Horse of the year: Cross Country event steals public's hearts

Franscesca Silver on Case in Point during yesterday's Cross- Country event at Horse of the Year, Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings. Photo/Duncan Brown

There were smiling faces as far as the eye could see at Horse of the Year yesterday, as overnight rain cleared in time for final eventing and spectators soaked up the atmosphere.

Dressage and showjumping competitions continued in the central rings, surrounded by trade stalls, where people snapped up last minute supplies - but the real buzz was still Saturday's Cross Country Classic.

For the first time ever it moved from an off site venue to Hawke's Bay Showgrounds. All other events were halted as a record field of competitors wound their way around the venue, through a marquee and over water jumps.

Janet Parsons from Havelock North was able to get up close to the action as a judge on one of the Cross Country fences, while daughter Kirsty joined crowds of people who lined the course.

"It was really cool because they stopped the whole show, that was quite a brave thing to do, they took a gamble and it paid off," Kirsty said.

Hawke's Bay Today spoke to a cross section of people on site - from off duty riders and groomers to judges, spectators, photographers and stall holders, all of whom agreed it had been a spectacular six days.

Horse groomer Bree Wilson travelled from Auckland to help her riding coach, and said each event was more enjoyable.

"There's been lots of improvements, the stabling is better - one thing I really enjoyed was the Cross Country, that was fantastic, everybody loved the new course."

Paula Leckie came from Tauranga to see some of her friends compete.

"It's the first time I have been since it moved to Hastings, the last time would have been in Auckland 13 years ago. The big screens are great, you can be up in the stands and you can see the dressage or the showjumping, which is wonderful."

While work as a vet and physio drew her to the Showgrounds every year, the excitement kept Sarah Messingham and sons Harry, 8, and Josh, 5, coming back for more. Highlights included the Cross Country and Hawke's Bay Today's Friday Night Equestrian Extravaganza. "We have been in New Zealand for 7 years and we have been to every single one," she said.

Competitor Sola Laurence-Bade and horse enthusiast Jo Burke made their way from North of Auckland to be a part of the event.

Last year was their first experience at the Hastings show, but they only stayeda day - this time they were back for three.

"It's such a cool atmosphere, the Cross Country was great, to see horses going through the tent was amazing, it's just such a high calibre event," Ms Burke said.

Show Hunter judge Sally Dyer from Cambridge has been attending Horse of the Year since it was based in Levin, and said it just kept getting bigger and better. "It's been good, it's been successful, heaps of people, heaps of entries, the show is so varied. It's great for the general public to be able to see the eventing."

Stallholders too had seen some positive growth for 2014, as well as a greater variation in customers. "It seems to be that we are seeing more levels of horsy people, not just the riders, but those who are simply keen on horses," Rachel McKinnon of Auckland based equine clothing store Nicholson Imports said.

New Zealand Natural from Norsewood had a much larger space this year and had benefited from a bout of cool weather. "This is our second year and we are doing better, although we have doubled our site so you would expect that," owner Phil Grant said. '