World champ to top horse show bill

CELEBRATIONS: Some of the crowd during the launch of 2014 Horse of the Year at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings, last night. PHOTO/GLENN TAYLOR

A triple coup was announced at last night's official launch of the 2014 NRM Horse of the Year Show - with the top billing being the inclusion of showjumping superstar Philippe le Jeune for next month's event.

During last night's launch at Waikoko Gardens, show director Kevin Hansen said he was rapt the Belgian reigning world champion would compete at this year's show.

"It is just out of this world to have him here riding top horses. For New Zealand riders to be warming up and walking courses alongside the current world champ will benefit the sport for years," Mr Hansen said.

"I don't think Hawke's Bay would have hosted one of the world's best in an individual sport for many years."

He said a Chinese equestrian delegation was also a unique addition to the line-up.

"I believe they will have quite an influence on the 2014 show. If we nurture this relationship, it can only be beneficial for the New Zealand equestrian industry, as well as helping the Chinese in growing theirs."

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the many economic options the Chinese would bring would help boost Hawke's Bay financially. "We could see some significant business opportunities and, if we can be the centre for the Chinese connection, it will benefit the entire region."

He said the current show already brought in just over $12 million for the local economy.

The Chinese will ride in a team against New Zealand, captained by Sir Mark Todd who returns for a second year, and Australia in the Country TV Tri Nations.

The Australian contingent will also ride in the Mitavite Transtasman Test.

In another first, the cross country course has moved to the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds this year and will weave its way through the grounds, a VIP area and Waikoko Gardens, where a family fun park will be set up.

Horse of the Year chairwoman and Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers was thrilled to secure Le Jeune and hoped the cross country would attract more fans during the six-day occasion.

"We want to get more people to the event. It's not necessarily us targeting those people who are already showjumping fans but promoting the event as entertainment for the public.

"We get a lot of people coming from outside the region but there is a large portion of the Hawke's Bay population that remains untapped."

Also announced at the launch was the Seventy Percent Club, founded by former top rider Beth Bielski, whose aim was for more New Zealand showjumpers to compete globally.

Ms Bielski is giving $3000 a year for three years to be shared equally among any competitors gaining 70 per cent or above in the dressage grand prix at the Horse of the Year. Last year the mark was not achieved, raising the prize this year to $6000.

The NRM Horse of the Year begins on March 16 with Showjumping's Holy Grail, with the show running from March 18-23. There will be 19 different equestrian sports in 28 arenas, with 11 countries competing or officiating.