REBECCA HARPER After the initial wild weather, sunny days have put smiles on the faces of organisers, spectators, and competitors alike at the Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show. Show director Kevin Hansen said Wednesday was "very hard" with the huge influx of people into the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds and tryingto get the show up and running. "I felt Wednesday was quite messy - the rain and wind didn't help. "But by Thursday morning it was great, with all the goodwill and smiles on the faces of people enjoying the event," he said. Mr Hansen was expecting a good crowd today and hoping for a "huge crowd and a packed grandstand" for tomorrow's dressage musical kur and the Bell Tea Horse of the Year showjumping class. "I hope the public will come in and see such a special event and special course," he said. Kylie Avery from Blenheim won yesterday's 100km endurance race on Silands Jasark. She set out with the group from the showgrounds at 7am and arrived in Havelock North at 3.22pm. New Zealand fought back from a stinging loss in the transtasman test yesterday by taking the early advantage in the Tri-Nations competition. The four-strong Kiwi team goes into the second day of the three-day competition a point ahead of Australia and the South Africans a distant third. Best performer from the three teams was Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) on Xcite and Becky Allen (Australia) on Shimmer Man who both had double clear rounds. Simon Wilson (Waipukurau) had his hands full with Eventfull who lived up to his name and tallied up a cricket score over the two rounds. Robert Steele (Hawera) was unlucky to drop a rail during his second round with Kiwi Haka. The next round of the Tri-Nations is today with the final round tomorrow. The competition moves to South Africa in April. Results (over two rounds): New Zealand 16 faults 1, Australia 17 2, South Africa 25 3.
