EQUITANA Event Highlights

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

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COMPETITION

Equestrian Grand Final: On Daily
Join in Australia’s elite equestrians as they take on the Equestrian Grand Final; a spectacular multidiscipline showcase of equestrian sport. This competition, proudly supported by IRT and Gow Gates Insurance Brokers, will bring together Australia’s leading equestrian competitors in Dressage (Saturday 22nd November), Jumping (Friday 21st November) and Exhibition Eventing (Thursday 20th November) for one grand showdown – expect big prizes, big action and big excitement, be sure to catch the Jumping and Dressage by securing your Friday, Saturday or Super Tickets early!

The Way Of The Horse: On Daily In the Grand Pavilion
EQUITANA Melbourne has pioneered the movement for professionalism in training with the highly accoladed The Way Of The Horse (TWOTH) – Australian Horsemanship Challenge.
This event platforms talented trainers in an interactive showcase over each day of EQUITANA. Trainers apply and are rigorously auditioned and assessed by a panel of the industry’s most experienced experts as they demonstrate their personal and highly specialised methods for starting and connecting with young horses. This year EQUITANA welcomes hand selected, by chance all Victorian, trainers Bruce O’Dell of Maldon; Kane Lamperd of Millawa and Bianca Gillanders of Woodend. TWOTH is accessible on General Admission, Day or Super tickets.

EQUITANA Australian Open: On Daily
The EQUITANA Australian open is a much anticipated and gripping world class event, which features the top Australian Reiners, Cutters and Barrel Racers vying for a combined prize pool of $90,000.

EQUITANA’s Australian Open Reining Championships takes place in the evening on Thursday 20th of September and promises a night of action and athleticism at its very best showcasing the seemingly effortless movements of the elite western trained horse to fabulous, foot stomping music! Don’t miss out on an amazing night of glitz and glamour with an evening of entertainment with live music acts, sliding, spinning horses and a special performance by leading Clinician Lynn Palm from the USA.

Accessible to Thursdand Super Ticket holders only- so book now and don’t miss out.

The Barrel racing brings together the country’s best barrel racers and their incredibly athletic horses for a competition full of glamour, speed and grace. Don’t miss this fast and action packed spectacular on Friday 21st November at 4pm in the Grand Pavilion (included in daily GA)

Don’t miss the exhilarating Cutting competition- whose objective to keep a young cow from its herd will have the audience on the edge of their seats. This event will provide high adrenaline action which will excite even the most placid horse lover. On 9.30amin the Grand Pavilion on Sunday 23rd November. Accessible on GA, Day and Super Tickets.

Outdoor Arena, Friday 22nd November
EQUITANA is proud the present the inaugural Supreme Products Equestrienne Turnout competition. This unique event will see the best Show Horses and Show Riders battle it out in front of the public in an entertaining and exiting display of showmanship.
Based on classic turnout classes akin to the Garryowen, 30 of Australia’s leading lady riders will be judged by 6 individuals in an independent points based system. Riders receive a score out of 200 points, with the cumulative score encompassed from Conformation and Soundness, Manners and Paces, Riding Ability, General Appearance, Saddlery and Costume. Accessible on GA, Day and Super Tickets.

Team sports showcase:
Outdoor Arena, Sunday 23rd November
Don’t miss the ultimate showcase of team horse sports on Sunday 23rd of November. With Polo, Polocrosse, Tentpegging and mounted games this will be the ultimate demonstration.

ENTERTAINMENT

Great entertainment finale with the Double Dans:
Grand Pavilion, Sunday 23rd November 4.30pm
Dan Steers and Dan James of Double Dans Horsemanship continue to hold captive crowds around the world with their electrifying liberty horse demonstrations, displaying the ultimate partnership between horses and handlers. The two Dans have committed themselves to inviting riders of any skill level to push the boundaries of horsemanship and build extraordinary relationships with their horses.

In a unique and one and only presentations they will share their proven training tips & techniques about Liberty training (a process where a horse and trainer communicate in complete freedom without restraint, using body language, positioning and vocal cues).

Following this they will be joined by a most accoladed group of special guests including Charlotte Dujardin (Dual Olympic Gold Medal Dressage Champion), Dirk Schrade (German Olympic Eventing Medallist), Lynn Palm (US Clinician and Western Dressage competitor) and Warwick Schiller (International Reining Competitor & Trainer)

In an afternoon of fun and hilarity they will work with riders who will swap horses and copy manoeuvres of each discipline in what is guaranteed to turn a select group of seasoned professionals into gung-ho teenagers again. Whilst each discipline normally stands alone, utilizing different breeds, different tack, and different training methods with ultimately, a different resulting horse; these equine stars will demonstrate how these riders and disciplines can interact with, and often mirror each other exemplifying versatility. After they swap horses each guest rider will ride a freestyle performance in their new discipline.
This event is accessible to Sunday Day Ticket or Super Ticket holders only.

Couples Challenge
Outdoor Arena, Saturday 22nd November 3.45pm
A never before seen event, EQUITANA Melbourne is proud to present the Couples Challenge. Don’t miss six couples all from different disciplines battling through a series of tasks all equestrians must undertake at a horse show.

These couples will be the best of their calibre and in a race against the clock they will have to perform tasks with their significant other. In this fun and entertaining event, they will compete against the other couples in four challenges – the winning couple will be the one with least penalties.

