Obituary: Equestrian stalwart was keen showjumper

Hawke's Bay equestrian stalwart Oswald "Osie" Hansen has died. At 93, Hansen had been living in Taradale and died after a short illness. Photo / Equestrian Sports New Zealand

Hawke's Bay equestrian stalwart Oswald "Osie" Hansen has died.

At 93, Hansen had been living in Taradale and died after a short illness.

He was born in Gisborne to Harry and Rita Hansen and after serving in WWII received a ballot farm in Ongaonga, Hawke's Bay.

It was there that he and his late wife, Muriel, raised their four children - Mary, Kevin, Chris and Warwick.

He was a keen and very successful showjumper to A grade level.

Hansen was a member of the victorious Rutherford Cup team and represented the North Island.

His most famous horse was Cheyenne who jumped at A grade level with plenty of success.

Hansen helped organise events in Central and Southern Hawke's Bay for a number of years and hunted all his life.

He is a life member of the Dannevirke Hunt.

However, he got most pleasure out of watching his children compete.

All followed in his footsteps with success at top national level, with the boys all riding for New Zealand in transtasman competition.

Hansen rarely missed a Horse of the Year Show, regardless of how his health was and in recent years would be seen all over the showgrounds in his motorised wheelchair.

Son Kevin, wife Sue and their son, Andrew, were involved in organising the Hoy Show until last year. They emigrated to Australia.

Osie Hansen's funeral is on Monday at 11am at St Andrew's Church in Hastings, and afterwards at the RSA.