<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><strong>The
pretty palomino horse who captured the hearts of the nation after being found
with wood preservative splashed on his face will compete in at the 2011 New
Zealand Horse of the Year Show.</strong></span></p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Squirt and owner Kathryn Corry compete in their first
class of the prestigious event today (Wednesday) in the show hunter division,
chasing top honours in the amateur and open divisions.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Corry
is keen to put the past few “weeks of hell” behind her and concentrate on
competing.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western">“<font face="Arial, sans-serif">I
just want to go out and do the best we can. It's been hell the last few weeks
and every morning I see Squirt my heart goes out to him..”</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Squirt was found with creosote splashed on his face at
the NZ series final show in Hawera in early March. Police investigations into
the attack are continuing, and while they have interviewed people, no arrests
have been made.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">But
his burns are healing thanks to both conventional and alternate treatment, and
Squirt is back to his cheeky self, much to the relief of his owner.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western">“<font face="Arial, sans-serif">I
wouldn't be here if I didn't think he wasn't.”</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">She
says she's been humbled by the outpouring of support.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western">“<font face="Arial, sans-serif">It's
been a bit overwhelming – phenomenal really. I've had so many calls and offers
from people I don't even know. It's nice to know there is such support out
there.”</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Thirteen-year-old Squirt, who has been with Piopio
based Corry since he was seven, is handily placed in the amateur leaderboard,
sitting just four points behind the leader, as they head into the final classes
at the Horse of the Year Show.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Extra
stable security has been put in place for Squirt while at the show.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Equestrian Sports New Zealand chief executive Jim Ellis
is delighted to see Corry and Squirt at the Horse of the Year Show.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western">“<font face="Arial, sans-serif">This
is the biggest event of our equestrian year and everyone is delighted to see
that Squirt has recovered enough to be able to take his place in front of the
huge crowds expected in Hastings this week,” says Ellis.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The
Horse of the Year Show started in Hastings yesterday and will run through until
Sunday.</font>
</p><br>
<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0cm" class="western">- Diana Dobson<br>Media Liasion, Showjumping NZ</p>
