Congratulations to the finalists in the 2022 EQUITANA Melbourne Business Awards partnered with Show Pony Creative. These Innovation Awards are the only Equestrian Business awards in Australia that seek to support, promote and reward Equestrian Businesses for their innovation and advancements in the Australian market. After a four-year hiatus, we received our largest number of entries to date, with over 50 entries from exhibitors with exceptional products, many of these being launched at EQUITANA Melbourne.
The Innovation Awards this year are judged by a panel of three experienced esteemed Judges from Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Claire Williams is the Executive Director of the British Equestrian Trade Association, which heads up the BETA International Trade Fair and publishes the UK’s only trade magazine, Equestrian Trade News.
Lisa Sweeney is the Director of Business in Heels, an organisation working to empower women in business. She currently works with small business owners both service & product-based to become profitable and sustainable.
Our third Judge, Sarah Mckinlay has worked for New Zealand’s iconic equestrian publication, NZ Horse & Pony magazine since 2010 as their advertising manager. She is a horse owner herself with qualifications in business, marketing and communications.
Congratulations to the finalists in the RIDER INNOVATION Category.
fairRider Spurs submitted by Chaballo Equestrian on behalf of Herm. Sprenger Metallwarenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG. The Sprenger fairRider Spurs are an innovative dummy spur that can offer a solution for horses that are very sensitive and react adversely to the use of more conventional spurs.
ARRO Helmet submitted by ARRO Helmets Limited, New Zealand. The first helmets to offer facial protection, an integrated neck protection system and can be worn in at least 4 different modes.
Back on Track EQ3 Riding Helmet submitted by Back on Track Australia. The Back on Track EQ3 features MIPS which acts as an extra shell inside the helmet to rotate in all directions without affecting the head, which takes care of the rotational forces in the event of a fall from your horse.
Congratulations to the finalists in the HORSE INNOVATION Category.
Scoot Enduro submitted by Scoot Boot Pty Ltd. The Scoot Enduro is unique and superior to any other hoof boot on the market as it flexes with the horse’s movement and doesn’t impede its action in any way, allowing the horse to move freely and naturally.
Hairy Pony Plaiting Apron submitted by Hairy Pony Pty Ltd. The game-changing design has you covered for all aspects of plaiting & braiding, making show preparation easier, and a whole lot quicker.
Fort Worth Saddlery Breakfree Safety Oxbow Stirrups submitted by Fort Worth Saddlery. The Breakfree Safety Oxbow Stirrup is an innovative product designed with rider safety top of mind. The first-of-its-kind design features a quick-release hatch that automatically tips open in the event that a rider loses their seat.
Congratulations to the finalists in the TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION Category.
Complete Off-Grid Light and Power Solution submitted by Sonaray Australia. Sonaray and Red Earth energy can now offer a complete off-grid lighting and power system for any rural or equestrian facility of any size or location.
Shockcoat submitted by Duncan Equine Group Pty Ltd. Shockcoat is an electric coated wire using exclusive advanced molecular bonding technology which bonds all components of the wire together which means the wire cannot dangerously come apart.
AXLR8 Therapy Wraps submitted by AXLR8 Equine Therapeutics. AXLR8 Equine Therapeutics is a combination of blue, red & infrared LED lights, designed in breathable fabric wrap that can be applied to almost any area of the horse’s body.
Congratulations to the finalists in the VET / FEED INNOVATION Category.
Benchmark Perfect Mash submitted by Equibrands Pty Ltd. Highly palatable, Benchmark Perfect Mash™ is rich in natural antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes – and importantly, despite being a great conditioning feed, it is genuinely non-heating, making it a logical choice for many horse owners.
Bare Equine Beeswax Blue Balls submitted by Bare Equine Pty Ltd. Bare Equine Beeswax Blue Balls are an innovation for horses suffering hoof problems such as Seedy Toe and White line distortion or disease.
EquiMetaBalance submitted by Hi Form Australia Pty Ltd. This product is an all-natural unique formulation that has been designed with the insulin-resistant horse in mind. It is designed to assist horses with metabolic conditions such as diabetes, insulin resistance (IR), equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), obesity, and laminitis.
These finalists will present their products to the judging panel on Thursday 13th November 2022 in two sessions that are open to the public to watch and enjoy. The winners and runners-up will be presented Saturday night at the EQUITANA Business Awards presentation.
