EQUITANA Opens With Aplomb- Day Two Highlights

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

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Press Release 20/11/2014
Day Two of EQUITANA went off smoothly. The well attended day saw a diverse program with everything from the pretty Show Ponies to Barrel Racing to the exciting Obstathon.

Breed village

Breed village
Photo Credits: Stephen Mowbray Photography.

Meanwhile in the Kelato Breed Village Fjords from Norway, Viking horses; the Icelandic Ponies and Peruvian Paso’s were just a sample of some of the exotic breeds showcased at EQUITANA. A great chance to learn about these incredible creatures, crowds were treated to demonstrations of the Tolt and Paso Llano in the gaited horse demonstrations.

Heath RyanPhoto Credits: Stephen Mowbray Photography.

Heath Ryan
Photo Credits: Stephen Mowbray Photography.

In a strong and challenging first round it was three time winner Heath Ryan who took out an early lead to hotly contest for his fourth EGF title on a score of 67.66%. Not trailing behind is Sue Hearn with Remmington on 67.44% in second and Mary Hanna and Umbro on 67.40% in third.

A select group of elite showhorse competitors were judged in a new event. After a top ten were selected , each combination was judged on Performance, Paces and Suitability, Showmanship and Presentation for a total of 90 points. Judges included Leigh Taylor from NZ, Charlotte Dujardin from the UK and Clint Bilson from Victoria. It was DP Destiny who took top honours on a score of 78.

Rose McEvoy

Rose McEvoy
Photo Credits: Stephen Mowbray Photography.

The turnout class is an elite and classic show horse class. Judged on criteria which covers Riding Ability, Conformation, Manners and Paces, Appearance, Saddlery and Costume, for a total of 200 possible points. It was Rose McEvoy aboard the spectacular Towering Inferno that took top position with the highest riding points (48/50) that were allocated to her by Charlotte Dujardin from the UK.

It’s a nail biting, thrilling and fast paced gallop around a clover leaf track that has whooping spectators at the edge of their seat. The hotly contested championship is one for the girls and it was Bianca Hertel on Cash in a lightning fast time of 15.612 seconds who took home $3675 prize money, Second was a butterflies eyelash later at 15.962 seconds was Adele Edwards on Moon Roc.

Team Driving

Team Driving
Photo Credits: Stephen Mowbray Photography.

International pony four in hand champion Bram Chardon from the Nederlands was a star today, not only did he compete in the Obstathon and the TRM Jump and Drive Challenge but he presented a terrific masterclass to select drivers. Applying training principles akin to riding and dressage including softness and suppleness and the importance of being over the back he proved that equestrianism is not limited to just riding astride.

Tonight EQUITANA hosted the accoladed CSI-W World Cup Showjumping Finals. In a nail biting jump off it was up and coming young rider Jess Brown on her imported Casco who produced a smooth and stylish double clear with just one time penalty take the win, with veteran and three time Olympian Vicki Roycroft in a four fault second place. Jess takes home over $5700 for her win.

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