Equitana 2013

Just like the Christmas sales.

L-R Serene Grey and Alicia Wujecki came to Equitana armed with their Horse Deals Discount vouchers. By about 10.30 am they had so many bargains their back packs were completely full.

Anjanette Harten had a wonderful show at the National Dressage Championships last week and is pictured in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Dressage Grand Prix CDI/W. They finished in eighth place with 65.83%.

The saddles were just walking out the door from the Syd Hill and Sons stand. There was also a degree of trying before buying, but you had to be patient and wait your turn.

Diet is important and the Country Herbs stand was offering advice and product on your horse eating its way to blooming health.

This magnificent Wade Coach has just been imported from New Zealand by the Morelli family. There has been a great deal of interest in the coach which will be a future Horse Deals Dream Rigs feature.

Successful Queensland rider, Sheridyn Ashwood rode her super Dutch stallion, 'VDL Prestige' by Silvano N to win the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Dressage Grand Prix CDI/W with 68.23%.

London Olympic Showjumping Team member, Julia Hargreaves has made a flying visit home to attend Equitana and is pictured singing autographs on her sponsor's (Co price) stand this afternoon. Julia will return to Europe and then back to Australia for a month over Christmas.

Jason Hodges did the honours with Vanessa Crosland's, 'Arionn' (Azteq LBA/Aviva) that took the Silver medal in the class for Junior Arabian Gelding at the very well produced Australasian Breeders Cup presented by the Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance of Australia Inc.

Doyle Dertell did the honours with Sharon and Max Warke and Shona Young and Olivia Cleary's Junior Arabian Gelding, 'Chase KA' (Crave FF/Vaya) that took out teh Gold Medal and was the SMS Peoples Choice winner of the Junior Purebred Arabian Gelding class.

Andrew Buckley is pictured on the run with Lehan Britten's 'Insulated By fire' (Fire Alert/Miss Infatuation) that took the Bronze Medal in the class for Junior Arabian Gelding.

The "Travelling Horseman", Richard Sharman is pictured in charge of Peter and Tania Hornby's, 'Zarahemia lady Jasmine' (Aryan El Thessa/Gaisha Girl) during the Australasian Breeders Cup presented by the Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance of Australia Inc class for Junior Fillies.

The Future Farms exhibit, 'Enchanting FF' (Craveff/Lexington Elysse) was one of the lovely entries in the Junior Filly class of the Australasian Breeders Cup presented by the Arabian Horse Breeders Alliance of Australia Inc.

TV stars all. L-R Ally Chappelow, the EA mascot, 'Gee Gee' and Nina and Clemie Romsay are pictured during the festivities at the 2013 Equitana Sydney.

Crystal Conning originally from Victoria is pictured making a huge jump over the first fence aboard Emma Scott's successful eventer, Mustang. They are pictured during the jumping phase of the Be The Influence Grand Final Exhibition Eventing jumping phase.

South Australian rider, Anthony Thomas is pictured aboard his well performed showjumper, 'Levitation NZPH' that was having a warm up for the World Cup Jumping later in the day in the Be The Influence Grand Final Exhibition Eventing jumping phase. they took fifth place in the Exhibition Eventing.

UK based Eventer, Paul Tapner is pictured aboard Robyn Ball's, 'Molakai Road' that took sixth place in the Be The Influence Grand Final Exhibition Eventing jumping.

Sam Lyle rode his wife, Nikki's, 'Carson Hill' that coped well with the Stuart Tinney/John Valance course to win the Be The Influence Grand Final Exhibition Eventing competition.

Tim Boland is pictured aboard his lovely, 'Umunga' by Hamlet during the Be The Influence Grand Final Exhibition Eventing jumping phase

Soigne Jackson and 'Warrego Collateral Damage' won the dressage phase of the Be The Influence Grand Final Exhibition Eventing and they are pictured during the jumping phase that combines both cross country and showjumping phase.

"Don't write me off yet" commented Australian Olympian, Clayton Fredericks, regarding his future competition prospects. Looking at this photograph Clayton might be giving the Double Dans a run for their money. The Dans were giving Clayton some instruction, and notice the forward stance.

Australian dressage international, Brett Parbery was also getting some Roman Riding instruction from the Double Dans and Brett's more upright stance is befitting a dressage rider. Both Brett and Clayton proved to be good sports and very brave.

No, not Good Friday at the Royal Easter Show, its Equitana.

First up this morning, the Easy On Rugs stand was doing good business. All the traders at Equitana are doing good business and consequently happy.

This does look a bit gruesome, but Dr Shannon Lee on the Equine Veterinarians Australia Stand has been demonstrating hands on veterinary work and horse anatomy lessons that are proving popular with potential veterinary science students.

The International Animal Health products are popular with all horse owners and the well stocked stand at Equitana has a full range of their products on display.

Wayne Armstrong is pictured with the attractive Waler, 'Trooper' that he has trained to harness and presented at Equitana. It is clear that they have formed a bond.

The customers are queuing up for entry in to the popular Wild Horse Australia stand.

Talented young dressage rider, Jayden Brown is pictured aboard his imported gelding, 'Furst Friedrich' during the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Dressage Grand Prix CDI/W. They finished fourth in their first CDI competition with 67.04%.

Heath Ryan certainly impressed three of the five judges who had him second, third and fourth with the talented Regard Moi gelding, 'Utopian Cardinal' in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Dressage Grand Prix CDI/W. They finished in fifth place with 66.91%.