After the unfortunate cancellation of EQUITANA Asia Pacific in 2007 due to equine Influenza, over 52,000 loyal patrons attended the 2008 event at the Melbourne Showgrounds . Over 45.4% of all attendees travelled to EQUITANA from interstate, and 5.9% from overseas, smashing all previous records for attendance, commercial sales and economic impact for the State.

The Melbourne Showgrounds, the new home of EQUITANA Asia Pacific has received nothing but positive feedback. From the stunning Grand Pavilion that was transformed into a 4,500 seat equine theatre, to the world class competition, exhibition and educational facilities.

Highlights of EQUITANA Asia Pacific 2008 included:

• 4 days of exhibition with 34% increase in exhibition sales

• 200 educational presentations by Australian and international experts

• Over 300 exhibitors

• 16 different horse competitions, offering one of the largest prize pools in Australia

• 3 nights of entertainment

• Crowds favourite The Way of the Horse – The Australian Horsemanship Challenge

• Breeders Village & Displays

• Specialist clinics presented by Danish Dressage Champion ANDREAS HELGSTRAND, horsemanship specialist PAT & LINDA PARELLI and Australia’s favourite natural horseman, GUY MCLEAN

• New All Star clinic with a cast of elite riders & trainers: BRETT PARBERY (Dressage) and CLAYTON FREDERICKS (Eventing), CHRIS CHUGG (Show Jumping), WARWICK SCHILLER (Reining), SAM GARDINER (Polo), ALAN HANNAFORD (Campdrafting) and genius Australian horseman GUY MCLEAN.