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Skies Clearing over HOY
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Skies Clearing over Farmlands Horse of the Year Show
The rain has cleared and a stiff wind is providing much needed drying weather at the Farmlands Horse of the Year Show in Hastings today.
Classes got under way this morning, and while it's more suited to mud larks, there's a buzz around the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds.
Show director Kevin Hansen will make a decision early afternoon as to whether he will bring in a helicopter to dry the Land Rover Premier Arena, where many of the show's biggest events are held.
“One of my biggest problems is finding a suitable warm up area for the Land Rover Premier Dressage Arena,” says Hansen. “Their warm-up arena is a mess and there is very little room anywhere on the showgrounds that is suitable.”
For today, dressage combinations will warm up in the adjacent showjumping arena. All competition has been shifted from that arena today, but will be in full swing tomorrow.
The scheduled 1.4m class this afternoon has been moved to the NRM Arena.
The polo and rugby grounds at Elwood Park are being used today, but it is very much a day-by-day situation there.
The gates between the showgrounds and the polo grounds have been locked with only the Welsh ponies competing there today allowed on the grounds.
“We do not want any others over there warming up or riding there today,” says Hansen.
The weather and conditions have meant some scratchings from the opening day of competition, but most are entering in classes later in the show.
Classes postponed yesterday are all underway today or tomorrow. Nothing has been dropped from the schedule.
The mud and ground conditions have also caused havoc for those trying to bring trucks in and out of the grounds, and the show's tractors have been kept very busy.
“The trade guys have been brilliant, but they have had a tough time getting all their stuff in there. I wish them the best of luck for the show,” says Hansen.
“I'm confident the wind and forecast warm temperatures will dry the grounds out.”
He's picking Saturday's People's Day, when the exciting cross country is run at the showgrounds, as one of the definite highlights of the show.
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