$200 Million to Redefine Equestrian Sports

Plan for the future modern equestrian city.

An ambitious $200 million equestrian project is set to open in late 2027 in the picturesque locale of Lake Hood, Canterbury, New Zealand. Named the Southern Parallel Equine Centre (SPEC), this state-of-the-art breeding and high-performance training facility aims to become an international beacon for equestrian sports, including elite polo.

After years of meticulous planning and collaboration with New Zealand's national authorities and the Ashburton District Council, the first phase of this megaproject is confirmed to begin operations on schedule. The complex will boast cutting-edge infrastructure: a covered sales pavilion, a veterinary clinic with the latest technology, stables with capacity for 650 horses, and specialized training and horse-treading tracks for polo. Furthermore, it will feature arenas for show jumping, dressage, eventing, and lush pastures set within New Zealand’s signature pristine natural environment.

Technology and animal welfare are central to the design. The entire club will be equipped with the most advanced systems and safety protocols, all designed for the optimal care of the horse.

Polo will have a prominent place, with internationally regulation-sized fields and a high-performance sports center dedicated to player preparation. While the leadership for this discipline has yet to be announced, the club confirmed it is in active discussions with the New Zealand Polo Federation.

Beyond sport, SPEC will host the Southern Parallel Life Skills Academy. This academy is dedicated to veterans with physical disabilities, service personnel, para-athletes, and other individuals. It will include indoor and outdoor artificial turf, a gym, therapy rooms, a mental health and wellness clinic, and a private spa.

Catherine Stuart, CEO of SPEC, confirmed that work is underway with the Ashburton District Council on building permits, with construction slated to begin in the second quarter of 2026. The timeline was adjusted from the initial plan—which envisioned a late-2024 start—due to a comprehensive site redesign and the formalization of a joint venture agreement. This redesign cleverly utilizes the land's natural gully as a demarcation to separate the breeding operation from the service center.

The consortium behind the project—comprising Nonsuch House Ltd, the US-based Westbury Group, BDO Christchurch, architects Chilton + Mayne, and builder Calder Stewart Construction—states the goal is to be ready to host major equestrian events by 2028. The focus remains clear: to offer the world’s finest training, sales, and competition facilities, complete with world-standard polo fields and arenas.