Eventing's Darby latest inductee at CHB
Eventing's Mary Darby will be inducted into the Central Design & Print Sports Hall of Fame at the Central Hawke's Bay Sports Awards function on November 6.
Darby's induction will be one of the highlights at the annual function which recognise the outstanding achievements of Central Hawke’s Bay athletes, coaches and officials. The awards also recognize innovation, excellence and contribution to sport and active recreation in Central Hawke’s Bay from grassroots through to elite level.
Darby has not only performed as an athlete at the highest level but has also continued on to contribute to the sport of eventing for many years both nationally and at a local level. She will join the wall alongside fellow Sports Hall of Fame Inductees: Rhonda Hira (2012), Lloyd Lawrence (2013), Norm Hewitt (2014), Tiny White (2015), Tony Polhill (2016), Emma Jensen (2017) Robbie Stuart (2018) and Westley Gough (2019).
Darby was a member of the first New Zealand eventing team to go overseas, to the Eventing World Championships in Kentucky, USA, in 1978. This team, funded themselves in an effort to prove to the NZHS that they were in fact up to international standard. This was followed by her selection to contest the 1982 Eventing World Championships in Luhmuhlen, Germany and two years later selection into New Zealand’s first Olympic Eventing Team, to compete in Los Angeles in 1984 alongside Andrew Nicholson, Andrew Bennie and Mark Todd. The NZ team finished sixth, which was considered a successful Olympic debut.
Returning home after Los Angeles, Darby, provided a benchmark for aspiring internationals here. She became a prodigious winner of national titles, a National Eventing selector and eventually Chair of Selectors. Her experience made her the ideal person to assume the mantle of course designer for C&SHB Eventing’s cross-country course at Arran Station, which has grown to become one of the country’s most popular courses, providing educational opportunities for horses and riders at all levels.
Darby was also a long serving member of Central & Southern HB Eventing over the years which included a period as it’s Chair. Her retirement several years ago from the local committee and competitive Horse Trials generally has allowed Darby the time to pursue another interest – training racehorses. Her life-long passion for horses and constant quest for excellence remain undiminished and she shows no sign of slowing down.
Novice one-day national championship titles were won by Darby in 1980 on Mountbatten, 1985 on Blue Steel and 1988 on Richochet. Intermediate one-day championship national titles were won by Darby in 1989 on Richochet and in 1985 on Bush Singlet in the advanced one-day championship.
Novice three-day event national titles were won by Darby in 1988 on His Nibs, 1993 on Out of the Blue and 1995 on Three Kings. Intermediate Three-day Event national titles were won by Darby in 1989 on Richochet and 1990 on Home Run.
The Gala Evening is to be held on at the AW Parsons Indoor Stadium. Tickets are great value at just $50 each and includes the presentations, entertainment, three course buffet meal and non-alcoholic beverages. These can be booked and purchased online at www.sporthbchb.co.nz or from the AW Parsons Indoor Pool Reception up until Friday, October 30. There will be no late sales, so to avoid disappointment ensure you get in early to purchase as tickets are limited.
