The CHB Mail Central Hawke’s Bay Sports Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of Central Hawke’s Bay athletes, coaches, and officials.  The awards also recognize innovation, excellence and contribution to sport and active recreation in Central Hawke’s Bay from grassroots through to elite level.  

Sport Hawke's Bay is pleased to announce the Inductee to the Central Design & Print Central Hawke's Bay Sports Hall of Fame for 2020 is Mary Darby, of Porangahau.   

Mary not only performed as an equestrian athlete at the highest level but has continued to contribute in many forms to the sport of Eventing for many years both Nationally and locally. She will join the wall alongside fellow Sports Hall of Fame Inductees: Rhonda Hira (2012), Lloyd Lawrence (2013), Norm Hewitt (2014), Tiny White (2015), Tony Polhill (2016), Emma Jensen (2017) Robbie Stuart (2018) and Westley Gough (2019).  The Awards presentation evening is to be held on Friday 6th November at the AW Parsons Indoor Stadium in Waipukurau.   

Mary was a member of the first New Zealand eventing team to go overseas, to the Eventing World Championships in Kentucky, USA, in 1978. This team funded themselves in an effort to prove to the NZHS that they were in fact up to international standard. This was followed by her selection to contest the 1982 Eventing World Championships in Luhmuhlen, Germany and 2 years later selection into New Zealand’s first Olympic Eventing Team, to compete in Los Angeles in 1984 alongside Andrew Nicholson, Andrew Bennie and Mark Todd.  The NZ team finished sixth, which was considered a successful Olympic debut.  

Returning home after Los Angeles, Mary provided a benchmark for aspiring internationals here. She became a prodigious winner of national titles, a National Eventing selector and eventually Chair of Selectors. Her experience made her the ideal person to assume the mantle of course designer for C&SHB Eventing’s cross-country course at Arran Station, which has grown to become one of the country’s most popular courses, providing educational opportunities for horses and riders at all levels.    

Mary was also a long serving member of Central & Southern HB Eventing over the years which included a period as it’s Chair.  Her retirement several years ago from the local committee and competitive Horse Trials generally has allowed Mary the time to pursue another interest – training racehorses.    Her life-long passion for horses and constant quest for excellence remain undiminished and she shows no sign of slowing down.  

The Gala Evening is to be held on Friday 6th November at the AW Parsons Indoor Stadium.  Tickets are on sale now and includes the presentations, entertainment, 3 course buffet meal and non-alcoholic beverages.  Great value at just $50 each tickets can be booked and purchased online at www.sporthbchb.co.nz or from the AW Parsons Indoor Pool Reception until Friday 30th October.  There will be no late sales, so to avoid disappointment ensure you get in early to purchase as tickets are limited. 

Article added: Thursday 15 October 2020