Video: Horse of the Year returns after three-year absence
Photo by Kerry Marshall/KAMPIC
Horse of the Year has finally returned to Hastings, starting today, after a three-year absence because of COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle.
The five-day equestrian event, which attracts riders and horses from all over the country and overseas, is now underway at the Tōmoana Showgrounds in Hastings.
Speaking to Hawke’s Bay App yesterday, Event organiser Sophie Blake likened the past few years to a wedding.
“It's actually quite a surreal feeling. I've been saying to some people it's like organizing the biggest wedding you could, but getting left at the altar three times. The hype's there, we're all excited, the money's being spent, and then once again, he didn't turn up. So this time we're going to get across the line and say I do.”
The show, which features showjumping dressage and eventing among other activities, is on until Sunday.
“The thing to get across with our event compared to others is that we have five-year-olds right up to seventy-year-olds. That we are inclusive of all. So as the week progresses, so does the classes. The show jumping obviously starts off with a hiss and a roar of the top riders and the premier.”
“But we do actually have our first ridden and showing, we've got our lead classes, our Pinto, our Gypsy, our mounted games. You've got the bred sections and the invited disciplines around us. Then the core of the event during the week is the show jumping, the beautiful dressage and the show hunter going. Then as the week progresses, then we get into the exciting stuff.”
The event has attracted 1,300 horses and 1,200 riders, with 13 Australians having flown in as well.
“We're really honoured and privileged to have the Australians here. They flew into Auckland, coming down from Auckland today. Big trip for them. But it's amazing to have, I think we've got 14 or 15 Australian horses competing and that's a huge feat. That's just incredible. We've never had for years, maybe back in Kevin Hansen’s days, we haven't had that many Australians since I've been around for 10 years that I remember.”
Since the Horse of the Year was last held three years ago, the Showgrounds have been bought by the Hastings District Council from the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society.
Blake says the “grounds are still the grounds” but organisers always knew that with the council taking over, there was going to be some logistical changes.
“Obviously the grandstand …. it's actually going to be knocked down in April. So we've just had to make things, like little mini grandstands around the grounds. We've increased all the seating around the grounds. The public bar is much bigger. We're just making sure that this year is about inclusiveness.”
“When we get to that Thursday, Friday crunch time when the arenas are usually packed and the public's coming in, there will be seats everywhere. We've increased our seating as much as we can around the premier arena just to make sure people can still come sit down and enjoy the week.”
Blake says while the show is an equestrian event, it does have a wider appeal.
“Obviously we're equestrian, we can't deny that. But we've also got clothing stores, we've got jewellery, we've got hobby horses. Even if you haven't got a horse, you might have a little girl that wants a hobby horse. There actually is something for everyone.”
“And on Friday, 2:00 PM, the gates are open for free, so if you've been thinking about coming to Horse of the Year, just come and have a look. So 2:00 PM on Friday the gates open for free for anyone. The food court will be open. We've got activities going on. So just come and have a look for yourself what we're actually all about, because this year is about bringing everyone in and saying thank you for keeping us in the region.”
She says the show is grateful for the main sponsors – Land Rover Defender.
“Without them even the last few years, I can't thank them enough. Along with Hastings Council, who have actually left a lot of the funds in. As you probably know, we're not for profit. We're not this big wealthy equestrian event.”
“Also, our riders have all helped us financially get through. This one, this shows for everyone else. It's actually just for everyone to celebrate, bring it back in, create those memories again and all just be together. There's no functions as such. Once you're in the gate, you're in the gate, everyone's there, everyone's welcome. It's just all about coming back together.”
Asked what the main events of the show are, Blake said: “Definitely the Saturday cross country, which is the edge of your seat, nail-biting, galloping through the ground. That's just incredible to watch. No other event in New Zealand can offer that atmosphere. That's what the riders come for.”
“ A lot of the riders coming from Australia, actually, I think Shane Rose is off the Paris as well. So these are an Olympian potentials or actual Olympian riders doing that. But you can't beat Sunday, which is our cup day. We've changed this a little bit. Cup day now is your Pony of the Year followed by your Eventer of the Year, Dressage of the Year, and your Show Jumping Horse of the Year. So if you want to see the big stuff, the big kids, the big boys, you come along on Sunday.”
Watch the accompanying video to see the full interview with Sophie Blake.
