Internationals Welcomed to Mounted Games World Team Championship at NZ Horse of the Year

The welcome mat was laid out for more than 60 international riders who will this week compete in the 2013 NRM Mounted Games World Team Championship at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in Hawke's Bay.

Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule welcomed more than 100 riders and supporters from 10 countries to the event – wishing them luck, but hoping for a New Zealand win.

“Play hard and fair and may the Kiwis win,” he said to the riders from Wales, England, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, the United States, France, Australia, Denmark and Hastings PAK'nSAVE team New Zealand. “It is an absolute privilege to have you in Hawke's Bay for the World Team Championship.

“The arena out there is probably the only bit of green grass in just about the whole of the North Island – probably the most significant drought in nearly 70 years.”

Mr Yule paid tribute to the small group of people who had worked so hard to bring the world champs to Hawke's Bay – singling out committee members Denise Bentall, Chris Hope, Kate Wiltshire and Kim Matches. And he congratulated Brenda Cross and Margaret Welsby who had been in charge of organising more than 70 ponies for the visiting riders to compete on.

He also acknowledged “Horse of the Year mastermind” Kevin Hansen and his EventPro team that put the show on.

Horse of the Year Show board, and deputy mayor, Cynthia Bowers said it was wonderful to have the World Team Championship at the first show under the new management.

“It adds an extra element to the show,” she said. “Between the worlds and Sir Mark Todd we have a really winning recipe – it is incredibly exciting.”

Welcomes were also given by New Zealand Mounted Games Association president Richard Egging and International Mounted Games Association chairman Keith Martin.

It is the first time New Zealand has hosted the World Team Championship. Just the New Zealanders and Australians are riding their own ponies, with the rest aboard borrowed mounts. New Zealand made history in 2008 when it won the world team crown on borrowed ponies.

France are the defending champions, in a sport that incorporates speed, fearlessness, agility and accuracy.

The first rounds of competition start on Wednesday afternoon, after a teams' parade at 4.30pm in the Land Rover Premier Arena. Competition runs daily until the final, which will be before a packed house as part of the Radio Network Saturday Night Variety Show.

Quick Link

• Visit the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show website

By: Diana Dobson/ESNZ