The New Zealand Horse of the Year show will be staying in Hawke’s Bay in Hastings, New Zealand, for the next 12 years at least. The NZ HOYS hosts one of the few CDI 3* shows in the country.
With this year’s six-day 2600 horse and up to 85,000 visitor Horse of the Year event behind them, shareholders in Horse of the Year Hawkes Bay Ltd (HOY Ltd) have confirmed that hosting rights will remain in Hawke’s Bay until 2027 at a minimum.
“Horse of the Year has a significant impact on our Hawke’s Bay economy and it’s wonderful to be able to confirm our long-term hosting rights,” says Cynthia Bowers, chair of HOY Ltd. “The Horse of the Year show delivers approximately $12.5 million into our regional economy and we know that will only grow and continue to provide significant benefits to our community as a whole.”
At a meeting today, it was also announced that Horse of the Year 2016 will target an earlier date, with 1 March identified as a better time within the equestrian calendar. This change has been made following requests from competitors and all stakeholders are currently being engaged to ensure that calendars are in alignment.
“It gives equestrian sport the opportunity of extending their season as well as giving us a better opportunity to attract Australian riders who also want to ride in the Sydney Easter Show,” says Ms Bowers. “By bringing HOY earlier we can give them the best of both sides of the Tasman.”
The Horse of the Year show has been running in Hastings for the past 17 years.
Photo © Libby Law
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