"So much is the same: beautiful animals combined with sporting people that have great affection and deep appreciation for Standardbreds, a shared language and a culture transitioned away from what was an agricultural country. Much is also different..."

With New Zealand’s Dexter Dunn having emerged as one of North America’s leading reinsmen over the past decade, hundreds of horses racing here that have the ‘N’ suffix following their name (denoting that they were bred in New Zealand) and Canada’s James MacDonald soon to travel ‘Down Under’ to represent Canada in the 2025 World Driving Championships, we thought it was perfect timing for TROT contributor Kevin Lakes to share his experiences from a recent trip he and his wife took to New Zealand. Kevin headed to the southern hemisphere this past spring, hoping, in part, to learn a little bit about their ways when it comes to harness racing. What he got to experience was a whole lot more than that.

To read the full story featured in the August 2024 issue of TROT Magazine, click one of the following links: 

• The Land of the Kiwis
• Au pays des Kiwis