Welcome To
40 Degrees South
EQUINE PRESERVATION PARK
A world first created in rural New Zealand.
We are establishing a sanctuary to preserve and protect rare and endangered horse breeds from around the globe.
Our Why?
Why save the rare and endangered horse breeds?
· We never know when these ancient genes and this style of horse will be needed in the future.
· For their genetic diversity.
· If we only had a few horse breeds left in the world, wouldn’t the idea of horses be deromanticized? Variety in breeds adds to the appeal of, not just horses, but any species.
· They served man-kind in every way possible. They deserve to be honored.
· Historic artefacts are treasured because they have stories, experiences and history. These endangered breeds are much the same. They carry stories, experience, ancestral history and they deserve to be preserved. They are an iconic and historic treasure
· No animal/breed should go extinct because of mankind and advances in technology. Sadly, some have. We must do what we can to protect those that we can.
· We have been so privileged to cherish and enjoy such variety in horse breeds. Future generations should be allowed to experience the same.
We are a team of professional horse-people who are passionate to ensure the survival of rare and endangered horse breeds around the globe. The humble horse has given mankind so much, we want to pay it back.
Our vision is to create a sanctuary as close to the vast natural landscapes that many horses would have once roamed whilst-also creating a breeding programme, in conjunction with other facilities and programmes worldwide, that ensures the survival of the DNA of endangered breeds.
WHY WE STARTED
With urgency, we started to build the concept of a preserve following the Equine Virus outbreak in Thailand, 2020. Sadly, hundreds of horses lost their lives as people scrambled to contain the virus.
If we have learned anything from the recent global events, it’s how quickly a virus can take hold. We believe New Zealand’s South Island is the ideal location to create a sanctuary due it's remote isolation and vast untouched landscapes.
ABOUT THE HORSES
Here’s the real stars of the show and the reason we do what we do. We currently have three Kiger Mustangs and looking to import other breeds for the protection programme.
The Mustang carries the romance of the Wild West. From their Spanish ancestry, these exceptional wild horses have found their rightful place both in our hearts and as an integral element of the West's living History.
Read more about the herd here.
OUR ENDORSERS
Craig Johnson
Reining, Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Versatility Ranch Horse, Cowboy Dressage, and All Around Horsemanship
Craig Johnson has earned his spot among the elite group of horsemen, who can claim the title of $1 Million Dollar Rider. Few individuals have trained, shown, earned and competed and maintained a career at such a high level in the professional horse industry. Some of Craig’s accomplishments include:
NRHA Million Dollar Rider
NRHA Derby Champion
2-Time NRHA Reining Futurity Champion
NRHA Super Stakes Champion
17-Time World Champion in Reining, Ranch Riding, and Working Cow Horse
Over 40 NRHA Reining Futurity Finalists
Team USA Gold Medal, FEI Reining Competitions
4-Time Individual Silver Medalist in USEF Reining Competitions
“I first met Emily Weibel at a clinic I was teaching on the South Island of New Zealand. It was apparent that she had natural skills with a rare ability to connect with horses in a short period of time. I've enjoyed occasionally working with her over the few years I've known her. She has a dedication to improvement that is inspiring. I've seen her develop that natural talent with horses by advancing her training program to include many disciplines while constantly challenging herself to learn and stay creative. Emily is a true horsewoman that is hard to find.” - Craig Johnson
“Karen Weibel is an inspired Horsewomen dedicated to improving the well-being of all horses. Her forward thinking creativity allows her the vision of what could be. Whether it's in her horse breeding program and the way she handles them. Her position of caring shows through in the animals as well as the people she connects with. Karen is also an interesting event planner and coordinator of events from creating exciting competitions to hair raising tours of the beautiful country she loves. Karen is a journey into the unknown, yet knowing that whatever she does it will be a remembered and rewarding adventure.” - Craig Johnson
Cole Cameron
Cole Cameron, Born in Arizona, raised in Texas and son to world champion and Hall of Fame cowboy Craig Cameron. Cole has spent his life on family ranches in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and was always a top student, as well as a highly gifted athlete. Cole was a standout 3-sport athlete in High school, earning all-district honors in football, winning a state championship and earning a scholarship to play college football at Texas A&M University. Upon graduating with his bachelors in Agriculture at Texas A&M, Cole decided to pursue Graduate school earning a rodeo scholarship and a spot on the Texas A & M rodeo team. Cole competed two years for the Texas A&M Rodeo team and competed twice at the College National Finals in Casper, Wyoming.
After finishing his college rodeo career, Cole continued to follow his rodeo dream on the pro circuit. In 2011, he won the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association in Steer Wrestling. Cole, who is now a highly competitive team roper, lives and works at the family Double Horn Ranch, near Stephenville, Texas, with his parents Craig and Dalene.
Cole has worked with some of the top horse trainers over the years and has competed in multiple disciplines including, cutting, team roping, and reined cow horse, and will compete in this year’s RTTH Wild Card.
Cole teaches alongside his Dad at many Horse Expos and Clinics and this past year traveled to five countries and sixteen States conducting horsemanship clinics on his own. 2021 proves to be even busier for Cole as he again travels Nationally and Internationally teaching the Ride Smart method that has been passed down the Cameron family from father to son. Cole is following in his father’s footsteps, helping people worldwide to develop great horses and horsemanship, while keeping the western and cowboy way of life alive and well.
