The countdown is on . . . EQUITANA Melbourne – the biggest equine event in the Southern Hemisphere – gets underway on Thursday and runs for four fun-filled action days featuring some of the best around.
Fun for all at the Breed Village at EQUITANA Melbourne.
Showjumping at its finest is on the card at EQUITANA Melbourne.
The very popular Double Dans will again be in action at EQUITANA Melbourne.
In a way, it’s a continuation of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival with more than 30,000 people flocking to the Melbourne Showgrounds to watch high-end competition and be inspired by educators and exhibitors from across the globe.
EQUITANA Melbourne’s The Way Of The Horse this year features an All Star cast of previous champs and a good old fashioned Australia v New Zealand clash.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of EQUITANA in Australia – a milestone that is being celebrated by so many. Ticket sales are already hitting near record-highs with some of the evening events already sold out.
Fun for all at the Breed Village at EQUITANA Melbourne.
Star presenters for EQUITANA Melbourne include eventer Chris Burton who won a team bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and has also ridden for Australia at the London Olympic Games and numerous World Champs.
Also top billing is celebrated American horsewoman Stacy Westfall, a multiple reining champ, and dressage superstar trainer Pedro Torres who is known across Europe for his harmonious classical horse training.
Eventing legend, triple Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy, is at EQUITANA as a guest of Racing Victoria’s Off The Track program and the very popular Vicki Wilson, a back to back winner of the prestigious US hosted World Championship of Colt Starting, is crossing the Tasman to share her knowledge.
There’s nothing like a good old Aussie versus Kiwi battle – this time in an All Star winner take all horsemanship clash in The Way Of The Horse which sees four previous EQUITANA champs transform unhandled horses over just four hours in the four days.
As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, those who have been so instrumental in making EQUITANA the event it is will be honoured at the inaugural Hall of Fame.
But the competition at the 2018 EQUITANA Melbourne is something they’re all talking about. With more than $130,000 on offer in the Horseware Australia Grand Prix, 44 combinations from both sides of the Tasman are keen to chase the biggest prize pot in Australian showjumping. The EQUITANA Melbourne Puissance Wall proffers an $80,000 payday to the combination who can beat the Australian height record of 2.32m.
There’s also breath-taking freestyle to music from the world of dressage and the McDowells Australian Brumby Challenge with 27 trainers showing what they’ve achieved over the past 150 days with their formerly wild horses.
With evening entertainment across Thursday, Friday and Saturday there’s plenty for everyone at this iconic event.
For more information, head to www.equitana.com.au
