Cyclone Pam may have created a soggy start to the NZ Horse of the Year show but cyclone or no cyclone, the show must go on. For Jock Paget, coming from the end of winter in the UK, a bit of wind, mud and rain is no deterrent, although it has to be said that his first starts of the season at Tweseldown and Aston-le-Walls have been in pretty good conditions by English standards
Jock, who has twice been HOY Eventer of the Year, has returned to the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings to compete in the Land Rover 3* as well as being the guest speaker at the Plus Four Hall of Fame Gala Dinner, where he will be interviewed by local radio host Ross Holden.
Organisers of the event have been pushed to their limits by the impending arrival of Cyclone Pam, with huge amounts of rain and 120km per hour winds forecast. Horses were halted in Taupo, with around 250 spending the night at the National Equestrian Centre there, with others moved from the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds to the race course.
“It has been horrendous,” says show director Kevin Hansen, “but it has also brought out the best side of human nature. The support we have received, and the understanding from riders, supporters and volunteers has just been incredible. We are hugely appreciative of that support.”
Luckily the high winds forecast did not eventuate but Hawke's Bay Helicopters have been called in to hover slowly over the main arena at the venue in an effort to dry out parts affected by the torrential rain.
For the eventers the action kicks off tomorrow with dressage in the CIC3* and 2* classes followed by show jumping on Friday and cross country over the John Nicholson designed course on Saturday. Libby Law is at Hawke’s bay to bring our 4* members daily coverage and the best photographs from the 2015 NZ Horse of the Year Show