Jump & Drive:
Outdoor Arena, Friday 21st November 6:30pm
The finale to the exciting driving program will be crowd favourite; the TRM Jump & Drive Challenge where a selection of riders and drivers will team up to complete a jumping and a driving obstacle course. The horse and rider will complete a short course of showjumping fences and then dismount to hop on the back of a four-wheeled combined carriage pulled by a pair of ponies or horses. Together they will negotiate a high speed cones course winding through the jumps course. This will be the ultimate race against the clock!

Breed Showcase finale:
Outdoor Arena, Sunday 23rd November 12:30pm
In a unique event; the finest example of each breed exhibit in the Kelato Breed Village will be shown in hand in a Breed Showcase Finale. Breeds will be judged by three judges independently, and in accordance to their breed standards and given a score out of ten. The best of each breed (known as a supreme) will proceed to a final, judged against other breeds, where the judges will confer to decide on a final ‘best of show’ top 5, runner up, and overall winner.
The general public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite exhibit that is in the final showcase, so make sure you are there to have your say, and nominate your preferred breed.

Mini-Tana:
John Deere Arena, Saturday 22nd November 4pm
EQUITANA Melbourne in conjunction with the Independent Miniature Horse Registry and American Miniature Horse Association are proud to host ‘Mini-Tana’ – the ultimate showcase of Miniature horses. You can enjoy getting up close with these cuties and watching a number of halter conformation classes as well as classes such as jumping and trail. Don’t miss out the “Miniature High Jump” contest which is always a popular spectacle.

The events will be officiated by renowned judge Wayne Hipsley from USA. All classes will have full commentary on placings so will also be an educational opportunity for all spectators and exhibitors.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

Western Dressage clinic:
Grand Pavilion, Thursday 20th November 4pm
Hailing from Florida, USA, Lynn Palm is a pioneer across the horse industry. Palm is regarded as one of the world’s leading clinicians, she is unmatched as an all-around trainer, showman and entrepreneur with a first-class reputation. Mrs Palm will deliver a specialist clinic on Western Dressage. A pioneer among women in the equine industry, Lynn Palm has long had a passion for teaching and is sure to entertain, educate and engage so don’t miss out on Thursday Western Dressage Clinic by booking your Thursday Day tickets or Super Ticket now.

Careers Forum
Classroom, Sunday 23rd November 11.30am
Equitana is pleased to present an inaugural careers forum. A first of its kind; this professionally facilitated forum will present industry insight into professional careers indirectly associated with the equine industry. From Auctioneering to Architecture, Law, Public Relations and Event Management to Creative Agency and everything in between; EQUITANA Melbourne will host industry leaders that have found the balance between working in an industry they love whilst developing academic and professional careers that allow development and diversification. It’s a little left of centre, and it’s sure to interest parents of children passionate about pursuing a career in the horse industry, year 12 graduates or just those considering a change in pathways.

Yvette Frahn- Artist conducting drawing & painting classes
Thursday, Classroom 4 – 4.45pm and Friday, Grand Hall Arena, 5 – 5.45pm
Yvette’s comprehensive understanding of equine anatomy allows her to see inside the horse, the muscularity and hardness of bones under the skin and the extraordinary play of light on a metallic sheen of a fine coat.
On Thursday at 4PM come and learn the elements to drawing a horse in this interactive session covering the process of drawing horses accurately, using a collection of analytical drawing techniques, followed by instruction in rendering using charcoal and pencil to create tonal 3D form, followed by a brief demonstration of colour techniques using pastel on paper.
On Friday join in the “Equine Anatomy Class” as Yvette draws a complete equine skeleton on one side of a dark horse while discussing with the group the importance of understanding how a horse is constructed. In real life form learn to look at bones, joints and how they articulate, the importance of structure for ideal conformation and seeing how the body holistically moves as the horse is lunged under lights.
In this special presentation Yvette will open your eyes to the world of combining art with horses, and how to look at the process with an artistic eye.

SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS:

EQUITANA are thrilled to host our most diverse education program yet for all young horse lovers. Learn from the most elite riders, meet mascots and participate in innovative and engaging programs designed for horse lovers as young as 4 years old.

HorseWyse Kids Interactive Fri 2 – 2.30pm in Gippsland Premium Quarries Arena and Sun 10.45 – 11.15 in Mitavite Arena
Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a barrel racer? Check your speed in our ‘stick horse’ barrel race and race against some of Australia’s fastest barrel racing legends! Have you ever wanted to have a go at vaulting? Why not try your ‘hoof’ at horse ball or test your tactics with some ‘horseshoe tossing’? Breyer Australia’s life size horse Palomine will also be on site in the Horsewyse Kids Interactive. All young horse lovers are invited!

Ready Set Trot Kids Interactive
Thu 5 – 5.45pm & Sat 2.30 – 3.15pm – Mitavite Arena
Leaning about horses just became a whole lot more fun thanks to the new junior program Ready Set Trot. As well as getting kids active and learning basic horse skills and safety, Ready Set Trot also makes it easy for young people to dip a hoof into the horse world as the program removes the need for a horse. With the help of some of Australia’s leading equestrian riders, this program will full of fun and exciting games! Mitavite Kids Equestrian Carnival Sat 2 – 2.30pm & Sun 10.15 – 10.45, Mitavite Arena Join Nicole tough, Clem Smith and Mitavite Ambassador Ian Francis as they present mini master-classes and shared their knowledge and experience with the audience. The Mitavite Super Heroes are a real hit and with each kid assigned to a Super Hero for the day there will be plenty of friendly rivalry between teams. Join the Xtra Cool Dude, Econotron, Munga Girl and Breeda Leader with special 30 minute show.

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