THE country’s biggest equine showcase, Equitana, will move to New Zealand in 2017 following three days of action-packed competition at Melbourne last month.
The event featured hundreds of riders and horses, with participation from all Australian states. Among the disciplines on show were mountain games, dressage, miniature horses classes, carriage driving, show jumping, reining, cutting and barrel racing.
Equitana also featured challenges, including the Australian Stock Horse challenge, won by Victorian Aaron Todd, on Todds Billie, and the extreme cowboy challenges, won by Victoria’s Daryl Crowe on Killara Cobber and Queenslander Naomi Abdilla on Playgirls Dunit.
A highlight of the event was the performance from five-time Olympian Mary Hanna, who rode her two grand prix horses, Sancette and Umbro, to take first and second place in the Equitana world cup freestyle.
Equitana Auckland will be held from November 23 to 26 next year.
