Pony of the Year winner 2020 Samantha Carrington and Colours of Lansing, at the Showgrounds Hawke's Bay Tomoana. Photo / Supplied
Pony of the Year winner 2020 Samantha Carrington and Colours of Lansing, at the Showgrounds Hawke's Bay Tomoana. Photo / Supplied
Land Rover Horse of the Year is all set to go ahead in alert level 1, however if the country is put into alert level 2, the event like any other will not take place.
Hopes remain high the country will remain in level 1 so New Zealand's biggest equestrianevent can gallop along as planned from March 9 to 14 at the Showgrounds Hawke's Bay Tomoana, Hastings.
HOY was the last major event to go ahead in Hawke's Bay in early 2020, before the alert level 4 lockdown.
Event manager Sophie Blake said even with a year full of disruptions, the show hasn't been pared back - in fact, it's bigger and better than ever.
She did confirm that if New Zealand or Auckland returns to alert level 2, the event, which has 1500 riders and 1900 horses competing, will not go ahead.
"Every step of planning has considered Covid-19. We are staying positive and hopeful we remain in level 1."
Blake said they are focused on delivering a successful event and will keep watching the situation while continuing to move full steam ahead.
This year HOY organisers also want to appeal to more than just horse lovers.
Bundy Philpott and Tresca NZPH riding around last year's Land Rover Horse of the Year CCI4* cross country course. Photo / Supplied
"Whilst the show is an absolute 'must do' for equestrian fans, anyone who enjoys watching live sports action and world class competition will not be disappointed," Blake said.
"We have NZ Olympians here competing as well as a host of up and coming equestrian athletes."
Non-horsey showgoers can indulge in shopping, with more than 160 retail sites featuring beds to bridles and everything in between.
There are many hospitality options including a food court, the Mumm Champagne Bar, The Nation Bar and the Waikoko Gardens Bar - where you can get a front seat to the Land Rover Burghley Cross-Country action on Saturday, March 13.
There is also a Land Rover interaction tent for tent for enthusiasts of a different kind of "horse power" and a dedicated kids' zone.
The equine action starts on Tuesday, March 9 and runs all week to Sunday.
Competitors will be competing in an array of national equestrian disciplines including Grand Prix show jumping and dressage, cross country, show hunter, mounted games and showing.
Entry will be free to all on Friday from 3pm with Hastings District Council's Free-for-All Friday to encourage more locals to go and enjoy the show.
Punters can watch the Young Rider of the Year show jumping and the Silver Ferns Stakes show jumping in the Premier Arena.
There will also be late night shopping and plenty of early dinner options on March 12.
Sunday is the "Day of Champions" including Pony of the Year, the Grand Prix Freestyle Dressage Final and NZ Olympic Cup, with a prize pool of more than $80,000.
You can buy tickets to the show at www.hoy.kiwi, or on the gate.
