Equifest an equestrian extravaganza

The new equestrian showcase, at Hawkesbury Showground from March 30 to April 2, is based on the successful New Zealand Horse of the Year Show, run for the past 20 years.

It will feature competition for amateur and elite riders in showing, show jumping and dressage, as well as miniature horses and a brumby event.

Event director Kevin Hansen said the goal was to provide an equestrian sport for as many riders as possible at all levels of competition.

Some of the top riders from Australia and New Zealand are set to compete.

”We’ve got elite riders who will be in high profile areas, but we’ve also got outside arenas for anyone who wants to compete,” Mr Hansen said.

EquiFest’s huge prizemoney is a big drawcard, with $40,000 up for grabs in the Mitavite Sydney Open, a grand prix show jumping event.

Another $15,000 will be awarded to the winner of the EquiFest Grand Prix show jumping, which includes a test match between Australia and New Zealand.

A highlight of EquiFest will be the Saturday equine extravaganza, which includes performances from the NSW mounted police and the NSW police band, as well as the much-anticipated puissance wall jump.

The puissance will see riders attempt heights never before witnessed in Australia as they aim to break the Australian jumping record of 2.345 metres and win $70,000 in prizemoney.

“We’ve brought a brick wall from New Zealand which is 12m long and 2.33m high, so we’re looking forward to seeing if anyone can break the Australian record,” Mr Hansen said.

Event ambassadors include Australian Dressage National Champion Brett Parbery and newly-married World Cup show jumpers Jess Stalling and Rhys Stones.

EquiFest is home to the new Lady Rider Showjumping Championships, which will see the top 30 female riders in Australia tackle the 1.40m course in a two-round grand prix competition.

For the next crop of dressage champions, a young rider dressage masterclass will be run by some of Australia’s elite riders.

A feature of the dressage events will be a best of the best competition top riders will target a specific movement, including extended trot, piaffe, pirouette, passage and flying changes, and judged on the best movement.

Equifest also includes six-bar show jumping, an Arabian showcase; the miniature horse show Minifest; and the Australian National Saddlehorse Association Championships.