his opinion. 

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Paul's skills include time as an amateur race driver (with very mixed success), a breeder and owner in both horse racing codes. A valued member of the Ripple Creek team.  

Anna has been with Ripple Creek since 2018, and now

assists on a part-time basis. Horses have been part of

Anna's life for longer than she can remember, and she has

been riding since she was four years old. 

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Anna's approach is to get on with whatever needs doing

with the horses, and can be relied on to get the job done without a fuss. Her fast work driving abilities are essential to smooth-running operations and the demands of a growing stable. 

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Anna plans to make a career in the equine industry and is studying horse massage

in her spare time.