Steph Lancefield is one of three who will make history in the at the Mitavite TWOTH (The Way of the Horse) competition EQUITANA Melbourne. It is the first time the event has had three women go head-to-head for honours in this very special competition.
History is being made at EQUITANA Melbourne 2022 with three women going head-to-head for honours in the Mitavite TWOTH (The Way of the Horse) competition.
Horsemanship and this extraordinary contest are at the heart of all that happens at EQUITANA. Watching competitors quietly work their magic with unbroken horses for only hours over four days is a treat to behold.
Hayley Hinton, Skye Liikanen and Steph Lancefield are all hugely respectful of each other’s talents, but don’t expect any concessions – these are talented horsewomen who fully back their own ability.
For Hayley, TWOTH has always been her favourite event to watch at EQUITANA. “I would make sure I watched every session each day and sit there in awe of the amazing trainers,” says the 26-year-old full-time farrier from Tooma in New South Wales. “Never did I think I would be one of them.”
She’s looking forward to meeting the horses they’ll be working with and seeing just what she can achieve with her one in such a short amount of time. Her ethos is simple – work with the horse. “Work smarter not harder.”
Hayley has a number of top prizes from some of Australia’s celebrated competitions including second in The Man From Snowy River this year, winner of the Cattlemen’s Cup in 2019, and second in the Australian Brumby Challenge in 2020. I can’t wait to spend the weekend with two great horsewomen,” says Hayley. “I know it is going to be a great experience.”
Hayley Hinton
It’s a similar stance for Skye Liikanen. “EQUITANA is one of my favourite events to attend,” says the 33-year-old from southeast Queensland where she runs her business Silver Skye Equine. “I can’t wait for this opportunity to be alongside two amazing horsewomen.”
Most of her work is around re-educating and re-homing retired racehorses from Hong Kong but she also teaches and rides horses. She is a long-time competitor with her best result coming in The Retired Race Horse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in the United States where she won the overall dressage champion award and placed fourth in the freestyle.
“The most important thing is to always listen to the horse,” says Skye. “I am looking forward to sharing my love of horses with everyone and being in a great atmosphere amongst like-minded people.”
EQUITANA was where she first met the celebrated Double Dans – Australia’s favourite horsemanship duo. “Who would have thought many years later that I would have worked for them and they are also now great friends of mine.”
Steph Lancefield has been working on her personal fitness, riding a few babies, and keeping up her horse training regime in the build-up to TWOTH.
The 32-year-old lives in Merton, northeast Victoria, where she has what she calls her “dream job” as a sales rep for Johnson’s Natural Formula Horsefeeds. “It’s basically talking about horses all day,” she says.
They’re at the heart of all she does, especially when training or working a horse. “The horse always comes first. No prize or title is worth more than the wellbeing of any horse.”
She’s competed mainly in reining over the years and has many state and national titles to her credit. Earlier this year she won the intermediate open championship buckle at the NRHA Oceania Regional Finals and was reserve champ in the open.
“I’m really just your quintessential horse-crazy kid who never grew out of it!”
Skye Liikanen
EQUITANA western events manager Sandi Simons has been part of the event since it first came to Australia, and has long wanted to have an all-female contest for Mitavite TWOTH. “I think it will be nice for the audience to see how women are so different in their approach to working and training horses,” she says.
Sandi has been quietly watching the trio for the past few years, just waiting until the time was right to bring them together under the big roof at EQUITANA.
“The horsemanship element of EQUITANA is the take home for people. It is the key element that educates people and something they can actually use. For some, it is a real light bulb moment.”
Sandi is an EQUITANA Hall of Famer and an ambassador for horsemanship at the event. She is a respected horsewoman, educator and mentor to many. She is extremely excited to have EQUITANA Melbourne back. “It has been four long years so it is so exciting to be back. The horse industry needs this.”
This year three-year-old Connemara cross fillies from the Dylanglen Stud will be used for the first time in TWOTH. It is a breed known for its kindness, willingness and trusting gentle disposition. “I wanted a horse that fitted the demographic of the people at EQUITANA and these are perfect for teenagers through to mums,” says Sandi.
Around 40,000 people are expected through the gates at EQUITANA Melbourne over the four days from November 10-13, it promises to be a cracker. From top competition to superb star presenters who are coming in from across the globe, to shopping, education and entertainment – it is truly one of the gems of Melbourne.
For tickets and more information, head to www.equitana.com.au
