EQUITANA Day 3 Wrap Up

Published on Saturday, November 22, 2014 in 2014 Equitana by HORSE FIRST

Horsezone's EQUITANA news is brought to you by HORSE FIRST - supplements made by horse people, for horse people! Check out HORSE FIRST supplements at the Horse and Hound stand #429 in the Epsom Pavilion at EQUITANA.

Arabian Costume Class (photo: Stephen Mowbray)

Connemara Pony in the Breed Display

Flexible Fit bridles

The Charlotte Dujardin and Judy Harvey Dressage Clinic

Stand Out Stand - Pryde's Easifeeds

Petrie boots in the Anky stand

Sport Horse Racing

By: Jo Johnson/Horsezone

With day three done and dusted, there is only one day left of EQUITANA 2014! By now we're all in full on EQUITANA mode and all everyone cares about is 'When and where is the next display/competition/clinic I want to see and have I done all the retail therapy I possibly can yet?' The concerns of the real world are not problems for those of us immersed in the land of EQUITANA!

If you haven't visited the HORSEZONE stand #489 in the Epsom Pavilion yet, be sure to come and see us tomorrow for your chance to WIN in our competition! HORSEZONE and HORSE FIRST are offering you the chance to win fabulous prizes including two nights 6 star accommodation at Crown Metropol in Melbourne, a VIP tour of the Living Legends farm with behind the scenes access, HORSEZONE merchandise, HORSE FIRST supplements and other great prizes!

Some general highlights from today include:

Stand out Stand - Pryde's EasiFeeds #462 in the Epsom Pavilion

The Pryde's EasiFeeds stand is an extremely popular place to be at EQUITANA with free samples of their range of feed, diet analysis expert Nerida Richards, the $20 Special Deal and visits from their sponsored riders including Brett Parbery, Heath Ryan, Jeremy Janjic, Will Enzinger, Emily Anker and Jo Formosa. Be sure to call in tomorrow and get your free samples but be quick as supplies are running low after so many visitors!

Essential Retail Therapy Experience - Flexible Fit #238 in the Grand Hall

We love the Flexible Fit range of bridles! The Flexi-Fit Ordering System was designed to give the customer the ability to custom build their own bridle in any size combination from our wide selection of browband and noseband styles. The unique Flexi-Fit Gel bridle incorporates a specially formulated padding designed to maximise the ultimate comfort of the horse. It is able to be cooled in the refrigerator to assist in the regulation of the horse’s temperature around their pressure points.

Coveted Item of the Day - Petrie Boots in the Anky stand #467 in the Epsom Pavilion

There are many gorgeous items in the Anky stand, however, the Petrie range of boots is our ultimate covetable item for today! So beautiful!

Horsezone Highlight

Having the Double Dans doing their 'Applying the Art of Horsemanship for Effective Results' in the Gippsland Premium Quarries arena right near our stand, watching the Charlotte Dujardin and Judy Harvey Clinic and meeting yet more fans of our site!

Equipe Dressage Clinic with Charlotte Dujardin and Judy Harvey

Grand prix dressage rider, Kerry Mack, who ttended the Clinic with a big crowd of other dressage fans has written a fantastic report - READ IT HERE

Arabian Showcase Australasian Breeders Cup & Costume Parade

The stunning Arabians strutted their stuff in the outdoor arena this morning and their amazing good looks and extravagant movement were truly breathaking. VIEW PHOTOS HERE

Breed Displays

The Breed Displays in the John Deere Pavilion are an excellent opportunity for people to view the various breeds in action - breeds featured today included Peruvian, Waler, Connemara, Haflinger, Icelandic Horses and Morgan.

Michelle O'Neill Be Ready For Your First Horse

Michelle was once a horse mad kid dreaming about her first ony. If you are looking to buy your first horse for yourself or you child or are getting back into horses after a long break, firstly you need to prepare yourself to make sure you are ready for a horse. You can't keep a pony in the back yard so firstly you need to make sure you have a place for a horse. You also need to make sure you are ready for the day in day out commitment of time and money that comes with horse ownership.

