Kevin Hickman village has been called an ‘equestrian oasis’ and last Wednesday it surely was, as horses racing at the next door Riccarton Park entertained punters and onlookers.

The recently completed apartments, named the Silent Achiever block, provided some wonderful balcony viewing spots for both recent resident arrivals, and some of the Kevin Hickman village sales, management and activities team members.

Village Manager Liz Hampton donned sunnies and a protective hat and was joined by Sales Assistant Sharon Maich and Activities & Lifestyle Coordinator Tracey Herron as part of the spring racing season. They took advantage of the view from the third level of the apartments.

Horse race days will continue to be a highlight for those in the village far into the future, but today’s spring event provided the perfect backdrop to those new move-ins. There are now around 20 residents living in the apartment block that is close to the chute that leads into the main racetrack.

Liz said a number of residents had taken full advantage of the Wednesday race day to pay general admission to the track. There were a good number of residents who call themselves real horse aficionados, with more of those interested in the horses still to move in.

It didn’t really matter too much as to whether residents were trackside, given that the temperature gauge close to 24 degrees celsius. Townhouse residents were sitting outside their homes to chat to friends and enjoy the grand Canterbury day.

Eventually the village will have a couple of viewing platforms for those wanting to enjoy race days. There will be a trackside grassy viewing bank at the end of the yet to be built apartments closest to the main track. Also, there will be a viewing deck, built off the main village centre.

The horse Silent Achiever, for whom the first completed apartment block is named, was bred by Ryman founder Kevin Hickman at his Valachi Downs stud near Matamata.