There were emotional moments when some of the biggest names in the New Zealand equestrian scene were honoured last night at the inaugural Horse of the Year Hall of Fame gala dinner in Hawke's Bay.
Olympian John Cottle, Gisborne's Merran Hain, Hawke's Bay's Holden family, the late Hugh Thompson and Equestrian Sports New Zealand patron Tiny White are the first of what will become an annual tradition at the Kelt Capital Horse of the Year Show.
The inductees were celebrated in front of a sell-out 300-strong crowd. Iconic Kiwi duo The Topp Twins summed it up pretty well when they said it was like being at the Oscars - for horses.
"And without a great horse you are nobody," they said.
Stories were swapped and tears wiped as the inductees were honoured by MC Stuart McLeod, those receiving the award on behalf of those who had died, and the inductees themselves.
The roll of honour will now hang at the Hastings District Council much to the delight of Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule, who said he would continue to try and make Hastings and Hawke's Bay the centre of equestrian sports in New Zealand.
The late Duncan Holden was instrumental in establishing the New Zealand Horse Society and was a driving force behind the first Horse of the Year Show. His son, Peter, won the first Olympic Cup as Showjumper of the Year, and his late wife Helen introduced dressage to New Zealand.
It was Duncan Holden who changed equestrian in New Zealand after 'discovering' showjumping while offshore.
In his quest to compete at the Olympic Games he helped establish the New Zealand Horse Society and built the country's first FEI showjumping course. It was February 1951, at the Dannevirke Show, that he won that class aboard his wife's horse Starlight.
She was a top rider and dressage champ who won many of New Zealand's most prized awards, including the Burkner Medal three times.
Their love of horses was passed to son Peter who won that first Olympic Cup in 1953 on Starlight and again in 1957 aboard Rum. He represented New Zealand in the nation's first showjumping team to Australia in 1955. It was Peter who accepted the Hall of Fame honour on behalf of his family.
Hugh Thompson (Hawke's Bay) represented New Zealand many times in showjumping, won two Olympic Cups, two six bars and the Lowry Medallion for Rider of the Year. He was a course designer, rodeo champ, an accomplished polo player, a winning dog trialist, and a master and huntsman of the hunt.
His daughter Sue, herself a winner of the Olympic Cup, and sons Murray and Phillip, were on hand to accept the award on behalf of their late father, and proud to be there.
Tiny White is one of the nation's longest surviving equestrian competitors. Over the years she rode for New Zealand in dressage, won many of the nation's most prestigious trophies, including Lady Rider of the Year, the Lowry Medallion for Rider of the Year, and has won on both sides of the Tasman, has judged and continues to do so much for the sport.
John Cottle has represented New Zealand at Olympic and World Cup level. He and a fabulous band of horses have achieved more than any other rider in doing clean sweeps of all the major titles in New Zealand, he has won the Olympic Cup the most time of any rider - six in all, four Norwood Gold Cups and many other top awards.
Merran Hain QSM is the only rider to have represented New Zealand in all three Olympic disciplines, has won all the major Horse of the Year titles and holds the honour of having ridden more horses in more competitions than any other rider.
She's won the Lowry Medallion nine times, Lady Rider four times, Hack of the Year five times, Rigoletto Trophy twice and Show Hunter of the Year twice, among other awards.
White, Hain and Cottle all paid tribute to their horses and families, who had supported them every step of the way. Hain also thanked her fellow competitors who had ridden against her over the years. All received standing ovations.
Show director Kevin Hansen, who hatched the plan for a Hall of Fame with avid equestrian supporter Cindy Mitchener, said it was the perfect way to honour some of the greatest names in the sport.
"This will become a treasure for our show, our sport and our nation, and we are proud to have everyone together this evening to celebrate such achievements, he said.
Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule also had plenty of praise for what he described as "the most significant event on the Hastings calendar".
"It's great to see these five awardees being recognised for their contributions to both the event and equestrian sports. Hastings District Council is honoured to have been asked to host the Hall of Fame honours board, which will be displayed in pride of place for the public to admire."
Event organiser Maria Gourlie, of Mediawise Event Management, says the response from the equestrian fraternity had been incredible.
"So many have been so keen to celebrate the achievements of their heroes - it's quite humbling to be involved in such a project."
And she's looking forward to taking the Hall of Fame to new heights in years to come.
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