BRUCE LLOYD
Head Trainer and Stud Master

Bruce has had a lifetime involvement with horses, starting from his Pony Club days at Pointways Pony Club in Pakuranga. He was president of the local Pony Club when daughter Meg was riding, is a tutor at the Kumeu Kids Carts and Pony Trust and was on the committee of the Kumeu Trotting Club and North Harbour Trotting Club.

He began breaking in, training, racing and driving Standardbreds over 40 years ago, and has been joined by daughter Meaghan in the operation. Together, they have introduced Miniature Horses to the family business as they both been long time fans of the breed.

Bruce has tended to favour Trotters rather than Pacers over the years, although having won races at both gaits, because he feels that the Trotters are more challenging - a challenge he has met time and time again with great success. He has always hand made shoes for his horses, and until recently, has always shod them himself. Now this work is carried out by farrier Michael Nicholas under his supervision. Bruce maintains that correct shoeing is the key to Trotters keeping their gait in race situations, a belief that has been consistently proven by the racehorses in his care.

To supplement income from the racing team, Bruce, and wife Margaret, developed a very successful Harness and Tack manufacturing business and were instrumental in producing the first coloured synthetic harness in NZ many years ago. Now retired from the commercial aspect of that business, they still potter around in the factory and have developed a line of synthetic Miniature Horse Harness (available by special request only - see our services page)

Bruce is currently the President of the Metropolitan Miniature Horse Club, and is committed to raising the profile of the breed, as well as continuing Metros tradition of being the most foward thinking, progressive club in New Zealand.

MEAGHAN LLOYD
Assistant Trainer

It was natural that Meg became involved in the Alpha Lodge operation when we remember that the first word she uttered was "Horse". She hasnt been without an equine friend since the age of 4, when she got her first pony, a small surly shetland experienced in the art of dislodging his little rider. At 9, she joined the Silverdale Pony Club and competed very successfully well into her teens on the Show Jumping circuit as well as gaining NZPCA certificates D, C, C+ and B. She also represented North Harbour and Westlake Girls High School as a member of various Show Jumping, Eventing and Games teams in several teams events.

After high school, Meg sadly gave up riding for good and went to art school - studying to become a classically trained 2D Animator. Post graduation, she spent a few years where she worked for companies in both the Art and Advertising fields, but has returned to Alpha Lodge to become involved with the family business once more, as well as continuing to develop her own freelance Graphic Design business.

A very motivated member of the Alpha Lodge team, Meg is always open to new ideas and training methods. It is her passion for learning new things, and the willingness to do so, that keeps the work we do fresh and innovative.

Meaghan is the Secretary of the Metropolitan Miniature Horse Club, is the editor of the clubs magazine, the webmaster, and is dedicated to promoting geldings and performance activities. She is also the editor of "Little Bits and Pieces", the magazine for the Miniature Horse Harness Club of NZ.

Margaret, a post Primary School teacher of 14 years, retired in 1979 to assume the administration and financial aspects of Alpha Lodge. A talented seamstress, Margaret designs and sews the Alpha Lodge harness and tack, as well as producing show attire and horse turn-out. Margarets ability for producing the finance when required is legendary, and we would be under pressure to continue our expansion if it was not for her budgetary skills and expertise in foreseeing economic opportunities. Thanks to Margaret, Alpha Lodge is in a very sound financial state and can continue to grow and change with the times.

Margaret also single-handedly runs Lloyds Catering, specialising in large corporate functions and weddings. Among her clients are many Masonic Lodges, sports groups, corporates, the Northern Force and New Zealand Silver Ferns netball teams as well as the function catering for Massey University (Albany campus).

IAN MURRAY
Stable Foreman

Ian has been at Alpha Lodge for over 12 years and is an integral part of the operation. Not only does Ian oversee the maintenance of the property and stables, but also has a very strong hand in the feeding and nutritional program. A very loyal and dependable member of the team, Ian trains and works horses in the absence of the trainers, and has the knowledge to maintain the horses in the utmost condition and state of fitness. Ian breeds and trains one or two standardbreds at a time and each time his horses get better and better. As Ian is a man with a great love of horses in general, we know that no horse would be without a kind word or a gentle pat from this quiet horseman, and as such, we can confidently leave him in charge. Alpha Lodge would not run as smoothly without him, and we feel extremely lucky to have him on board.

LAURA MCGONIGAL
Youth Show Handler

Laura assists with the preparation and handling of the Miniature Horse show team at all the shows, and is proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the show ring due to her natural affinity with horses. She handles any horse given to her with utmost care and professionalism, never loses her cool, and always has a smile on her face. Her dedication to improving her skills is impressive - when there are no shows on she is at the property practising, helping with the training of youngstock and performance horses, and having driving lessons. In 2009 she was selected to represent New Zealand in the youth team competing at the MHAA National Show in Australia, and in 2010 she was again selected for the team. She has won many Regional and National titles, as well as High Point awards. We have thoroughly enjoyed watching her progress and grow in confidence, and hope that she is with is for many years to come.

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