The 2013 New Zealand Horse of the Year Show will have one of the sport’s biggest stars as a special competitor and guest this year.
It has just been confirmed that the newly-knighted Sir Mark Todd will compete at the six day March show and will be the special guest speaker at the Horse of the Year Hall of Fame Gala Dinner.
Sir Mark last rode at the show in 2008 when short-listed for the New Zealand team for the Beijing Olympics. He and his lovely grey NZB Gandalf won the eventing challenge, and aboard Tregonning he won the Battle of the Sports.
This time he will compete in the New Zealand Speed Championships, a showjumping title class on Sunday afternoon, just before the prestigious Olympic Cup.
“I haven’t even ridden in a speed class for years,” said Sir Mark.
However, this double Olympic gold medallist who was a member of the Kiwi team to win bronze at the London Olympics, also rode for New Zealand in showjumping at two Olympic Games.
“I’m really looking forward to riding at the show,” he said. “I competed in showjumping at the Horse of the Year for more years than I can remember.”
He’s also keen to catch up with family and friends.
Guests at the popular Hall of Fame Gala Dinner will be in for a treat, and likely to get more than a little insight into what went on behind the scenes at the London Olympics as well as his plans for the future as he looks toward the World Equestrian Championships in France in 2014 and the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Dinner organiser Carol-Ann Stubbs, from Gameplan NZ Ltd, says it is “wonderful” to have Sir Mark top-billing at the gala gathering. With tickets limited to just 300, she’s urging people to get in quick.
Meanwhile HOY show director Kevin Hansen says to have “a true icon” of equestrian at the show is a treat for all.
“We really wanted to have Sir Mark at the 2013 show, and confirmation that the Rider of the 20th Century will be here and competing just makes it all so much more special,” he said..
Sir Mark is also likely to feature in the Friday Night Extravaganza. The NZ Horse of the Year Show runs from March 12-17 and is held in Hastings
Diana Dobson
