HOY's Hansen lauded

FAREWELL: Kevin and Sue Hansen bow out of Horse of the Year. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

Horse of the Year Show supremo Kevin Hansen was sprung a surprise farewell in front of one of the biggest crowds since he brought the show to Hastings 17 years ago.

The main grandstand was packed during the Hawke's Bay Today Friday night Equestrian Extravaganza as Mr Hansen wheeled father Ossie Hansen across the arena to a vantage point for the McMillan Equine Feeds Silver Fern Stakes.

It was then that he, his dad, wife Sue and son Andrew were called back by MC and Warrick Allan to learn of the commemorative collusion going on behind the scenes among brother Chris, Maori Wardens, riding doyen Maurice Beatson, Maori Wardens, and the "tradies," represented by Show Circuit Magazine.

Momentarily delaying the start of the $50,000 McMillan Equine Feeds Silver Fern Stakes, Mr Allan, said there were a few people who wanted to thank Kevin and Sue Hansen and the family for brining the event on Hawke's Bay and making it the attraction it had become.

The horse world stopped as champion rider Beatson looked at the man of the moment and said: "Kevin Hansen. What can we say?"

"It's been a huge celebration of all the equestrian things," he said, and recalled great moments, such as Tri-Nations and transtasman events, and appearances of riders from around the World, including the UK, Italy, Germany and "the Dutch".

"It has been great for these riders to be able to come out here," Beatson said, saying it would not have happened had it not been for Mr Hansen's foresight and planning.

After being presented with a bouquet and books to commemorate the 17 years of Horse of the Year shows in Hastings, Mr Hansen, who had thought the farewells had ended at the Horse of the Year Hall of Fame dinner on Thursday night, said: "I'm the boss. This is not meant to be happening."

There was just the slightest hint of a tremble in the voice, Mr Hansen said of his departure from the event when it ends tomorrow: "I tell people it's not sad. It is disappointing, but I am happy at the same time."

Mr Allan, originally from Gisborne and now based in Wellington as Equestrian Sports New Zealand's high performance manager, told Hawke's Bay Today later he had known Mr Hansen since before the Horse of the Year came to Hastings.

"He is the ideas and vision man," Mr Allan said.

"Some of things he comes up with, you thin:k 'really!' but he pulls it off.

"He never takes no for an answer."