ABOUT EQUITANA MELBOURNE

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.

EQUITANA Asia Pacific in 2007 was cancelled due to the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia.

EQUITANA Asia Pacific held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre presented the largest indoor equine event yet - featuring Australia’s largest equine expo, educational sessions, entertainment and competitions.

Highlights of EQUITANA Asia Pacific 2005 included:

• 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 with 280 exhibitors

• Indoor Rodeo

• The inaugural Australian Horsemanship Challenge – “The  Way of the Horse”

• 37% Increase in exhibition sales

• Specialist clinics presented by international stars:  ANKY VAN GRUNSVEN (Dressage), CRAIG JOHNSTONE (Reining)  and DAVID & KAREN O’CONNOR (Eventing)

For four days and nights the Melbourne Exhibition Centre was again transformed into a horse lover’s heaven with horse breeds, sports, products and services all under one roof. Numerous educational sessions presented by educators from across the country and the globe, joined 170 Australian and 34 international exhibitors from 9 different countries.

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.

• US Equine Extremist TOMMIE TURVEY astounded audiences with his amazing skill and speed performing tricks and MARTINA HANNOVER the rising star of the Dressage world performed 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 HOY & BETINNA HOY 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 for four days of exhilarating competition, exhibition, entertainment, competition and education.

Highlights of EQUITANA Brisbane 2002 included:

• Over 3,000 people watched and cheered the excitement of the world’s first indoor cross country event featuring triple gold medalist MATT RYAN, Matt’s brother HEATH RYAN competed in both the dressage and eventing competitions.

• Triple Gold Medallist ANDREW HOY and his wife BETTINA HOY 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” and raised thousands of dollars through donations from people attending EQUITANA Brisbane.

Over 42,000 people attended the second EQUITANA Asia Pacific in 2001.  The Melbourne Exhibition Centre was again transformed into a multi-dimensional facility, featuring hundreds of horses over 4 days with 200 indoor stables, 4 purpose built arenas, exhibition booths and cafes. The National Equestrian Centre at Werribee was again featured a weekend of exciting competition prior to the four day event at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

Highlights of EQUITANA Asia Pacific 2001 included:

• The “Mane Event” which featured  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 medalist - ANKY VAN GRUNSVEN, and renowned natural horseman - PAT PARELLI, all presented specialist one-off clinics.

• Olympic Gold Medalists 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 the 1999 event) 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.

Launched in 1999 as EQUITANA Asia Pacific, the event was soon acknowledged as the premier equine festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and therefore was classified as a Hallmark Event for the state of Victoria, elevating it to the status of the Australian Tennis Open, The Australian Grand Prix and the International Comedy Festival.

The inaugural EQUITANA Asia Pacific utilised two venues - the National Equestrian Centre in Werribee, and the Melbourne Exhibition Centre which was transformed into a multi-dimensional facility with five demonstration arenas.