Michelle recommends going to a riding school, one where you can do the grooming and saddling of the horse as well as the riding. If you are still keen after that and have the opportunity, leasing an educated, school master type horse is an excellent option before buying too. On the topic of leasing if you've got a really nice educated horse that you're not using, consider leasing him to a good home who will use him and get benefit from your lovely horse. When choosing a horse don't be fooled by pretty - you don't necessarily need a pretty horse for your first horse you need one that's suitable for beginners and is going to keep you safe. You need to find a horse who is educated with a great temperament and going to do everything you want to do and be your best friend. You need a real connection with your horse. You do not need a young horse or one that isn't educated. The days of buying a $300 kids pony are gone. These days they cost a lot more than this and it really is a case of you get what you pay for. Get on Horsezone and have a look and you should be able to find one for reasonable money that is going to be compatible and keep you safe. The right horse will minimise the chance of accidents happening. You need to be prepared to spend a little bit of money because the buying price for a horse is just the start of your financial commitment when owning a horse.

When you go to look at a horse to buy take someone with you - an experienced horse person - and do not take the float! Do take your own saddle and bridle. If the owner won't ride the horse for you leave immediately! Even if you love the horse and it seems right for you, do not buy it right away. Take time to really think about and make sure it is 'the one'. Go and ride it several times if the owner is happy with this until you are completely sure.

Sport Horse Racing

The crowd pleasing sport horse racing provided plenty of action! VIEW PHOTOS HERE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EQUITANA TEAM

Day Three of EQUITANA showcased a truly diverse program. From Dressage Clinics to Sport Horse Racing

to the Couple's Challenge the day highlighted the true diversity of the horse The Education Program held a broad array of sessions. Kicking off the program was the highly anticipated EQUIPE Dressage Clinic with World Champion Dressage Rider Charlotte Dujardin and Judy Harvey, her former coach, all the way from the UK. The much anticipated and sold out EQUIPE Dressage Clinic these international Dressage stars delivered just what the audience wanted; functional, applicable and understandable solutions for effective training. From a young horse to a Grand Prix schoolmaster, the principles of forwardness, responsiveness to the aids and straightness were emphasized across all levels.

There laughs at the antic of the Couples Challenge. The elite of each discipline embarked on today’s

inaugural entertainment, a series of challenges that a ‘couple’ might have to undertake when taking a horse to an event. These activities included driving a float, then reversing it blindfolded, carrying a water bucket and a baby to a straw bale change table, then changing a nappy, apple bobbing, followed an obstacle course with a Shetland. Show Horse successes Daryl Hayes and Katrina Kearns came in first, popular Eventers Emily Anker and Will Enzinger came in second, EQUITANA Ambassador, Endurance rider and Model Rebecca Stoneman and her husband Daniel Stoneman were competitive at third, Showjumpers Tim & Ingrid Clarke worked well as a team for fourth and Ken & 'Cathy' Faulkner (a certain Dave Russel in disguise) finished fifth.

The action didn’t slow as the flavor of Australia came alive with the Stock Horse State of Origin. The well

attended event, this saw a team of two riders from each state converge on EQUITANA to complete a

challenging rustic work course. With barrels, logs, jumps and gates, the course showcased the breeds ability and trainability. The winners were Victoria- with the team encompassed of Matt Holz on River Dance and Arron Todd on Todds Kassondra.

The action did stop there with the Arabian Alliance Breeders Cup and MiniTana offering plenty of eye candy

to spectators. From Miniature Horses in classes including Small Horse and Miniature Horse Obstacles,

Conformation Classes, Six Bar Jumping Classes, Fault and Out Classes and Best Movement Classes to the

prestige of the acclaimed Arabian Youngstock accolades the breeds demonstrated that breeds really are

purpose bred and traits are produced for the usability of the horses intended vocation.

The competition concluded with the jewel in the crown- the Equestrian Grand Final Dressage Freestyle.

Hotly contested by Australia’s leading riders the finalists put on a show for the crowd, challenging their

horses for the best marks. In the end it was the darling of the crowd- and ever the showman Heath Ryan; now four time reigning champion on the charming stallion Regardez Moi with a score of 71.825%. This was in the lead of the delightful combination of Sue Hearn on Remmington with a score of 70.725% for second, and young rider and Grand Prix newcomer Katharine Farrell who is doing so well showing great potential with her imported Luxor 118 who injected youth into the experience finalist line up take the third rosette home on a score of 70.125%.

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