EQUITANA 2012 Update

EQUITANA has so much to offer you this year. The Melbourne Showgrounds will be transformed into a Horse Lover's paradise with a packed program of breed displays, competition and unique presentations that can only be seen at EQUITANA. When you add the amazing line up of International Star Presenters, exciting evening programs and Sunday Entertainment showcase, EQUITANA offers the best value for money a horse lover could ever find!

The 2012 Education Program offers not only new and fascinating presentations by International guests, but lots of different forums and sessions by the best Australian Educators. The daily competition program offers a range of the most exciting contests, including lots of new ones specially developed for Melbourne.

The Exhibition will be the biggest and best yet, with over 300 businesses in the shopping precinct offering a huge range of new and innovative products and bargains, so visitors will have an even greater selection of shopping options.

Horsezone will be there at EQUITANA too! Be sure to visit us if you have a horse to advertise, are looking to buy a horse, or just to say 'hi'!

Here is some of the latest EQUITANA news...

 

"WAR HORSE" PREVIEWS AT EQUITANA MELBOURNE!

EQUITANA Australia is excited to announce that the stars of the amazing cast of performers and puppets of WAR HORSE will make an appearance at the Melbourne event this year. The National Theatre of Great Britain and Global Creatures are thrilled to be bringing War Horse to Australia and the production will have its Australian Premiere at the Arts Centre in December 2012.  At EQUITANA Melbourne, audiences will have the chance to see one of the main characters of the show, "Joey", the beloved horse of a boy called Albert.  In the War Horse stage production, Joey is sold to the cavalry at the outbreak of World War I and shipped to France. Joey is soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, though still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. Your preview at EQUITANA will make you want to see more of this phenomenal show.

 

OPENING DAY AT EQUITANA MELBOURNE NOT TO BE MISSED

Thursday 15th of November is a day that you should definitely take leave for. Indoors, you can get into that "country meets city" mood, as we present the EQUITANA Australian Open Cutting Championships, which provides an exciting showcase of Australia's elite cutting horses and riders. The championships will be followed by one of the most unique training experiences the country has seen, when Josh Lyons and Richard Winters, two of the USA's top trainers, join forces for the first time to present a two hour Behavioural clinic. The TuffRock Outdoor arena provides lots of beauty and action with the Show Horse and Rider Championships, a Horseball game with International players tearing up the turf to get the goal and the Arabian Horse Breeders Australasian Cup Finals, which features the finest Arabian horses in halter and ridden classes proceeded by the flamboyant costume classes! Then as the sun sets you can move back to the indoor arena to catch the Jumping Grand Final at its thrilling best, where eighteen of the country's top show jumpers attempt to lead the field over a challenging course against the clock, to take out the title.

 

CUTTING MASTERCLASS WITH RICHARD PREW

Don't miss out on an insightful lesson to the sport of cutting that will be delivered by Richard Prew during the Cutting Championships on Thursday morning. Richard has always loved competition and the adrenalin that goes with it. He began his career as a bull rider and then turned Campdrafting, before finding his true obsession in the sport of Cutting. Richard joined the NCHA in 1991 and started his successful career in non-pro with his great mare Miss Henry and went on to win the NCHA Non-Pro Derby in 1999. Miss Henry and Richard were inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame, one of Cutting's highest accolades, in 2002.
Richard is not only a successful competitor, he is also the chairman of judging with the NCHA and has been an AAA judge for over 10 years. He believes he has been fortunate to have mentors such as Todd Graham, Rodger Wagner, Donald Gunn and Phil Webb and that the knowledge acquired from this respected group of professionals plus the chance to ride horses such as Playboy Heffner and Gidgee Coals, has enabled him to achieve the success he has. Richard's experience and wealth of knowledge will make this a great Masterclass.

 

INTERACTIVE SESSIONS IN THE EQUITANA TRUCK & FLOAT ARENA

The exciting new Outdoor Truck & Float Arena, located between the Epsom Pavilion and the TuffRock Outdoor Competition Arena, will be home to a variety of interactive sessions this year. Over the four days you will be able to get involved in sessions that range from correctly fitting your horses tack; what to expect at a veterinary pre-purchase examination - from the buyers and sellers perspective; how to safely transport your horse; and purchasing your next equine athlete or friend. You can also "Try Your Hand at Polocrosse" in a horseless match of mini Polocrosse, learn how to crack a whip with Australia's top young whip cracker Luke Fritsch and fellow whip cracker Mason Hunter.  Melbourne based team "Planet K9", a dog training team that will display not only some great tricks, but show off their training skills in a range of agility, fly ball and obedience competitions will also entertain on the new arena.  And the HorseWyse team, together with Vaulting Australia, will present daily 'Kids Interactive' sessions. These sessions are open to kids (of all ages!) and will provide the opportunity to try the new Outdoor Truck & Float Arena fun activities.

Quick Link

• Visit the EQUITANA website for more information and to buy tickets