Editorial: Fate of horse show is vital to the Bay

Horse of the Year 2015 will welcome top riders such as Katie Laurie (nee McVean) to the arena at Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.

It is once again time for the Farmlands Horse of the Year and next week's show will certainly have a bit of an edge to it.

You can bet your bottom dollar that Kevin and Andrew Hansen will be out to make this show a big success after the Horse of the Year board decided to put the event manager contract for next year's show out to tender. Horse of the Year (Hawke's Bay) reported a loss of $108,000 for the year to the end of May 2014 but is budgeting to make a $130,000 profit over the current financial year.

Putting that all aside, the Hansens have not put a bid in, so come what may, a new event management company will run next year's show.

There is no doubt that Horse of the Year is the showpiece of Hawke's Bay's events, with more than 1800 riders, 100 judges and 2600 horses competing across 18 disciplines. Board chairwoman Cynthia Bowers says it contributes about $12.5 million to our economy. That is a big contribution and one of the main reasons why we want to keep it in the Bay for as long as possible.

While the horse has bolted (excuse the pun) with regards to continuity in the management of the event, there is an opportunity to set the bar high for future shows.

Hopefully the rain stays away and the event is a huge success.

I have heard whispers that representatives of some of the companies bidding for the right to host the show will be in attendance next week. Let's hope they come up with ideas to make it even better.

Much has been said about the way in which the decision to put the show out to tender was made but there is no point in dwelling on that now. The deed is done and now it is time to make sure that the right company is chosen to run the show from next year.

Having set this process in motion, it is up to Ms Bowers and her board to make decisions to guarantee the show's longevity and financial viability.

It is a big task. One our region is depending on.

But while we must focus on the future, I do hope that the Horse of the Year board and the local councils that support the show acknowledge the massive contribution Kevin Hansen and his team have made over the past 17 years.

It is fine for a board to make a business decision, but being gracious and thankful to the person who made the show into what it is today is also important.

Hopefully in the hurly-burly of the show this is not forgotten.