Feature: EQUITANA

FEATURE

EQUITANA back to its regular timeslot

COVID may have clipped the wings of the world for a bit, but EQUITANA Melbourne will be back for its 22nd year from 11-14 November 2021.

With the EQUITANA community at the heart of the decision, this iconic event, planned for July, was postponed due to the recent COVID outbreak in Melbourne. Managing Director Rod Lockwood says community safety is top priority: “For our fans and ticket buyers, EQUITANA Melbourne is a gathering place for community – making friends, and celebrating equestrian and shared passions. We desperately miss that, and when it's safe to come together in November we’ll appreciate it that much more. While we missed meeting in July, November will be an even bigger celebration of everything we love,” he adds.

With the very apt tagline ‘Celebrating the Spirit of the Australian Equestrian’, the event will return with all its usual style. The all-Australian line up will feature the likes of Guy McLean and Brett Parbery

Fast and furious Barrel Racing is always a huge drawcard at EQUITANA.

taking to the stage to share their knowledge and delight the audience across the four-day showcase.

EQUITANA will once again present an event that has a little something for everyone, celebrating all aspects of the Australian equine community. “We’ve got nine featured presenters across all disciplines,” says Rod, “from Western to English in both competition and education, and with feature days for jumping, dressage, reining, exhibition eventing, and for the first time ever, liberty.”

True to form, EQUITANA is introducing some fantastic new events to the card. First up is the inaugural Liberty Championship, which while similar to the much loved The Way of the Horse (TWOTH), takes things to the next level. Liberty showcases a connection between horse and trainer that only comes after hundreds of hours of work and play together. It’s an incredibly intimate thing to witness such trust, communication and connection, which inspires everyone – with or without a horse! Trainers can enter a single horse or a team in a creative liberty performance designed to impress the public and the judges.

One of the most anticipated events at EQUITANA is always TWOTH and this year it’s state versus state. Over four days three talented horsemen and women will take an unhandled horse from wild to willing, after spending just an hour a day with them. EQUITANA created this awe-inspiring event in 2005 and every year, it delivers. Spectators are drawn into the round pens with the handlers as they work their magic towards the allimportant final day presentation.

All of the old favourites will be returning in 2021: educator sessions from some of the best in the land, an entertainment schedule chock full of goodies and of course, all the shopping your heart could desire.

Rod says with so much going on, attending the event for just a single day is never going to be enough. “We always look to introduce innovation and new elements to EQUITANA so it continues to evolve – and this year brings so many exciting new things to the event as well as crowd favourites. I can’t wait for the state of origin TWOTH. Despite border closures to international talent, the value to ticketholders has only increased and we think EQUITANA fans will agree. The value for money package and shopping on offer will only add to your wish list – it’s another great reason to come to Melbourne and experience the biggest celebration of everything horse-related in Australia.”

For a full statement on the July postponement or to keep your finger on the pulse with all the latest announcements for the 11-14th November event, Rod suggests that you head to the EQUITANA website. “My team and I are really excited to deliver another stellar event to the equine community,” he adds, “so see you all there!”

WHAT: EQUITANA Melbourne 2021

WHERE: Melbourne Showgrounds

WHEN: November 11-14, 2021

MORE INFO: www.equitana.com.au