Big and small are all heading to EQUITANA Melbourne in November where all things equestrian will be on hand – from competition to entertainment, shopping to education, and inspiration to a shared love of horses.
EQUITANA Melbourne is back after a four-year hiatus and it’s tough to tell who is more excited – the fans, exhibitors, presenters, competitors or the team who bring it all together.
The iconic international event was bumped due to COVID in 2020, with the following two rescheduled events also halted in their tracks. But now, with the borders re-opened everything has moved up a gear or three.
“This will be a very special year,” promises EQUITANA managing director Rod Lockwood. “After four years and plenty of heartache following cancellations, I am ecstatic that EQUITANA Melbourne is finally a reality in 2022. We have worked so hard to stay in business and deliver our beloved event . . . to see it happen is emotional.”
With a lineup boasting “incredible” Australian and international star presenters, alongside education and competition programmes, it is no wonder tickets have been flying out the door for the November 10-13 event.
“We are not only returning to the Melbourne Showgrounds, but we are coming back in style.”
A number of the events are close to sell-out already and Rod is encouraging those keen to be ringside at the experience that promises to be one of the best yet.
The Off the Track Jumping Masterclass star presenters are Rio Olympic Games teammates Scott Keach and James Paterson Robinson. Scott rode at top level in both eventing and showjumping, while James is a showjumper.
The Sprenger Dressage Masterclass star presenter is Tokyo silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery, while acclaimed horseman and entertainer Guy McLean top bills for the Australiana Mane Event, and international reiner and trainer Warwick Schiller presents the natural and western horsemanship day.
There is something for every follower of every discipline . . . from reining to showjumping, eventing to dressage, horsemanship and more.
And the team has used the downtime to create two exciting new competitions – the Knock out Stakes and All or Nothing Gamble which are both edge of your seat, speed demon events, and for the first time Mitavite TWOTH (The Way of The Horse) will be an all-female line-up.
As well as days filled with competition, demonstrations, shopping and more, there are night shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Every breed of horse is included at EQUITANA, from minis to off the track thoroughbreds, supremely bred warmbloods, sport horses, and even pony clubbers.
“This is an event that is so unique in what is presented,” says Rod. “We always seek the very best of talent we can find, bringing people from all over the world to Melbourne to share their knowledge, show their skills, and inspire Australian men, women and children in all sorts of ways, helping them do better with their own horses.”
Diana Dobson
EQUITANA Melbourne media liaison
diana@blackballoon.co.nz
+64 (0)21 222 0145
For all the information and tickets, head to www.equitana.com.au.
