Equitana 2013

Chantel Wigan is pictured on Saturday night aboard her talented Ferro gelding, 'Ferero' that is advertised in the November edition of Horse Deals providing a rare opportunity to purchase a horse of this quality within Australia. They took sixth place with an entertaining Grand Prix Freestyle with 67.15%.

With an entertaining and well choreographed Grand Prix Freestyle ridden to a Japanese soundtrack, Jeremy Janjic rode Lynn Jenkins' delightful Friesian stallion, 'Django of Cacharel' to claim ninth place in the class with 63.075%.

South Australian combination, Susan Paix and 'Sheer Etiquette', the subject of a Horse Deals feature some months ago are pictured during the CDI/W Grand Prix Freestyle. Susan and the grey mare have been on a remarkable journey together and have arrived at the pinnacle of dressage competition, Grand Prix, which is wonderful accomplishment.

Vanessa Way, who spent part of 2012 in England training with Carl Hester is pictured aboard her own and Brooke Hughes' Anamour gelding, 'NRM KH Arvan' during the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final CDI/W Freestyle on Saturday night. They took fourth place with 67.32%.

Sue Hearn was delighted with her ten year old gelding, 'Remington' that is by River Dance out of the dam of her famous Thoroughbred Grand Prix horse, Manhattan, Miss Tense. They took fifth place in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final CDI/W Freestyle with 67.22%.

The always popular Grand Prix rider, Rozzie Ryan is pictured aboard Olivia Bunn's former Three Star eventer, 'GV Bullwinkle'. The Rocadero geldng took seventh place in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final CDI/W Freestyle with 67%.

Bathed in a yellow spotlight, Carl Hester again impressed the crowd, this time with an impromptu and beautifully ridden Grand Prix Freestyle riding Julie, Kate and Jane Farrell's imported gelding, 'Luxor 118'.

It's smiles all round for Heath Ryan and his beautiful Rubenstein stallion, 'Regardez Moi' suitably attired for their victory lap after claiming yet another Equitana Grand Prix Freestyle, this year with a score of 72.60%.

Kerrie Hanson from Wild Horse Australia is talking up the benefits of the new Insect Control Horsewear. The range of insect repellant rugs includes the latest design in flyveils show in this photograph.

Dan James of the Double Dans is pictured with the Future Farms beautiful Arabian filly, 'Shimmer FF' during his presentation entitled, "Horsemanship Fundamentals".

The fabulous balloons with legs are one of the must buy highlights at Equitana 2013. They were available from the Showstar Showbags stand.

The Greystone Stand had a great display of vehicles and equipment to make looking after the paddocks a pleasure.

The Pat Parelli's presentation, "Horse Makeover" was popular. The talented horseman and raconteur produced some impressive results with international eventer, John Twoomey's five year old Warmblood/Thoroughbred, 'Cody'. That's John on the stand, which is all part of Parelli's training technique.

"Not a great feeling". Robert Bandy a stock manager from Manilla in NSW won the Buckjump section of The Man From Snowy River Legend's Challenge.

Apparently this horse was formerly a dressage horse. Perhaps these are the "airs above the ground"? Whatever the case, Stephen Connor a grazier from Taralga in NSW seems to be sticking with him during the Buckjump section of The Man From Snowy River Legend's Challenge.

Tyler Pearson is pictured riding The Stillwaters Stud's, 'The Socialite' in the Appaloosa Display on the last day of the successful and popular Equitana 2013.

Karen Lever well known as half of the Snafflebytes Dressage scoring team is pictured during the Appaloosa Display riding her, 'Pure Magic'. Karen, who is eligible to ride as a Para Equestrian has opted to compete in Open company and is preparing her horse for the Prix St Georges competition at the Victorian Dressage Championships early in December.

Leslie Moore from Denman in NSW rode the stallion, 'Tuthaside Golden Gun' to win the 2013 Australian Open Barrel Racing Championships. There was a prize pool of $10,500 for the competition. She won with the time of 15.89 seconds.

Kelly Holding from Kendall in NSW rode, 'Tom's Gold Mine' to take sixth place in the 2013 Australian Open Barrel Racing Championships with a time of 16.44 seconds.

Hayley Hill from Orangeville in NSW rode, 'Doc's Rockin Rich' to take fourth place in the 2013 Australian Open Barrel Racing Championships with a time of 16.21 seconds.

Shellie Miller from Duri in NSW rode , 'Lethal Dream' to fifth place in the 2013 Australian Open Barrel Racing Championships with a time of 16.31 seconds.

Adele Edwards from Nangus in NSW rode 'Moon Roc' to second place in the 2013 Australian Open Barrel Racing Championships with a time of 112 seconds.

Vicki Schiller from Harefield in NSW and 'Awesome' are at full stretch during the 2013 Equitana Australian Open Barrel Racing Championship.

In excess of 136.000 Walers like 'Rain Maker' pictured here were sent to the battlefields of the First World War. Only one returned. Rain Maker and his rider demonstrate what the First World War horse and rider looked like. Not sure they would have been presented so well.

Rhonda Armstrong is pictured aboard the 14.2hh 9 year old, Waler gelding 'Digger' during the Waler Legacy display. Twelve months ago Digger and five other unbroken Walers were selected from Central Australia and put with six different trainers to make the Waler legacy presentation at Equitana. However Rhonda has not had Digger for that length of time, so it was and impressive presentation and demonstration of her training and Digger's willingness to learn at eight years of age.

Natural Horsemanship clinician, Steve Halfpenny demonstrated his work with 15.3hh 8 year old 'Coronation'. His work with the very nervous horse has concentrated mainly on gaining his trust and improving the communication between man and what was 12 months ago a wild horse.

Christy Connor competes in Stockmans Challenge competitions and was also a member of Heath and Krissy Harris' Girls Girls Girls trick riding troop. Christy originally ha the idea of training Bill as a trick riding horse, but that is perhaps for the future. Bill is an excellent trail riding horse and Christy gave an impressive whip cracking display aboard Bill that was brought in from the wild only 12 months ago.

Wayne Armstrong from Bambra in Victoria has broken 'Trooper', 4 year old 14.1hh gelding in to harness with obvious success. "His comparative youth helped in the process", commented Wayne.

Tamworth trainer, Damien Judd presented four year old Rupert on his way to a show ring career. The 15hh gelding was named after the Queensland bred horse that was purchased by Edward VII of England in 1906 and also ridden by his son King George V.

David Simons made an impressive entry aboard the three year old Waler mare, 'Gunner' that he has trained as a Reining horse as part of The Waler Legacy demonstration. David appears to have achieved a great deal with his, as of 12 months ago wild horse.