Since 1999, EQUITANA has presented a comprehensive and dynamic program featuring world class Competition, a major Exhibition, a diverse Education program and spectacular equine Entertainment.
| Equitana Asia Pacific 2005 |
EQUITANA Asia Pacific (EAP) transformed the Melbourne Exhibition Centre into a horse lover’s paradise, featuring an equine expo, educational sessions, entertainment and competitions. EAP proudly boasts cattle, bulls, over 1,000 horses, over 250 exhibitors, Olympic gold medallists, world-renowned educators and equine performers all under one roof.
From its inaugural launch in 1999 EAP continues to be Australia’s most comprehensive and dynamic equine event attracting in excess of 50,000 visitors per event with a amazing 40.5% of attendees coming from outside Victoria.
The EAP 2005 program was highlighted by:
- 10 different horse competitions, offering one of the largest prize pools in Australia
- Over 150 educational presentations by Australian and international experts
- 4 days of exhibition
- Indoor Rodeo
- The Way of the Horse
- 37% Increase in exhibition sales
EAP continues to bring the entire equine community together in an event that represents all sectors of the industry making Melbourne a ‘must be’ place on the national and international equine calendar in November for the equine industry. We are proud that EAP continues to deliver for stakeholders and participants, which is evidenced through the business success for exhibitors, the experience of attendees and the promotional value for events stakeholders and the promotion of their brand.
| 2004 Victorian Tourism Award - Major Festivals and Events |
Equitana Asia Pacific won the 2004 Victorian Tourism Award for the Major Festivals & Events Category. The annual Victorian Tourism Awards showcase Victoria's finest tourism operators and individuals who have distinguished themselves as providers of the pinnacle in service, standards and innovation. Winning an award is the industry's highest accolade and the recipients represent "excellence" in Victoria’s tourism industry.
| Equitana Asia Pacific 2003 |
For four days and nights MEC was again transformed into a horse lover’s heaven with horse breeds, sports, products and services all under one roof. Over 200 back-to-back educational sessions by educators from across the country and the globe, joined 170 Australian and 34 international exhibitors from 9 countries. Equitana was pleased to host for the first time 3 international pavilions from the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.
In a number of spectacular firsts for EQUITANA, the event opened with the Indoor Polo Skins Tournament. The traditional game of polo was taken out of the country and brought right into the heart of the city. Other competitions included World Cup Qualifiers for Dressage and Showjumping, Cutting Series Grand Final, Barrel Racing and Reining. EQUITANA closed with the excitement and exhilaration of Melbourne’s first ever, Indoor Cross Country event.
Other highlights of EQUITANA Asia Pacific 2003 included:
- The MANE EVENT played to a capacity audience of over 18,500 across four shows, featuring many outstanding performances from local and international performers including, US Equine Extremist TOMMIE TURVEY who astounded audiences with his amazing skill and speed performing tricks and MARTINA HANNOVER the rising star of the Dressage world performing an immaculate Kur
- World No. 1 Dressage Champion NADINE CAPELLMANN held her first ever Australian dressage clinic
- Over 3,000 people watched the excitement of Melbourne’s first Indoor Cross Country, commentated by triple gold medallist ANDREW HOY whose wife
- BETTINA HOY competed alongside Eventing triple gold medallist MATT RYAN and WENDY SCHAEFFER
- Andrew & Bettina conducted Master Classes as part of the education program
- 2,700 people attended EQUITANA’s first Dressage Competition & Evening Spectacular
EQUITANA Brisbane kicked off at the RNA Showgrounds with two days of Campdrafting and pony club competition before moving to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) for four days of exhilarating competition, exhibition, entertainment, competition and education.
The BCEC was transformed into a world of horses, with 130 on site stables, three demonstration arenas, warm up arena, competition arena and the Mane Arena.
People attending EQUITANA witnessed the excitement and exhilaration of the world’s first-ever indoor cross country event, the beauty and spectacle of the MANE EVENT, gathered tips from some of the best Australian and international equestrian athletes and trainers, and shopped till they dropped at the stalls of over 150 exhibitors.
Highlights of EQUITANA Brisbane included:
- Over 3,000 people watched and cheered the excitement of the world’s first indoor Cross Country event featuring triple gold medallist MATT RYAN
HEATH RYAN competed in both the Dressage and Eventing competitions
- Triple Gold Medallist ANDREW HOY and his wife BETTINA conducted Master Classes as part of the education program
- American stunt rider TAD GRIFFITH astounded MANE EVENT audiences with his amazing skill and speed, performing trick and Roman Riding
- World No. 1 Dressage Champion ULLA SALZGEBER’S first ever Australian dressage clinic was attended by over 1500 people
- In his only Australian clinic for 2002 internationally acclaimed horseman MONTY ROBERTS shared his knowledge of non-violent approach to horse training and astounded his audience with his skills
- Renowned natural horsemanship trainer PAT PARELLI helped the Bush Church Drought Relief Fund raise thousands of dollars through donations from people attending EQUITANA
| Equitana Asia Pacific 2001 |
From across the country and around the world, over 42,000 people visited the second EQUITANA Asia Pacific, the largest non-racing equine event in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Melbourne Exhibition Centre (MEC) was again transformed into a multi-dimensional facility, housing more than 1,000 horses over 4 days with 200 indoor stables, 4 purpose built arenas, Exhibition and cafes.
The National Equestrian Centre at Werribee featured a weekend of exciting competition prior to the four days at the MEC. In addition to a grass-roots program, a Masters series of competition was held, including the World Short Course Eventing Championships and World Indoor Campdraft Championships.
Highlights of EQUITANA Asia Pacific 2001 included:
- The Mane Event featured which over 50 horses and riders, including Dressage Equestrian of the Century ANKY VAN GRUNSVEN, Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony Rearing Stockman STEVE JEFFERYS and Australian country music legend LEE KERNAGHAN.
- America’s most trusted horse trainer - JOHN LYONS, Sydney Olympic Dressage Gold Medallist - ANKY VAN GRUNSVEN, and renowned natural horseman - PAT PARELLI, all presented specialist one-off clinics.
- Olympic Gold Medallists including ANDREW HOY, GILLIAN ROLTON and JULIE HIGGINS were on hand to share their secrets for success in competition.
- 11 interactive panels were created to highlight and debate areas of special interest within the equine industry.
- A 50% increase in exhibition space (compared to EAP 1999) created a complete equine shopping frenzy.
- The largest Australian gathering of equine sports, showcasing Australian and international riders competing for $250,000 in cash and prizes across 17 different competitions, with a total of over 800 competitors.
| Equitana Asia Pacific 1999 |
The inaugural EQUITANA Asia Pacific (EAP) was acknowledged as the premier equine festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and was classified as a Hallmark Event, elevating it to the status of the Australian Tennis Open, The Australian Grand Prix and the International Comedy Festival.
With over 200 exhibitors, 300 education sessions, 597 competitors, 105 performers and over 1000 horses, EAP proved to the critics that it was the largest and most comprehensive horse event to be ever held in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting over 40,000 visitors.
EAP showcased the excellent facilities available at the National Equestrian Centre in Werribee, and transformed the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (MEC) into a multi-dimensional facility with five arenas - including the specially constructed 5,000 seat arena. The event offered four days of exhibition, education, entertainment and seven days of international level competition at Werribee and the MEC.
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Equitana 
/equitana/images/stories/history/vic_tourism_award.jpg "2004 Victorian Tourism Awards")
