Three and a half days of wonderful dressage awaits when the Bates Australian Dressage Championships return to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre from 27 to 30 October 2011.
The Australian titles will feature talented horses and riders from across Australia competing in dressage tests from Novice through to FEI Grand Prix (International Level).
39 Grand Prix horses will take part in the Grand Prix competitions making this the highest number of Grand Prix horses to compete at an event in Australia! This event is also a Regional Dressage Team Qualifier for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Left - Sara McDonald on her outstanding mare Adlanta Rose by Rotspon from Adloo Georgia.
Highlights
Friday, 28 October is Grand Prix day, on Saturday, 29 October features the Prix St Georges Challenge Final and Freestyle to Music competitions in the Indoor. The Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle to Music is the highlight of the evening programme, and Sunday, 30 October features Novice, Advanced, Intermediate I and the Grand Prix Special competitions. A very full programme!
Competitions are held both indoors and outdoors each day. A covered seating stand provides shade and shelter while watching competitions in the main outdoor Olympic arena.
Over 30 businesses will exhibit a wide range of products and services in the Shopping Village.
Daily admission:
Thursday: Free entry; Friday: $15; Saturday: $25; Sunday: $15 pp.
Children under 12 free entry except for Saturday when admission is $15.
Tickets will be available at the entrance daily or you can you can reserve seats by booking on line from the web site.
General enquiries:
Tel: Toni Venhaus on 0418 686 781 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information visit www.dressagensw.com.au/nationals
Here are some of the stars of the show.
Maree Tomkinson and the 2010 EA PSG Challenge Winner
Diamantina
Rozzie Ryan on Olivia Bunn's former 3 Star Eventer GV Bullwinkle
Megan Bryant on the beautiful mare Donnaballa
Kate Taylor-Wheat and Mr Personality - Oscar B
Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi (Fabia) sharpening up for London 2012
Kate Taylor-Wheat and the 'drop dead' gorgeous World Star
RICHARD WEIS is a leading authority on the influence of the rider on the horse. His students learn balance and to sit well. They learn to move with the horse in such a way as to direct the horse in all elements of coordination; rhythm, bend, impulsion, collection, in the shapes of lateral exercises and changes etc In short, the focus is on DRESSAGE riding TECHNIQUE.
Richard has presented on this enormous subject in lecture /demonstrations and instructor training clinics for the German, Dutch, Australian and New Zealand Equestrian Federations. He presented at the prestigious '03 Global Dressage Forum in Holland, and was Technical Advisor to the judges at the first National Finals of the 'Sit Competition' for the Dutch Association of Riding Schools.
I
n clinics around the world he works with a full range of students, from beginner riders of all ages to Olympians (from five countries) and Paralympians. He has conducted train the trainer clinics at places like the DOKR (German Olympic Training Centre) and the German Riding School where professionals are examined. Much needed clinics for judges are just around the corner.
Richards articles and articles about his work have been published extensively in many of the leading Equestrian Magazines- St Georg (Germany), The Horse Magazine & Hoofbeats (Australia), Ridehesten (Denmark), Bit (Belgium), British Dressage (UK), Dressage Today (USA), Johbe Life (Japan), Hoofschlag (Netherlands) and many more. Go to Richard’s web site for more information
Richards talks about his EQITANA 'baby' The All Star Spectacular ..... brings a number of equiestrian disciplines together - ALL UNDER THE ONE UMBELLA! (as pictured above) The event was sponsored by SADDLE UP ifrom Victoria and the UK Saddle Company ALBION SADDLEMAKERS.
Richard talks about the development of one of the most popular segments of EQUITANA Australia, here is his story.
Running the All Star Clinic in 2008 & the All Star Showcase in 2010 has been an absolute career highlight for me. Many Equitana’s ago I tried to get an interdisciplinary ‘centring technique’ up and running with the best riders from as many disciplines as possible. The Equitana management weren’t even fazed by the title ‘Surviving the Warm Up Arena from Hell’. I did it with around ten FEI dressage riders in Berlin a few years back and have been busting to do an interdisciplinary version with top riders here. Sicca van Schaardenburg and Marketa Mensikova approached me to expand the concept to a full night program. Yahoo!
Once the Stars were selected they sent video footage, which I watched with great enthusiasm. This year Ian Francis sent eight DVDs. I didn’t intend to watch more than an hour or so; just enough to get a picture of the man and his work. Once I started I couldn’t stop. So much of what he was doing had important implications for my work. Reining and dressage have a lot to learn from each other.
