FEI NZ Series World Cup Final hosted by Otago
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Ride the Rhythm steps up another level for 2014 with the announcement that the FEI New Zealand series World Cup Final will be held as part of the February 1 show.
Already recognised as one of New Zealand’s exciting new events, Ride the Rhythm next year combines more excitement and world class international music at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The equestrian entertainment, which includes $70,000 for the puissance, a 1.45m one star grand prix and a 1.35m pony grand prix as well as the World Cup final, is the fore-runner for what organiser Kevin Hansen is calling “a party like no other”.
“This will be the equestrian party of the year,” he says. “We are very excited by it all.”
Still to be announced is just who that top music act will be. The Hollies brought thousands to the stadium in 2013, and Hansen is confident next year will be no different.
The puissance was also a huge hit this year, with Aussie Billy Raymont and the golden girl of New Zealand jumping Katie McVean sharing first prize after they both cleared 1.95m. The New Zealand record sits at 2.12m and anyone who clears that and a bit more – 2.21m – will pocket the $70,000.
Hopes are high there will be more top Australian showjumpers at Ride the Rhythm, which is part of the Long White Cloud Tour. Last season the tour attracted around 25 top combinations who spent seven weeks competing at some of New Zealand’s top shows.
Also on the card in Dunedin are a few yet to be announced equestrian acts. The gates will open at 4pm, when the 1.45m one star grand prix gets underway, followed by the pony grand prix, the puissance at 6pm, the $40,000 World Cup (NZ series) final and at 8.45pm it’s time to put on those dancing shoes.
Hansen says he’s including the pony grand prix to give the nation’s rising young stars that ultimate experience of jumping in such a world-class stadium.
Darren Burden, chief executive of Dunedin Venues who run the Forsyth Barr Stadium, says he is thrilled to be welcoming back Ride the Rhythm.
"The combination of world class equestrian and music creates a totally unique event that we know is a real crowd pleaser,” said Burden. “It’s great that Ride the Rhythm is returning to Dunedin, and we look forward to helping grow this event into a mainstay on the city's event calendar."
The 2014 event is held in the middle of the Otago Showjumping Championships, which run from January 30-31 and continue on February 2 at the Taieri A and P Showgrounds.
Need to know . . . • www.ridetherhythm.co.nz • the top-billing music act will be announced in late October • tickets go on sale on October 22 through www.ticketdirect.co.nz • the puissance offers $70,000 to the combination who clears 2.21m • gates open at 4pm • the elite entertainment includes the FEI World Cup (NZ series) final • starring the best horse and rider combinations in Australasia • the top-flight international music act takes the stage at 8.45pm
For more information, contact - Kevin Hansen 027 664 4496 Andrew Hansen 029 773 0778
