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Horses For Courses

Submitted by NZMRM Editors on Mon, 19/10/2009 - 12:00am

WESTBURY THOROUGHBRED HORSE STUD AT KARAKA

Westbury Stud decided to relocate their horse stud from Cambridge to Karaka in 2000.
Russell Warwick of Westbury Stud set out to provide a new horse breeding stud with facilities which were of the highest quality and a destination which would be attractive and desirable for both visitors and horse buyers.

Russell provided a very detailed planning brief to Glasgow Architects for both the farm access and paddock layout and for the building requirements for the stud farm.
The result is impressive.
Existing fences on the farm were removed and the farm was
re-contoured prior to installation of timber rail fencing for the new paddock and a new farm roading layout. All of the farm roads and paddock surrounds were planted with new shelter rows of trees.
The buildings were designed to provide the optimum facilities possible for horse breeding and horse accommodation, based on the wide experience of Russell and his team of horse breeding and handling personnel.
A long winding driveway leads from the Linwood Road entrance gates, past some newly constructed landscaped ponds to the buildings which are sited on the highest part of the farm.

The exterior of the buildings was required to have an established appearance and was designed to incorporate the type of building materials which have been common to rural areas over many years. The buildings generally have stained timber weatherboards and wide eaves with exposed rafters.
 
The very large areas of the roofing presented a fairly dominant feature. The Architect required an economical lightweight material which would also provide a reasonable amount of detail in the surface texture. After reviewing various materials it was decided to use a matt paint finished metal “shake” from Gerard Roofs.


The main group of buildings are designed to surround the four sides of a sheltered central courtyard. This courtyard is landscaped with lawns and gardens and contains a parade ring for showing off yearling horses to the visiting horse breeders.
The two storey administration building lies between the entrance drive and the courtyard, allowing for reception of visitors before showing them to the remainder of the stud facilities.
The remaining three sides of the central courtyard are surrounded by the three wings of the yearling stables which provides accommodation for 52 yearling thoroughbreds, as well as provision for horse showering and grooming and the staff lunchroom and toilets.
Other buildings contain storage for feed, a horse exercising gymnasium and veterinarians facilities. There are separate buildings which house the service barn which is close to the stable for the stud stallions and the associated stallion parade ring.

Client:
Russell Warwick of Westbury Stud

Architect:                 
Glasgow Architects
37 Scanlan Street,Grey Lynn.
Telephone: 09 360 4477

Contractors:
Stables: B. J. Wallace Builders                                 
Porchester Road, Takanini.
Telephone:09 298 3630

Administration:
Pukekohe Builders
70 John Street, Pukekohe.
Telephone:09 238 7758

Fencing contract:
Ivan Bevins Limited
State Highway 2, Mangtawhiri.
Telephone: 272 714 718

Roading and Earthworks:
Excell Corporation Limited
357 East Tamaki Road
East Tamaki.                                         
Telephone: 09 272 8930

Nursey contract:
The Big Tree Company
445 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki.
Telephone: 09 274 4934

Roofing Manufacturer:
Gerard Roofs
Profile: Gerard CoronaShake
Colour: Dark Green
Telephone: 0800 104 868

Roofing Contractor:
John Taylor
Cooper Roofing 
Telephone: 09 478 5588
and
Harvey Roofing Centre 
Telephone: 09 978 9020.