Call for Horse of the Year show ambassadors

Volunteering as a Horse of the Year 2012 ambassador will see you give advice to locals and visitors on what to do at the show and point out the many great attractions that exist around Hastings District.

The volunteer ambassadors will do a similar job to those who provided information and guidance to visitors during the Rugby World Cup in 2011, except this time they would be based at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds in Hastings.

Hastings District Councillor Sandra Hazlehurst says “The Horse of the Year show is a major economic driver for Hastings and to ensure the district gains the maximum benefit, it is important that our visitors have a great time while they are here. Our ambassadors will help enhance that experience by directing people around the showgrounds and point out the great visitor attractions that are available in Hastings.”

Horse of the Year show organisers are looking for around ten people to fill the ambassador roles. Anyone who is interested in volunteering needs to be available for four or five days between March 13th and 18th and the successful candidates will be given appropriate training on the features of the show.

Sandra Hazlehurst says “Over the period Horse of the Year has been at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Showground in Hastings, the event has grown and developed in scale and sophistication. It is the largest equestrian event in Australasia and one of the premier equestrian events internationally. We are sure that those who are chosen to become an ambassador will have an enjoyable time and play an integral part in ensuring the 2012 Horse of the Year show continues to be a key part of Hastings events calendar.”

The extremely popular Equestrian Extravaganza on the Friday evening will include a Trans-Tasman Teams Test Match with NZ and Australian representatives competing with the CRT Silver Fern Stakes.

It is estimated that the Horse of the Year show brings economic benefits of around $12.75m in retail spending to the region. The 2012 event will cater for around 2600 horse and rider combinations and features 17 different equestrian disciplines.

Potential ambassadors need to be good communicators and have a bright and bubbly personality. Anyone who would like to volunteer as a Horse of the Year show ambassador should visit the Hastings i-Site before Monday March 5th to register your interest.

Horse of the Year 2012 runs from March 13th to 18th at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds in Hastings.