EQUITANA proudly presents the three-day, young horse “starting” contest that is unique in this country; The Way Of The Horse – Australian Horsemanship Challenge. 

During the challenge, three of Australia’s leading horse trainers demonstrate their highly personal and specialised methods of connecting with an unbroken horse.  

Although from diverse backgrounds and favouring different methods of training, these trainers all have one very important thing in common; they are united in their effort to change the “traditional” mindsets regarding starting and training a young horse.

In this electrifying horsemanship contest, the action begins right from the start. After choosing their young, unstarted horse from a selection trucked directly from the paddock to the venue, the three trainers work simultaneously in separate roundpens, giving the public a unique opportunity to compare starting methods and training styles. After developing the trust of their chosen youngster, each trainer then puts the horse through a series of tasks to demonstrate that their recently untouched horse is ready to become a willing member of a future riding partnership. Contestants are judged by a respected panel of Equestrians, who award individual points for techniques used to determine the winner.

The Way Of The Horse is Educational, Challenging and Entertaining; but most of all it is not to be missed!

LATEST NEWS:

Expression of Interest for 2012 The Way of The Horse challenge contestants in now available

The Way of The Horse Application

Previous Champions:

2011 Champion - Greg Powell (Contestants: Dan Malony, Davin Manchon)

2010 Champion - Adam Sutton (Contestants: Steve Halfpenny, Chad Brady)

2008 Champion - Dan James (Contestants: Warwick McLean, Shane Ransley)

2005 Champion - Guy McLean (Contestants: David Simons, Janette Wilson)

"THE WAY OF THE HORSE" 2011:

Held in Sydney Showground's Dome Pavilion and proudly presented by Hawkesbury River Saddlery Co “The Way Of The Horse” (TWOTH) once again proved to be an extremely popular event within EQUITANA Sydney with record crowds watching on all three days of the challenge.

The Way Of The Horse bought three of Australia’s most talented horsemen together with some beautiful young horses from the Coolidowns Australian Stock Horse Stud. All the three contestants, Greg Powell, Dan Malony and David Manchon, displayed admirable horsemenship skills and techniques which did not make it easy for our judges (Bobby Ingersoll, Stacy Westfall and Edward Gal) to select the eventual 2011 winner 

The Challenge was taken away by NSW local and crowd favourite, Greg Powell, whose calm and reassuring way of dealing with young horses leaves even the most hardened horse trainer breathless. Coolidowns Stock Horse Stud, that is run by Sue and Reg Ryan who have been breeding Australian stock horses for over forty years, generously donated the horse to Greg’s Kalandan Foundation.

Greg Powell walked away with especially engraged TWOTH buckle and OutLaw Master Fender Stock Saddle which was provided by the presenting partner Hawkesbury River Saddlery Co. Each contestant also received vouchers from RB Sellars, the official clothing outfitter of EQUITANA Australia. 

 The Way of The HorseDVD 2010 is available on DVD

EQUITANA Melbourne 2010 visitors saw the unbelievable training challenge of starting three young Australian Stock Horses in two days. Contestants Adam Sutton, Steve Halfpenny and Chad Brady delivered amazing performances and now you can watch all the action in the comfort of your home.  

To purchase your copy of this 2 disk set visit horserushtv.com