Neilson (28) has settled into the event and marketing manager's seat at the Wingatui office over the past six weeks, although she occasionally has to dust herself down when she steps into the office in the mornings.
''It's really exciting, because I'm riding trackwork in the mornings, then I pop over here - it's really cool,'' Neilson said.
The Mosgiel-bred Neilson was educated at Columba College and worked in sales and merchandising before 12 months with the Dunedin City Council in 2006-07, in the events and marketing department.
''I left that role to start track riding at Caulfield in Melbourne, where I met Alex,'' Neilson said.
Alex is Neilson's fiance, Alex Freeman, who is mixing farrier work with public training.
Freeman prepared Ustibecasual to win at Omakau in January, a fitting venue, as Freeman had based himself at the track originally before moving to a property near the old Dunstan racecourse.
The couple and their two boys, Harry (3) and Charley (2), moved to Wingatui in March and have 11 horses based at the stables.
''We've got a couple of breakers - a couple of really nice colts - and six in race work,'' she said.
''And there's my show pony and my show jumpers, so it's really all go at the moment.''
Neilson plans to build on the good groundwork laid by her predecessor Megan Brick, with two immediate race dates in focus.
''I'd like to get Melbourne Cup really on the map and South Otago Cup day at the end of the month - we're getting ready for that,'' she said.
''It's just a case of trying to broaden everyone's minds and get the younger generation here.''
The couple plan to try some of their racehorses over showjumping fences this summer with a view to jumps racing this season.
One of those will be the appropriately-named Big Meadsy, who stands at more than 17 hands high.
''He is built like a bus,'' she said.
''He'll be showjumping and we're planning on jumps racing with him next winter - it teaches them a bit of balance and gives them something else to think about.''
Both Freeman and Neilson ride trackwork which has already given their oldest son Harry an early plan for his future.
''Now he's riding them and he's got really good balance for a 3-year-old,''
''For a while there, I thought he was going to be a petrolhead but every day he's asking 'where's my little pony?'''.
