Seven years later – a pleasing return to grand prix for Tyler McKee

When Tyler McKee says he’s “pretty happy’’ with his second placing in a grand prix national title event, you have to remember this is a Southlander talking.

Guarding against overstatement as a southerner should, McKee had real reason for satisfaction with his result at last weekend’s result at the National Jumping and Show Hunter championships in Christchurch.

For one thing, he did it riding Corrida, nurtured at McKee Equestrian, which he and wife Rebecca run at the family farm at Wendonside.

It’s the first time in seven years McKee has had the combination of the right horse and circumstances to be able to compete for the title.

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And the right circumstances have a lot to do with the fact that meeting the demands of modern farming, and a busy family life, are a full-on matter for the McKees.

Not that they have ever ceased to be a family with fine horse-loving credentials.The couple are both highly successful competitors with extensive experience producing top level horses in various disciplines, while young James is doing well with his show pony.

It’s not a situation where goals can be neatly compartmentalised and pursued in isolation. Each week is crowded with a host of daily living arrangements. Common enough in farming families, but the fact remains – “Life’s a bit of a circus in our place,’’ Tyler says.

The ability to get to nationals, and claim second place, reinforced his philosophy.

“When you work hard the results come,’’ he says.

“Sometimes it just takes a while.’’

If the family circus plays out just right, he’d like another good season with Corrida, some North Island adventures, and maybe having a crack at Horse of the Year.