The team of Laura Newman-Dempster and Westhay Chanti came to a very tragic and sudden end at the end of April when Laura’s talented mare was put down because of a savage internal disease.

Chanti, 16.1 hh out of a talented homebred polocrosse mare and sired by a son of Aberlou – Spectator - was a dream horse for Laura. She was broken and trained by her young rider and together they grew into an outstanding partnership.

The Laura & Chanti partnership began six years ago when Laura was12yrs old and Chanti was 4yrs old. Laura’s home bred mare was her first hack after her talented little pony Westhay Nala was sold to family friends.

Chanti competed at an International level in the sport of Polocrosse. At the Horse of The Year in 2008 Laura was a member of the N.Z. under 21 Polocrosse team that played their way to victory against a strong under 21 side from New South Wales. Laura and Chanti had been a top Polocrosse partnership for three seasons and this athletic, talented horse had given Laura the opportunity to be selected in the Open World Cup squad in 2007 and this year the Chanti, Laura partnership has lead to Laura being selected in the N.Z. Open mixed team to travel to Australia in July 2008. they also played at the Domhealth Sponsors Tournament in Taupo earlier this year.

One day after polocrosse when Laura entered a fun barrel racing competition at the Te Mata polocrosse carnival, this amazing horse actually beat barrel racing horses to win the winner takes all prize money. What makes it even more special was the fact that Chanti had never barrel raced before.

Chanti’s last game of Polocrosse was at the Roke and Rockwood Club Championships in April in the King Country.

Not only was Chanti a top polocrosse horse but she was also well known on the eventing circuit. In her first year of eventing on Westhay Chanti Laura had gained enough championship points to compete at the One Star Championship Novice competition at the Bell Tea 3 day in Taupo with double clear in both cross country and show jumping.

In her second year of eventing Laura’s placing had included a 1st placing, along with placing at most novice events entered on the eventing circuit.

When Laura was 17yrs old and Chanti now 9yrs the partnership moved on to Intermediate level. Chanti was placed at Puhinui and Riverdale and won the Open Intermediate Championship at Kihikihi in April 2008 with a double clear in the cross country once again.

Unknown to Laura, Chanti was suffering from a fatal disease and three weeks after her greatest triumph she was dead with her liver, uterus and bowel being completely destroyed by a virulent lymphatic growth.

The Takanini and Northland vet clubs are to be thanked for their care and understanding in putting to rest this remarkable horse.

Written by Bronwyn Dempster and Carey Wenn