When NRM Horse of the Year Show director Kevin Hansen promises to raise the bar, he's not joking.

A judge runs an eagle eye over a young competitor and her pony – one of 2700 combinations expected to compete at the NRM Horse of the Year Show. Dreamwater Photography.

The 2014 show is lining up to be a cracker, with New Zealand's best onshore riders keen to claim crowns, the Mitavite Trans Tasman test match, the Country TV Tri Nations including Australian, New Zealand and emerging equestrian nation China, the return of Sir Mark Todd, VIP volunteer Te Radar, fashion icon Annah Stretton, the Hall of Fame Dinner, a slew of media, plenty of celebrities and more.

'It's going to be a good one all right,” says Kevin. 'There is so much going on at this show.”

The premier JB Olympic Cup – which this year will be designed by John Vallance (Australia) – is likely to include former champs Maurice Beatson and Katie McVean, along with other top names, and probably a few new ones too.

The shifting of the John Nicholson-designed cross country to the show grounds for the eventing promises to be a real highlight. Riders are looking forward to it, while behind the scenes plenty of time and effort has gone into planning to ensure everyone is safe. The whole show will grind to a halt to watch the spectacle between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday.

The Mitavite Trans Tasman showjumping test, being held at part of the McMillan Feeds Silver Fern Stakes on Friday evening, is stacking up to be another epic battle.

Kevin is particularly excited to be playing host to a delegation of about 30 Chinese, who are here as a result of his recent trip to the Asian nation.

'China is the emerging equestrian market in the world and increasing at a rate of knots that no other country can match. It is great to have riders, officials, owners and breeders at HOY this year.”

A team of three riders will compete on borrowed horses in the Country TV Tri Nations, which will run two 1.25m rounds a day on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. It is hoped the New Zealand team will be captained by Sir Mark Todd.

'It is a while since we had a tri-nations competition here, and this new-look one should be a good battle. It's always great to have Mark [Todd] at the show.

'He is a real inspiration to every New Zealand rider and we are really lucky to have him here in a world champs year.”

All 18 disciplines are primed and ready for what each hopes will be the best show so far.
Tickets are available for the Hall of Fame dinner on Thursday evening, where VIP guest Lance O'Sullivan, one of New Zealand's most celebrated jockeys, will entertain through an interview with national ‘Farming Show' host Jamie MacKay.

And of course it is the evening to celebrate those who have given so much to the world of equestrian, with induction to the Hall of Fame.

Trade is bigger and better than ever, and has become a huge draw card to the event, says Kevin.

The introduction of the Taste the Bay Evening Market on Wednesday in the Land Rover Premier Arena is an exciting addition to the show.

What: NRM Horse of the Year Show
When: March 18-23
Where: Hawke's Bay Showgrounds