Thousands flock to Hororata Highland Games

Chieftain Colin Forsyth officially opened the Hororata Highland Games. Photo: David Baird
Chieftain Colin Forsyth officially opened the Hororata Highland Games. Photo: David Baird
Brooke Rowbotham, Fran Fitzpatrick, and Amy Ferris. Photo: David Baird
Brooke Rowbotham, Fran Fitzpatrick, and Amy Ferris. Photo: David Baird
Chieftain Colin Forsyth with Kilted Mile winner Mac Smith and Donna Murry from FMG. Photo:...
Chieftain Colin Forsyth with Kilted Mile winner Mac Smith and Donna Murry from FMG. Photo: Hororata Highland Games
Brock Ridsdale. Photo: David Baird
Brock Ridsdale. Photo: David Baird
The BBC Eagles were the Tug O War champions. Photo: David Baird
The BBC Eagles were the Tug O War champions. Photo: David Baird
Highland Dancing Champion Sarah McCarthy with Colin Forsyth. Photo: Hororata Highland Games
Highland Dancing Champion Sarah McCarthy with Colin Forsyth. Photo: Hororata Highland Games
Pie eating champion Craig Homer. Photo: David Baird
Pie eating champion Craig Homer. Photo: David Baird
Photo: David Baird
Photo: David Baird

Thousands of people turned out for the 12th annual Hororata Highland Games on Saturday.

Nearly 1000 competitors of all ages also took part in the traditional Scottish events, including a record number of highland dancers, pipers and drummers.

A founding committee member of the event, Colin Forsyth, travelled from his home in Scotland to take up the role of chieftain at the games.

More than 1000 people had a go at tossing a caber, as well as the pie eating, Kilted Mile, and Highland Challenge competitions. 

A highlight of the day was the huge band march and chieftain's welcoming ceremony.

The welcoming ceremony was followed by a massive Scottish Country Dance where the crowd got to jump the fence to the main arena to dance the specially choreographed 'Hororata Heavies' in celebration of 100 years of the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society.

Forsyth said he was blown away by how much the festival has grown.

"12 years ago, I took a phone call. They said: 'We have this idea can you help us'.

"I said: 'Why not' - and got on board. 

"There was a lot of trust put in me and we got the first Hororata Highland Games off the ground.

"The community took my ideas, questioned some, added a kiwi twist, and created one of the world's greatest highland games, and I know this because I have been fortunate to attend many games around the world. 

"I was simply blown away as I wandered around the festival, it is just phenomenal.

"The committee has stayed true to our initial vision but expanded it into something that was beyond my wildest dreams."

The games are a community-run event with all proceeds benefiting the Hororata area.

Fourteen community groups raised funds through the games for their causes and more than 200 volunteers helped deliver the event.

Forsyth said: "It is a shining example of what a community can do by pulling together with a common vision.

"It was one of the greatest honours that has ever been bestowed on me - to be the head of the Hororata Clan as their chieftain.

"I am so proud of what the Hororata community is achieving.

"Thank you to all the volunteers, competitors, stallholders, sponsors and everyone who came, it is you who make this event what it is."

Overall results (full results to come)

Heavy Championships

Manawa Oceania Heavyweight Championship

1st Terry Sparkes  from Australia (3rd time in a row)

2nd Craig Manson from NZ

3rd Liam Bourke

Manawa Womens Hororata Highland Games Championship

1st Fran Fitzpatrick from Australia 

2nd Brook Rowebotham 

3rd Amy Farris 

Manawa Mens Hororata Highland Games Championship

1st Connor O'Brien

2nd Sion Rhys-Hughes

3rd Jesse Bown

Haraways Junior Warriors 

TBC

Pipe Band Champions

The champion pipe band was awarded to the Grade 2 Celtic Pipe Band (Nelson). 

Champion Highland Dancer 

Sarah McCarthy

Fern Tug O' War

Mens - BBC Eagles

Mixed - Rope Burners 

FMG Kilted Mile

Overall winner - Mac Smith 

Hororata Pie Eating Competition

Craig Homer

Best Dressed Lad and Lassie

TBC