Taking the reins in a world-class event

Taking the reins in a world-class event

• NRM Horse of the Year 2014 aims to set new records
• Sir Mark Todd to be present at the event
• $450,000 worth of prize money including the $200,000 JB Olympic Cup

The NRM New Zealand Horse of the Year Show is renowned as one of the greatest equestrian events in the world, with good reason. Not only does it showcase incredible home-grown talent, and accounts for one of the richest purses in the Southern Hemisphere, it also gives Aussies and others the opportunity to show us what they’re made of in one of the biggest annual sporting events in New Zealand.

However, the Horse of the Year is more than a fiercely contested competition, it’s also a festival that’s a true celebration of the best of New Zealand. Town and country, foodies, clothiers and jewellers all come together in Hastings from the 18th to the 23rd of March. Families from Auckland with young ponies and hundreds of floats catch up with carriage drivers from as far away as Southland and as close as the Wairarapa.

Sir Mark Todd, our most famous equestrian, is a frequent visitor and rates the Kiwi event as one of the best. “Burghley and Badminton might have a global profile, but the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show is a standout for all sorts of reasons. Hands down, the scale, commitment and the competitiveness make this event both a great one to take part in and to watch,” says Todd. “The best horses and riders are here, mixing with the most accomplished course designers – it’s fantastic. I’ll be excited to see the current World Champion, Philippe le Jeune, taking on the Kiwis.”

Organisers believe that the 2014 event will build on the successes of the last couple of decades. Kevin Hansen from the NRM Horse of the Year shows says, “This year we’ve further enhanced the courses and as a result we’re attracting some great competitors from New Zealand, Australia and far flung nations such as Belgium, China, India, the UK, Singapore, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands. Our major sponsors NRM, Land Rover and ANZ are also on board ensuring that visitors and event participants alike can enjoy a world-class event. That said, the reason why we have such a great reputation is thanks to our low-key approach and convivial atmosphere.”

Some of the key statistics for the 2014 event include:
• 2600 horses
• 1800 riders
• 28 arenas
• 400 volunteers
• 8,000 square metres of shopping

“All eyes in the equestrian world will be on the New Zealand event this year – to see how we’re shaping up down here in the build up to the Olympic Games in Rio,” says Hansen. “We welcome visitors from all over the world who share our love of horses and who want to experience one of the greatest sporting shows of the year.”

For more information and for access to participants, exhibitors or sponsors, please go to www.hoy.co.nz

ENDS

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