Disheartened show planner leaving

Kevin Hansen, Horse of the Year Show event manager for 18 years, is disheartened by a change in policy and is moving to Sydney. Photo / File

Hawke's Bay's premier event director is moving to Australia, citing "uncertainty" after the Horse of the Year Show's management was put up for tender.

Event Pro owner Kevin Hansen, the show's event manager of 18 years, said he would move to Sydney in April, since the Horse of the Year (Hawke's Bay) board had decided to go to tender from next year.

However, he still planned to tender for the contract.

"We know they are approaching other companies, which is a bit disheartening for us. This has put a lot of uncertainty into our company. I'm moving to Sydney in April as a result of this uncertainty."

Mr Hansen has an extensive network of contacts in the equestrian world. In recent years he has run the show, touted as one of the biggest sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere, with his son Andrew Hansen.

He said he was "disappointed" with the board's decision and "it would be a detriment to the show" if he was no longer event manager.

Asked if he would want to be involved in the show in some other capacity, he said: "I wouldn't want to play some part in the show. I think our company is the most successful equestrian-event management company in Australasia and we would only want to event manage the show."

The board reported a $108,000 annual loss last year, although the 2014 show was widely acclaimed a success. Cynthia Bowers, board chairwoman, said it had advertised for expressions of interest from event management companies "to deliver all or part of the show from next year".

A range of contractual and activity reviews were being undertaken and Sport New Zealand was also funding a broader activity review which would examine the "structure, governance and operation" of the show.

Hawke's Bay showjumping star Maurice Beatson said "it'll be a sad day if Kevin is not involved".

"He has vast contacts and that's why it's so successful, it takes a lot of manpower to run the show. You'd be going down a dangerous road if you got someone else to run it."

Ms Bowers, who is also deputy mayor of Hastings, said while she had "a lot of admiration" for Mr Hansen: "I think competitors come to the Horse of the Year Show because of the calibre of the event, not because of loyalty to Kevin".

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the board was responsible for deciding who ran the show.

"My understanding is they just want to make sure they've got the very best to run the event."

He said: "To go away from the Hansen family and all their experience and contacts, it would be a difficult thing to match, I would have thought."