Profit to boost Hawke's Bay horse show

Hawke's Bay's Horse of the Year Show has battled to put itself into the black. Photo / Thinkstock

The Horse of the Year Show in Hawke's Bay will grow in stature as an international event thanks to it turning a profit, show director Kevin Hansen says.

The financial recession and loss of a naming rights sponsor were blows to the show, putting it into debt, but it has battled back to put itself into the black.

This year's show looks to have achieved its targeted profit, which should clear the remaining debt of $390,000 incurred in the "disastrous years of 2008 and 2009".

A long-term goal of the show is to increase its international flavour, which will be boosted next year by up to 18 teams of six riders descending on Hawke's Bay for the International Mounted Games World Team Championships.

A pool of 100 ponies is being schooled for international riders but the Australians were likely to fly their mounts over.

In 2008 New Zealand flew its horses to Sydney for the games and won the world-championship title from the Australian favourites - all other nations had pool horses.

The games, inspired by Prince Philip, are usually held in Europe where horses are more easily transported. They consist of many throwing, weaving, racing and catching events that test the rider as much as the pony.

Mr Hansen also indicated that Horse of the Year Show ownership was expected to change, with the Hastings District Council and Equestrian Sports New Zealand expected to have involvement in a new entity.

Show director Kevin Hansen is justly proud of the event, which has been credited with injecting over $12 million into the Hawke's Bay economy.

"There aren't too many major sporting events in New Zealand that are making a profit," he said.