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After I’d watched the video footage I did a phone interview with each Star, constantly looking for similarities and points of difference. Each discipline has developed a language as rich as it’s dress code. Look past that and universal themes come out. They all start telling me things like ‘it’s all about balance, timing and feel’. ‘The horses tell you what they need’. ‘Find a horse that likes to do it.’ Steffen Peters has three rules. ‘Suppleness, suppleness, and suppleness!’ Everyone agreed suppleness in the horse is a major requirement in any discipline. They also talked about what it takes to stay at the top.
It hasn’t been hard getting the Stars to the big top arena busting to share their insights with each other and with the audience. They’ve all loved the concept and have thrown themselves into it boots and all. One friend described the enthusiasm as being ‘like a group of very good musicians jamming’.
For me it has been incredibly good fun, I’ve learned a heap, and I am humbled to see such open communication, delight in learning, and open hearted respect and willingness from the two batches of Stars. Thanks a million troops!
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All that and we haven’t even got to the ‘Surviving the Warm up Arena from Hell’ exercise yet. Maybe next time?
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Equitana and Definitive Events who run it. Personally my life with horses has been enriched enormously through exposure to the wonderful horses, trainers, and ideas. I’ve made a lot of friends from many different disciplines. People I wouldn’t normally bump into. I joke that running the All Star Showcase was like being the Chairperson of the Horse Worlds United Nations. In reality, Equitana is pivotal in bringing understanding, cohesion and camaraderie to the industry. Thank you, Definitive Events, from all of us!
and ... I hear some people go to Equitana to shop!!!!!!!
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Here is a Slide Show of highlights from the 2010 ALL STAR SPECTACULAR
By Popular demand EQUITANA will present it's inaugural SYDNEY event in 2011
go to the web site for trade, entertainment and competition details.
EQUITANA MERCHANDISEMake sure that you don't leave without purchasing some EQUITANA merchandise. On offer will be a limited edition of branded caps and an official event poster, including beautiful limited edition poster by EQUITANA Melbourne Poster Art Winner Michael Wilkin.
Stop by the RACV EQUITANA Information Tent located under the "Pie in the Sky" landmark and check it out. Take home a memory of your trip to EQUITANA Melbourne 2010!
Make sure that you don't leave without purchasing some EQUITANA merchandise. On offer will be a limited edition of branded caps and an official event poster, including beautiful limited edition poster by EQUITANA Melbourne Poster Art Winner Michael Wilkin.
Stop by the RACV EQUITANA Information Tent located under the "Pie in the Sky" landmark and check it out. Take home a memory of your trip to EQUITANA Melbourne 2010!
COMPETITION ENTRIES
Now you can have a sneak peak at the acceptance lists for various competitions. The names are in and the final draws will be available soon.
From the Grand Prix Dressage to the Campdrafting Championships, come and see your favorite riders compete for the coveted EQUITANA Melbourne titles! With huge prize pools, trophies and ribbons galore, the competition will be hot!
For a hard copy of the competition draws on the day of the competition visit the RACV EQUITANA Information Tent. For those who cannot view the competition live, the results will be available on the website.
This link will take you to a schedule shows all competitions.
The information on the web site is easy to follow. As soon as results or starting orders are available there will be several buttons on the right side of each competition. Currently running competitions are marked as "LIVE".
Mary Hanna will be riding her sensational new import Sancette.
He came from Steffen Peter's barn in the USA, so Steffen will be very pleased to see him!
Remember the General Admission ticket gets you in to many of the competitions and demonstrations and also includes free travel on metropolitan public transport.
Keep in mind, one day is never enough! There is so much to see and do with a new program every day. If you have not bought your tickets already, plan it now and make the most of your EQUITANA experience.
METLINK JOURNEY PLANNER
With a direct route to the Melbourne Showgrounds station, the train is the most convenience way to get to and from the event.
TRAINS to the Showgrounds Station take approximately 15 minutes; departing from Flinders Street Station stopping at Southern Cross Station and North Melbourne Station. The daily train service commences at 8.40am from Flinders Street Station and runs every twenty minutes.
TRAM number 57 runs from the corner of Flinders Street and Elizabeth Street, Melbourne City to the front of the Melbourne Showgrounds along Epsom Road (Stop 23).
The best part about metropolitan public transport is that it is FREE with your EQUITANA Melbourne ticket! If you do not have an EQUITANA ticket you can travel on this service but you will have to purchase a train ticket: “zone 1, “2 hours” for one way journey.
For those who will be travelling by car, there is ample parking available at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Entry is via Gate 7 off Langs Road (Ascot Vale). The parking fee is $15 a day.
