Free Trip to HOY for Quake-Hit Cantabrians

A free trip to Hawke's Bay to see the Horse of the Year show is being offered to earthquake-stricken Christchurch residents.

Free flights and accommodation for Christchurch people were offered earlier in the week by Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule. He then contacted Horse of the Year show section organiser Elizabeth Charleston, who in turn was able to secure free tickets to the show for the travellers.

"I thought we should be doing what ever we can to help these people through this very difficult time and giving free tickets to attend the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show is the least we can do for them," Charleston said.

"I was so pleased that when I ran the idea past (HOY organiser) Kevin Hansen he gave me the thumbs up to to it. The New Zealand Horse of the Year Show is one of the largest and most prestigious annual equestrian events in the Southern Hemisphere and it's not to be missed."

Ticket prices for the show start at $10 for the first two days, $20 for the next two days, and $25 for the final day. Packages for all five days are also available.

The country's top dressage, show jumping, showing, show hunter and eventing riders will be joined by a host of international riders at the event, and many other disciplines will also be on show.

The show starts on Tuesday, March 15, and ends with the running of the Olympic Cup for the New Zealand Horse of the Year showjumping title on Sunday, March 20.

Hansen said the aim of the show was to create a true celebration of all things equestrian. "We want our friends in Christchurch to know that we are here for them and that at this time of tragedy that we want to support them however we can," he said.

"We invite the residents of Christchurch to take advantage of the free flights and accommodation in to Hawke's Bay, and attend the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show as our guests by waiving the charge of their admission tickets."

Almost 900 offers of accommodation in Hawke's Bay have poured in, meaning more than 2500 beds are available for Christchurch people.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said up to 800 return flights are available for Christchurch residents, free of charge under the scheme, "and there's plenty of accommodation being offered by Hawke's Bay residents".

"There are so many families in Christchurch who don't know where to turn following the earthquake and are looking to have some time away from the city, to gather their thoughts," Mr Yule said.

"A number of families have already taken up the offer and the big challenge now is to get the word out to the people of Christchurch."

Christchurch showjumping rider Tegan Fitzsimon is organising Canterbury riders who are competing at the Horse of the Year Show to wear a black armband on Friday, March 18, which is a Memorial Public Holiday in Christchurch. HOY organisers are also encouraging all other riders to wear an armband in remembrance of the people in Christchurch who lost their lives in the February 22 earthquake.

Fitzsimon said she had several friends who were now looking at travelling to Hasting for Show Week because of the travel offer.