NZ Equine Academy
You provide the passion - We provide the pathway
Fees-free study that sets students up to succeed.
The NZ Equine Academy was established in 2021 and in partnership with Skill New Zealand, delivers a clear and well-regarded pathway for those wanting to work in the thoroughbred industry.
Led by experienced industry professional Amie Best, the NZ Equine Academy offers NZQA-endorsed Level 2 and 3 courses that are designed to teach students essential skills and knowledge so they have the confidence to launch a successful and rewarding career with horses.
A mixture of classroom and practical learning, combined with field trips and guest speakers, mean the NZ Equine Academy is the obvious choice for those wanting to build a career with thoroughbreds.
Group One winning jockey Leith Innes heads the NZ Equine Apprentice Academy, powered by Entain. For those with jockey aspirations, this offers a holistic approach and supportive environment while working towards a successful career in the New Zealand riding ranks.
The L2 course operates out of the Byerley Park campus in Kingseat, while the L3 course is offered at the Cambridge campus.
PROGRAMMES ON OFFER
NZ Certificate in Equine Skills L2
The NZ Certificate in Equine Skills L2 is a 13-week course with intakes in February and September each year.
The only prerequisites are that students are over 16yo and are motivated to learn, no horse experience is required.
The course introduces students to all the employment opportunities in the thoroughbred industry as well as giving them the skills and confidence to enter the workforce.
From racing stables to stud farms and everything in between - the course provides a launch pad for each student to begin their career with horses.
The course is delivered via six unit standards covering:
skills for employment
preparing racehorses for exercise and providing aftercare
routine, minor and temporary maintenance of equine facilities
external anatomy and signs of good and ill health
preparing horses for travel and loading/unloading
providing routine care for horses
NZ Certificate in Equine Skills L3
The NZ Certificate in Equine Skills L3 is a 19-week course with a July intake each year.
The course is for those focused on a career in the racing industry and is split into the strapper and trackwork rider strands.
Students must be over 16yo and have either completed the L2 course or be assessed as being up to that standard.
Learning is a mixture of classroom and practical time as well as field trips and guest speakers. Ideally students are employed while completing the L3 course and tutors visit students in the workplace as part of assessments.
Classroom time is structured to ensure students can work and study simultaneously.
The course expands on the students' knowledge and skillset so they become more independent in the workplace and can confidently attend to horses on raceday.
The strapper strand comprises on 10 unit standards and covers:
communication in the workplace
providing routine care for horses in the workplace
knowledge of feed and nutrition
conformation, action and lameness
a horse's body systems and health
healthcare, hazards and emergency responses
lunging
traveling horses
strapping on race day
The trackwork rider stand also includes:
trackwork riding skills
riding in barrier practice and jumpouts
This course is offered out of the Cambridge campus, though blended learning is available on a case-by-case basis.
Apprentice Jockey Academy, powered by Entain
The Apprentice Jockey Academy, powered by Entain, is where young talent can be nurtured so riders become valued members of the New Zealand riding ranks.
This a Level 4 course.
Led by Leith Innes, the academy teaches attention to detail and takes a holistic approach that focuses not only riding but also nutrition, fitness, sports psychology and working with the media.
Jockeys are given every opportunity to be at the top of their game on raceday.
The proof is at the winning post.
The apprentice academy is open to domestic and international jockeys.
Byerley Park offer rental accommodation at the Kingseat campus for L2 students. This is shared accommodation where students have their own room but shared bathroom/kitchen/lounge. There is also the option to bring your own horse with the grazing fee covering agistment, feed and hay.
Trackwork riding lessons
The NZ Equine Academy offer trackwork riding lessons out of the Waikato campus located at the Cambridge Jockey Club.
Using the academy horses, riders can perfect their position and hone their skills under the tutelage of Elen Nicholas and Aleisha Legg.
Riders get to develop their abilities using the round yard, jumps paddock and racetrack.
These lessons are ideal for anyone employed in the racing industry wanting to work towards their slow track license, develop strength or improve their abilities.
Student Stable - powered by Entain
In 2025 the New Zealand Equine Academy and Logan Racing joined forces to establish the Student Stable, powered by Entain.
This venture gives students of the Equine Academy horses in training to connect with and learn from that they will follow long past their time studying.
The horses will be trained at Byerley Park by the internationally successful Donna Logan and will race in the NZ Equine Academy silks. A portion of any stakes won will be reinvested into the Academy to benefit current and future students.
The partnership between the NZ Equine Academy and Donna Logan's stable will give students the opportunity to explore pedigrees, conformation, stable routine, exercise regimes, racing programmes, and marketing campaigns - in real time with real horses.
You can't beat the feeling of watching a horse on raceday you know beyond the pages of a racebook...
There are limited lease ownership opportunities in these horses, get in touch if you are interested to learn more.
OUR PEOPLE
Amie Best
Programme Leader
Amie has led the NZ Equine Academy since August 2024, teaching the L2 course and overseeing the L3 programme.
With international experience on stud farms and racing stables, as well as a strong equestrian and instructing background, Amie is passionate about providing students with skills and knowledge up to industry standards.
She is driven by the wish to produce quality staff for the industry while providing students the opportunity to explore rewarding employment options with good career progression.
Leith Innes
Former top jockey Leith Innes heads the Apprentice Jockey Academy.
His vast experience and industry contacts are instrumental in setting up young riders to succeed.
Leith also works with the L2 and L3 students around concepts such as jockey career paths, tv presenting and riding position.
Elen Nicholas
Elen Nicholas is one of the two tutors of the L3 programme in Cambridge.
Born in Wales, Elen arrived in New Zealand in 2018 and her success as an apprentice jockey and experience working in top racing yards means she is the perfect person to inspire young people working in the industry.
Aleisha Legg
Aleisha Legg is one of the two tutors of the L3 programme in Cambridge.
Aleisha was introduced to the thoroughbred industry via stud work but found her true calling working in racing.
Aleisha's experience both locally and travelling with horses across the Tasman gives her a depth of knowledge invaluable for teaching the next generation of strappers and trackwork riders.
REGISTER TODAY
Contact:
Level 2 & 3 - Amie Best
E: Amie@skillnz.ac.nz or P: 021 504 970
Apprentice Jockey Academy - Leith Innes
E: leith8@gmail.com or P: 021 798 881