Whichever way you get to EQUITANA Melbourne make sure it is in time to see everything there is to offer.
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Go to the EQUITANA web site for further Information.
See you at EQUITANA ... Hooray!
EQUITANA Melbourne 18-21 Nov, 2010 has arrived! After months of planning and preparations, the final touches are being put on the event precinct! With pavilions full of shopping, a daily non-stop program of educational sessions and endless competition, this is sure to be the most unique equine event in the Southern Hemisphere!
Daily General Admission (GA) tickets will be available for purchase at the gate, so there is no reason not to come down and take part in the excitement!
With over 10 hours of exciting Competition, Education, Exhibition and Shopping every day - the GA ticket offers fantastic value for money access to EQUITANA Melbourne!
1 day at EQUITANA Melbourne - events included in General Admission:
• Over 50 education sessions including star presenters Steffen Peters, William Fox-Pitt and Ian Francis.
• Exciting competition
• Shopping paradise - shop at 300 exhibition stalls
• The Way of The Horse
• Breed parades & displays
• Eventing Masterclass with William Fox-Pitt (Thursday)
• Special appearance - Philippe Karl (Saturday & Sunday)
Remember the General Admission ticket also includes
free travel on metropolitan public transport.
Keep in mind, one day is never enough! There is so much to see and do with a new program every day. If you have not bought your tickets already, plan it now and make the most of your EQUITANA experience.
METLINK JOURNEY PLANNER
With a direct route to the Melbourne Showgrounds station, the train is the most convenience way to get to and from the event.
TRAINS to the Showgrounds Station take approximately 15 minutes; departing from Flinders Street Station stopping at Southern Cross Station and North Melbourne Station. The daily train service commences at 8.40am from Flinders Street Station and runs every twenty minutes.
TRAM number 57 runs from the corner of Flinders Street and Elizabeth Street, Melbourne City to the front of the Melbourne Showgrounds along Epsom Road (Stop 23).
The best part about metropolitan public transport is that it is FREE with your EQUITANA Melbourne ticket! If you do not have an EQUITANA ticket you can travel on this service but you will have to purchase a train ticket: “zone 1, “2 hours” for one way journey.
For those who will be travelling by car, there is ample parking available at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Entry is via Gate 7 off Langs Road (Ascot Vale). The parking fee is $15 a day.
Whichever way you get to EQUITANA Melbourne make sure it is in time to see everything there is to offer.
Go to the web site for further information.
EQUITANA Melbourne is the most anticipated equine event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the equestrian sports fair is always a good place to stage excellent products. This year at the Melbourne Showgrounds fair visitors will be truly impressed when the German world leader in horse trailers showcases their latest Master generation and other proven float brands such as XL, Comfort and Portax.
Like their predecessors, the 
Master Class trailers fascinate everybody with their exclusive interior equipment, first-class workmanship and spacious dimensions. Their timelessly elegant front design satisfies the most extravagant demands. The unique design gives the new master models an exciting, sporty and elegant look. Comparisons to a spaceship for horses are not far fetched.
Böckmann Australia will have their extensive range of products exhibited in the 'Outside 'Truck & Float' area. Expert staff from Germany as well as Böckmann Australia Managing Director Manfred Dobrow will be there to give expert advice on all models and specifications.
It is those unique specifications and added features that make a top quality Böckmann trailer so popular with riders, but also the extra ideas and creativity – both in the standard features and also in the accessories. And as ever at Böckmann, these are all ideas developed from practical applications, often tried and tested by Böckmann's own horses and riders. From little things that matter, such as the side stops, through to the complex Comfort suspension (CFFplus) with longitudinal beam structure. All solutions are offered in top quality workmanship, robust design and long service life. That pleases your purse, as well as your horse!
Böckmann has already won a prestigious innovation award for its coveted drive technique. Just in time for the German EQUITANA in 2009, Böckmann set new standards for horses and riders with their innovative World Class Chassis (WCFplus). WCFplus in line with car standards in combination with a hydraulic brake system, celebrated its world premiere and received one of the prestigious EQUITANA Innovation Awards. Of course WCFplus is available for Australian customers.
Furthermore Böckmann’s new Top Master was nominated “Horse Trailer of the Year” even before the close of EQUITANA 2009. So make sure you take a look for yourself at this month's EQUITANA Melbourne, 18 - 21 November. There are also fantastic EQUITANA specials available for those who make a buying decision at the show (for example up to $ 2,000 off the normal price!!!).
Böckmann Australia welcomes you!
(Photos of EQUITANA Germany 2009, courtesy of www.boeckmann.com)
