Hastings certainly comes alive when the NRM Horse of the Year comes to town and this year was no exception.
Even the inclement weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of the large crowd - much bigger than last year's 74,000 - who attended the week-long show which ended yesterday.
Theweather signs did not look good but in the end it did not make the slightest difference, as the crowds still flocked to the showgrounds to see top-class action.
Kevin Hansen and his team always deliver the goods but they seem to have gone one better this year. One would think Mr Hansen had earned the right to take it easy in the wake of a highly successful show but he is already looking ahead to next year.
"Our aim is to make the show truly international. We don't want to be just the biggest show in Australasia; we want to be the biggest show in the world," he said.
Mr Hansen is a determined man and has proved his ability to make things happen.
He took a bit of a chance in moving the major highlight of the show, the cross country event, to Showgrounds Hawke's Bay, previously it has been off site, but it was an outstanding success.
Big events like this, the Food and Wine Classic and Tremains Art Deco Weekend certainly help in the push to get us recognised for all the right reasons.
We have people in this province who are capable of pulling off world-class events and the public of Hawke's Bay has also shown a willingness to support local attractions.
For those of you desperate for the next big event in the province, don't worry. The Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey is on its way.
