Equitana Sydney 2011

Heath Ryan and the charismatic Rubinstein stallion, 'Regardez Moi' continue to put their best foot forward and earned second place with 66.3% in the Equitana Grand Prix CDI/W. The class was won by Louisa Hill from New Zealand who has impressed not only with her riding, but also with her super promising Grand Prix newcomer (his ninth GP at Equitana), Bates Antonello that earned 68.4%.

Maree Tomkinson from Hidden Valley in Victoria is always a delight to watch. Maree is pictured with her stallion, Rodrigo III by Rotspon that she purchased in Europe as a foal. The eye catching chestnut demonstrates improvement with every outing and took eighth place in the Equitana Grand Prix CDI/W with 63.21%.

A dapper Dale Plumb judged the Equitana Showing Championships.

Kiara McEvoy from Jamberoo in NSW won thre class for Rider Under 12.

Claire Guiver from Rushcutters Bay in NSW is pictured during the class for Rider 12-17 during the Equitana Show Horse Championships.

Chelsea Morelli from Wollongong ride her well performed, 'Janevelyn Jazzman' to second place in the class for Rider 12-17 Years.

Broni Sams from South Maroota in NSW rode her own and Demi Sams' pony 'Ovendale Honeycomb' (Mat's Mischief Of Astral/Owendale Lemon Butter) to be declared Equitana Supreme Ridden Show Horse Exhibit.

Lee Halpin-Bishop had a wonderful day at the Equitana Show Horse Championships. Lee rode her 'Platinum Slippers' to win the Show Hunter Hack class as well as claiming the Equitana Champion Rider award.

A view of the Dome Arena set up for the Equitana Way Of The Horse Part 1.

Successful showing identity, Paul Austin from Queensland gave a surprisingly popular plaiting demonstration. That Paul was entertaining is no surprise, it's just that so many people were keen to learn how to produce perfect plaits.

The John Deere Pavilion was full of beautiful floats and trailers including long time Victorian Float makers, Rowville.

This young track rider made the Racewood Racehorse Simulator look easy, however it is anything but. For $10 the Equitana visitor can feel what it is like to ride Black Caviar and for that they machine has to go in fast forward.

Eventing Champion, Stuart Tinney spreads the good word about Coprice Feeds and is pictured with Equitana guest, Caitlin Sneddon from Denand in NSW.

The packed Riverina Pavilion incorporating three demonstration arenas and everything one could imagine associated with the horse and a few things not associated.

On the move, the big Equitana crowd moves from Dome to Pavilion to the Outdoor Competition Arena.

The Saddleworld Stand at Equitana has two major draw cards, Megan Jones and Brett Parbery.

John Khonke's Own products have been popular for many years with the variety of product growing and on show at Equitana 2011.

"PJ"Hanrahan rode 'Rocket' to take second place in the Equitana Mitavite Barrel Race.

Wendy Batchelor rode 'Triako Roc' to win the Equitana Mitavite Barrel Race.

Jodi Kilmartin rode 'Tex' to third place in the Equitana Mitavite Barrel Race.

Western Australian rider, David Dobson was competing at the Victorian State Championships at Whittlesea last Sunday and this evening jumped two impressive rounds, 4 -0 riding Tim Clark's 'As Akon' by Collins to win the Equitana Grand Final Jumping Grand Prix. The almost capacity 4,500 enjoyed the class, which although not overly big was very tight and demanding. David pocketed the rather substantial sum of $7000 for his efforts.

The wonderfully colourful and talented combination of Jamie Kermond and 'Colthaga' looked set to post a copybook first round. However, even Jacqui Cox's Colman mare can have an off day. They jumped eight and four to take fifth place on time.

Chris Chugg rode the Australian Sporthorse Breeder's imported Indorado mare, 'Alondra' to jump four and eight to claim third place as the fastest on 12 penalties in the Equitana Equestrian Grand Final Jumping Grand Prix.

Amanda Madigan and 'Oaks Altes' by Darco made up for a 12 penalty first round with the Oaks Sporthorses' imported mare jumping one of only two second round clears for fourth place in the Equitana Equestrian Grand Final Jumping Grand Prix..

Popular and successful Queensland rider, Cathy Graham jumped the only first round clear riding her SIEC World Cup winner, 'Da Vinci's Pride'. Sadly two down in the second round saw them slip to second place, worth $4000 in the Equestrian Grand Final Jumping Grand Prix.

Graham Ware is pictured with his team of Clydesdale/Thoroughbred horses during the Equitana Four In Hand Championship.

Karen Rogers made a crowd pleasing tour of the course driving her super team of Ripplebrook Welsh A Ponies in the Equitana Four In Hand Championship..

The ponies had a decided advantage in terms of charm, with Wayne Armstrong's team of competitive Welsh Mountain Ponies just about bringing the house down and they zoomed around the course for second place.

Edward Gal may well have taken the spotlight at Equitana this year, but those lucky enough to have attended the Boyd Exell demonstrations arguably caught the highlight of Equitana 2011. Australia's own Four In Hand WEG and World Cup Champion is pictured on his way to winning the Four In Hand Championship driving Bob and Bev Edward's team of Cleveland Bays.

The well kitted out Equitana 2011 Hygain Helpers are everywhere.