The cream of New Zealand's equestrian talent is descending on Tauranga as the city prepares to host a World Cup showjumping final for the first time.
The Bayleys New Zealand World Cup final, being staged at Mills Reef Winery tomorrow and Tauranga Racecourse over the following three days, will bring more
than 400 riders to the Western Bay.
This week's event comes after Tauranga won a three-year bid to host a World Cup qualifying stage, and Sunday's final will be the last chance showjumpers have to earn the right to represent New Zealand in Leipzig, Germany, in April.
Starring will be Olympian showjumper Katie McVean, riding her World Equestrian Games horse Delphi, and top Bay riders Phillip Steiner and Ike Unsworth.
Event organisers have also recruited Sydney-based international course designer John Vallance to draw up challenging circuits, with jumps reaching up to 1.6m in height.
Event organiser and Pyes Pa showjumper Sally Steiner said she had long-wanted to host an event at Mills Reef, where the Mills Reef Classic 1.40m and the first round of the World Cup Table C will be staged.
"We had driven by quite a few times and I thought it would be great place to do it," she said.
"We want to run a good show so the public can come along and see what we do.
"It'll be a great chance for them to see something different."
Mr Vallance said the event was a "fantastic opportunity" for Tauranga.
"It will be great entertainment to have New Zealand's best horses here, and for me, it's exciting to come here and have a new canvas to work with," he said. "If we get a big audience along to watch the riders, it will only make it more special."
Mrs Steiner hoped to see the event carry on as an annual fixture after Tauranga finished its three years of hosting the finals.
The event opens at Mills Reef tomorrow at 4pm and runs at the racecourse from 10am on Friday, 9am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday, with the finals expected to kick off at noon on Sunday.
