Greg Smith

I am a dressage rider, based in Taupaki in North West Auckland.

I began my riding career at the local pony club in Whangaparaoa, and spent my early years Eventing.

In 2002, I groomed for Heelan Tompkins at Badminton Horse Trials and the World Equestrian Games, after which I moved to Ireland to work for Sasha Harrison for the next five years.

While at the Athens Olympics in 2004 I met Carl Hester, and a few years later began working for him.  After eight years in the UK I decided to come home and start GJS Equestrian.

In 2011, I began work on the Hobbit as a horse wrangler and riding double and have since worked on the Shannara Chronicles, Spartacus, Kiwi, Mulan and The Letter for the King.  I have also been the Horse Master on three seasons of Mystic, and an episode of My Life is Murder.

During my time working on the movies I also competed JL Champs Elysee and Avante Garde through to Level 7, winning the Inter 1 Title at Nationals in 2015, as well as the Prix St George Invitational at Equidays.

I now operate under Greg Smith Dressage and my team of horses consists of River Park Wyoming, a six year old by Worldly, who is competing at Advanced Medium.  Swarovski Gold, a four year old by Swarovski, who is starting in the four year old classes, and River Park Sienna, a four year old by Swarovski, who is just starting winter training ready to come out next season.

My favourite products are Cortaflex HA, BLS Super Strength, Magnitude, Applelyte, Propel and Super So Kalm Powder and Paste.  My Dog Buddy is also benefitting greatly from the Cortaflex HA , he is getting on in years and I have found the Cortaflex HA has really helped his joints.