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Latest Article
| Friday, 18 May 2012 |
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Equestrian extravaganza planned for Dunedin
By Donna Vincent @ 11:21 a.m. :: 1 Views :: New Zealand Events
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Dunedin is to host a large equestrian event at its new stadium early next year, planned by Horse of the Year Show director Kevin Hansen.
Hansen of Event Pro has spent 18 month planning the inaugural Dunedin Equestrian Extravaganza at the Forsyth Barr Stadium on February 1, which is to be followed by the Otago Show Jumping Championships at the Taieri A&P Showgrounds.
“It is extremely exciting. I have a real soft spot for Dunedin, and it’s wonderful to be able to bring an event of such magnitude to the people of Otago, Southland and beyond, fully utilising this magnificent all-purpose stadium,” Hansen said.
“It promises to be an equestrian event unlike anything previously available in New Zealand.”
Although there have been indoor equestrian events in the country before, Hansen says there is no venue that compares to the new 30,000 seat Forsyth Barr Stadium.
As the world’s only permanently covered stadium to boast a natural grass playing surface, the stadium will provide a ‘gladiator-type’ electric atmosphere, where the crowd will be able to get up-close-and-personal with the equestrian action, he says.
While the programme for the extravaganza is still under wraps, Hansen says it will kick off in the early afternoon with several show jumping events, leading-up to an evening celebration of all things equestrian, including a horse Grand Prix featuring Australasia’s leading show jumping combinations vying for $50,000 in prizemoney.
“It will be a night of family fun and entertainment, from high-paced action and world-class jumping to grace and beauty on horseback.”
The show jumping action will not be limited to the extravaganza though, with two further days of high-end competition planned at the Taieri A&P Showgrounds in Mosgiel as part of the Otago Show Jumping Championships rounding out the three-day entertainment package. Leading combinations from throughout New Zealand are expected to attend, with the highlight being Sunday’s $50,000 Grand Prix.
Hansen plans to enlist an international course designer for the weekend, and is already in talks with many leading Australian combinations about the possibility of competing, ensuring an international flavour.
The show grounds will also play host to world-class mounted games action with teams in the thick of preparations for the 2013 World Championships which are being held at the Horse of the Year Show in Hastings in March.
Hansen has been humbled by the initial response. “I can’t believe the support we have received from the Dunedin City Council, the stadium, local businesses and equestrians alike. Everybody has got right behind it. I am absolutely thrilled with the response.”
To bring an event like this to Dunedin is a huge risk, but one Hansen was determined to take and committed to making a success with the hope of it becoming an annual event.
“There are huge possibilities, but this is only year one and we need to make it viable in the first year. Over time it will get bigger and better.”
Hansen is best known as the man behind New Zealand’s premier equestrian showcase, the Horse of the Year Show, held annually in Hastings. Hosted in Hawke’s Bay for the past 14 years, the Horse of the Year Show continues to grow in stature internationally as one of ‘the’ events on the equestrian calendar. It attracts more than 75,000 people over six days of competition and pumps $12.5 million in the Hawke’s Bay economy each year.
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