Horse of the Year: Popular inductee adds gloss to family history

Maurice Beatson comes from a blue-blood line of riders, and last night he was honoured for the part he has played in the history of New Zealand's equestrian world as one of the latest inductees to the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show Hall of Fame.
The Dannevirke farmer, who last year rode for New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, was a popular inductee before a sell-out crowd of nearly 300 people at the gala event.
He was presented with his framed certificate by Equestrian Sports New Zealand president Jennifer Millar and Hastings District Council Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers.
Beatson has won the Olympic Cup as NZ Showjumper of the Year four times, finished second six times, won four Nationwide Trophies as the showjumping rider with the most points at the show and four Norwood Gold Cups, among other awards. He's ridden for New Zealand at the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and World Cup finals.
Beatson's great-grandfather was a successful horseman in the days when horses were a working resource and only occasionally used for recreation. His father George was a top amateur jockey and showjumper, and it's a love that was passed on to Beatson, his brother Barry and sister Judy (now Edgecombe).
Beatson has competed successfully all over New Zealand as well as offshore. He's renowned for his fearlessness, and has several times jumped sponsors' vehicles - much to the delight of many who've watched.
The younger equestrian generation look up to a man they describe as "a bit of a legend". He doesn't often have much to say and his advice to many an aspiring young rider is concise and accurate - and generally very black and white.
Beatson isn't sure when his first Horse of the Year (HoY) Show was - he's guessing he was 12 or so. He never quite managed a Pony of the Year crown, but did place one year.
He donated the Nationwide Cup to the HoY for the showjumper who gains the most points at the show, after his same-name horse won the Olympic Cup in 1983 and 1984 - he did it again in 1986 on Jefferson Junior and in 1991 on Minalinka.
Nationwide was an interesting horse - formerly owned by the Hansen brothers who are so involved with the HoY. Folklore has it show director Kevin Hansen was dropped three times at the Taihape Show by this rather headstrong horse and came out of the ring offering him for sale to almost anyone who was handy.
Beatson's love of horses was passed to both his boys, Jamie and Andrew.
Beatson shared some entertaining stories about his early riding days and his more recent adventures offshore, but his parting words from the stage were particularly well-received.
He thanked all the other competitors and said New Zealand was one of the best places in the world to showjump.
"We've got everything going for us - it is truly a great place."
And no matter how big or important the cup is that Beatson rides off with, he's forever the sportsman who points out that showjumping is a great leveller.
"You may win today, but tomorrow we all start together at the bottom of the heap."
The other Hall of Fame inductee was Gaylene Lennard (Waikato) for her prowess in the showing circles.
"Who would believe someone from the 'dolly' ring would be good enough to win this," said a very surprised Lennard. "They say you are lucky if you get one good horse, well, I had two amazing horses and they gave me a lot of success."
She and her stunning hack El Sid - who has since been sold to Australia - won Supreme Hack of the Year six times, five of which were consecutive, and the Trans Tasman Champion Hack at Werribee, Australia, the first combination to do both. With Royal Occasion, she won Park Hack of the Year six times.
The Hall of Fame honours board hangs in pride of place at the Hastings District Council - and rightly so, according to Ms Bowers.
"This show is incredibly important to Hastings," she said, pledging ongoing support.
She also extended heartfelt thanks to HoY director Kevin Hansen and the others who ensured the show was the success it had become.