• Take a picnic and set up near the Waikoko Lake for the best view in the house of the John Nicholson-designed cross country course, which is part of the two and three star eventing – it promises to be thrill-a-minute, heart-stopping stuff.

• Shake hands with the iconic Sir Mark Todd as he wanders around the show.

• Rub shoulders with the eclectic Kiwi comedian Te Radar who is the VIP volunteer coordinator for the 2014 show.

• Cheer on the Kiwis as they take on the Australians in the Mitavite Trans Tasman Test Series and against teams from Australia and China in the Country TV Tri Nations Competition.

• Watch current World Champ Philippe Le Jeune (Belgium) compete aboard Katie McVean’s horses in the top showjumping classes of the show.

• Head over to the showing rings (running through to Friday) and watch just what goes on behind the scenes to make these horses and riders look as smart as they do before they enter the ring.

• Don’t miss the JB Olympic Cup on Sunday afternoon in the Land Rover Premier Arena – it is the diamond in the tiara of this most wonderful show and features the very best horses and riders in New Zealand, including some from offshore.

• Watch the majestic Clydesdales (in the show rings Saturday and Sunday) as they revive old farming skills and compete in various disciplines.

• Be entranced by the beauty of the dressage kur – dressage to music – on Sunday between 12.30pm and 1.30pm in the Land Rover Premier Dressage Arena.

• Make sure you catch the Taste the Bay Twilight Market on Wednesday in the Land Rover Premier Arena between 6pm and 10pm.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kerry Marshall/KAMPIC