Behind the reins : the story of the DB clydesdales and a Kiwi family / Nick van der Sande.

Foreword -- Introduction -- Jill's story -- Nick's beginnings -- A sneak preview -- Qualities of a team manager -- Lambert Ormsby -- Race meetings. Ellerslie debut -- An almost runaway -- The gallop (Ellerslie) -- A near whoopsy -- The eight-horse hitch -- Horse stories. Armagh -- Beth's nighmare at Addington -- The loss of a gem -- Mark -- a horse in a thousand -- Turn again Mark, Lord of all horses -- Dog stories. Dalmations -- Trekking. Open gate response -- Clydesdales aboard the TSS Earnslaw -- Garston in the snow -- By train to Middlemarch -- Clydesdales, maraes and Maoridom -- Northland trek, 1992, with an unexpected destination -- Cape Reinga -- Ferry boats and flying sparks -- a learning lesson for us all -- Arc welding of horseshoes -- where there's a will, there's a way -- Abel Tasman Memorial and visit by Dutch Queen Beatrix -- Unseen, but such a beautiful view -- Cold hands, warm hearts -- A glacial prank -- Broken down truck -- The DB drafters -- Harness care -- The trials and tribulations of filming -- Tackling Takaka Hill -- Tribute to Dave Christensen -- World ploughing championships. Tribute to Les Ham -- Horses' escape -- The wind beneath my wings -- Rod Kraal and the Christchurch delivery team -- The awesome power of horses' arses -- Tribute to Ian Quigley -- Why did it end? -- Pirongia Clydesdales. Weddings -- Horse of the Year Show -- Equidays -- Crooked earth -- Funerals -- Events and public functions -- Farmers Trading Company -- Millennium mail run to Raglan -- Grand pageant of Waipu -- A fortunate life.

"Within the leaves of this pictorial and scenic book lies the history of a Kiwi icon and a New Zealand family who lived that story. Here is an anthology of some of the memories and adventures of a horseman of passion and romantic vision who lived his dream and took his family along for the ride. Behind the Reins is the story of the van der Sande family and the DB Draught Clydesdales"--Back cover.