from Hawkes Bay Today (dated 15mar11)

It reads like a children's fairytale - Little Mindy Lou, Magpie and Sarah.

It's a pretty good little clique too - Sarah is 13-year-old Sarah Fannin who with Little Mindy Lou won the category A show hunter title at the 2009 Horse of the Year Show, and finished second in 2010. Magpie is her new pony who won the last two category C titles with her previous owner Lily Tootill.

Sarah and Magpie are one of 2600 combinations competing at this year's NZ Horse of the Year Show in Hastings.

The young rider has had a nice build-up, finishing runner-up in the extremely competitive FEI children's competition recently at the Wellington Horowhenua Championships.

Last year, Mindy was sold to the Du Plessis family in Auckland but has been in Hawke's Bay since January to focus on show hunter series leaderboards and prepare for the show.

She'll head back to her new home after the show.

It was Mindy Lou who introduced Sarah to the world of jumping and gave her so much confidence, according to mum Jill.

"She is a great little pony and one we can honestly say has never stopped or run off a jump with Sarah on her back."

Sarah, who has just started Hastings Girls' High School, says there is no way she can pick a favourite between her two beloved ponies.

"It's great to have Mindy home," she says.

"She is such a cool pony and will do just anything for me. She's so special."

But Magpie has also earned praise.

"He is just amazing, and very kind and even to ride. He goes around at such a nice pace and lets the stride come to him really."

Show hunter is most definitely her favourite discipline but she's already looking ahead.

"I love show hunter and the thrill of being in title class at the Horse of the Year Show," she says, "but I really want to get more into showjumping where you only have yourself to blame if something goes wrong."

She and Magpie will compete in showjumping at HoY.

This is Sarah's first year not doing any showing, which comes as surprise considering last year she won the 128cm and under showing title at the HoY aboard Eastdale Legacy (owned by Isabella Du Plessis).

It was a dream combination and Sarah was flown around the countryside to compete on the pony.

Sarah is not the only competitor in her family - older brother Shaun enjoys plenty of success with his category C pony Shizado and his showjumper Strathcarron Zaurak (owned by Sue Thompson-Brown and Peter McKenzie) who he will compete on in the junior rider event.

The family always look forward to the biggest show of the year in their own back yard.

It's the pinnacle event for New Zealand and applauded the world over as a true celebration of all things equestrian.

The show is also a valuable cog in the Hawke's Bay economy, worth about $11.5 million to the wider region.

Show director Kevin Hansen and his team work year-round to ensure every detail is seen to - with 18 disciplines competing over 28 arenas, planning must be tight. From showjumping to dressage, eventing to the newest discipline to join the show, para-equestrian - the best in the land are represented.

Highlights of this year's show include the transtasman test, which is being run as part of the Silver Fern Stakes during the Friday Night Extravaganza. The class alone has a prize purse of $50,000.

The event culminates on Sunday when the Bell Tea Olympic Cup is presented to the New Zealand Showjumper of the Year. The class carries a prize purse of $200,000, with a $40,000 cheque for the winner.

It has attracted top Australian combinations, as well as the best in New Zealand, because it is also a qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics.

Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios (Venezuela) is once again heading Down Under to create challenges for horse and rider while entertaining the crowds.