Equitana Melbourne 2014

You really need four days to properly look at all the interesting trade stands, that include everything from the frivolous to fittening feeds and the girls from Blue Chip Feeds (as seen in Horse Deals) will be pleased to see you and give you the good oil on feeding your horse.

The Goodwoods Saddlery stand has plenty of quality merchandise and some great Equitana bargains on offer.

For three hours this morning, Charlotte Dujardin in collaboration with English dressage rider, trainer and judge, Judy Harvey gave a wonderful, entertaining and informative Dressage Masterclass.

Successful young Victorian dressage rider, Lilah Nieuwland was first out in the Dujardin/Harvey Masterclass this morning riding her super four year old mare, 'Bloomfield Furstin Romance'. Lilah and the mare will feature in a January Horse Deals magazine feature relating to the Masterclass.

'Sir Charmed' (SF Sir Real/Bremervale Charmed) bred owned and shown by Doyle and Kate Dertell was declared Champion Arabian Colt Three Years and Under. The Arabian classes were part of the Australian Breeders Cup 2014 conducted at Equitana Melbourne.

'Maximilliano' (Guliano/Mustangs Magnum) bred by Mulawa Arabians and Shane Edwards Arabians and owned by Shane Edwards Arabians was declared Champion Arabian Stallion Four Years and Over.

K Hair's, 'Twinmills Bossanova' (Avonsleigh Gaizon/Heritage Sequoia) took third place in the Arabian Native and Parade Costume class and also claimed the People's Choice Award as judged via smart phones.

Eleven year old, Cody Dertell claimed the Arabian Gelding Championship with D & K Dertell and T Love's, 'Prince Charming FF' (Brumarbas Future/Bremervale Charmed).

G and K Copeman's, 'Top Fancy Let's Party' (Rave Review/Top Fancy Tahla) won the class for Arabian Parade and Native Costume.

Nicola Lampent is pictured her Morgan Horse, 'Morgan' during the Sporting Horse Australia Equitana Medley Challenge. Nicola was a member of the winning "Swifts" team.

Jade Vigor was a member of the winning "Swifts" Team pictured during the Flag and Barrel race riding her Quarter Horse/Stock Horse, 'Sky's The Limit'.

Emily Karp from Darley was a member of the second placed, "Ferrari Racing Team" in the Sporting Horse Australia Equitana medley Challenge. They are pictured during the Flag and Barrel race.

Australian Horse trainer Warwick Schiller now resident in the USA is noted for his ability to explain and demonstrate successfully working with problem horses. He gave a popular demonstration at Equitana today. There are so many wonderful horse people at Equitana that one cannot help but improve their knowledge and with minimal effort.

The "Couples Challenge" included directing one's partner to reverse a car and float blindfolded. Well known horseman, Ken Faulkner is pictured with Mrs Cathy Faulkner (aka Dave Russell). They took sixth place in the Challenge.

The happy winners of the Couples Challenge, Darryl Hayes and Katrina Kearns.

Tim and Ingrid Clarke are pictured trying out a new jumping prospect. As Tim well knows, "it is not the size of the horse in the jump, but the jump in the horse". Actually Tim and Ingrid are pictured during one of the Couples Challenge tests. They took fifth place overall.

Andrew Pollock from Craigeburn just out of Melbourne drove his horse team to take third place in a really entertaining Equitana Extreme Indoor Team Driving.

Rachel Haslau from Longwood in Victoria drove her splendid team of matching ponies to win the Equitana Indoor Extreme Driving Championship.

WA Team Member, Jason Fry is pictured aboard his, 'Wundurra Reveal' during the Australian Stock State Of Origin Time Trial.

Very well known horseman and promoter of the Australian Stock Horse, Gerald O'Brien helped Team NSW take third place in the Equitana Australian Stock Horse State Of Origin Time Trial.

Well Known and successful Australian Stock Horse breeder and competitor, Fiona Beer rode her,'Waymere Oaks Legend' to help Queensland take second place in the Equitana Australian Stock Horse State Of Origin Time Trial.

River Dance and Matt Holz were members of the winning Victorian team, in the ASH State of Origin Time Trial.

"At 19 he is going gangbusters" declared a delighted Heath Ryan when his charismatic stallion, 'Regardez Moi' claimed his fourth consecutive Equitana Equestrian Grand Final World Cup Qualifier with a score of 71.62%. "In this sport, knowledge can out race age" continued Heath and let's hope he is right.

Successful NSW rider Sue Hearn has had a great Equitana 2014. She took second place in the Grand Prix yesterday and tonight also finished in second place with 70.72% riding her, 'Remmington' by Riverdance and out of Miss Tense a Thoroughbred mare and dam of Sue's former Grand Prix horse and Sydney Olympic team Reserve, Manhattan.