Equitana Sydney 2011

It's no longer a tressel table and some produce as this sophisticated and attractive Country Park Animal Herbs stand demonstrates. Marketing is now a big part of the budget.

The Greystone Paddock Vacuum sure beats a wheelbarrow and a shovel.

Internationally successful Bates Saddles are great sponsors of Australian equestrian competition and are always present to promote their product.

It does seem odd to have an Equitana without Pat Parelli. The talented and enormously popular US trainer has built up a loyal and talented band of apostles in Australia who represented the brand at Equitana.

The importance of the horses' well being is demonstrated by the increase in equine health products available and TuffRock, who promote "Supporting Nature's Balance" were on show at Equitana Australia 2011.

Boyd was brilliant! 2010 WEG Four in Hand Champion, Boyd Exell presented a fantastic Driving Masterclass this morning that was one of the highlights of Equitana Australia 2011. How about getting four carriage horses to canter a figure of eight with all four executing great flying changes. Seeing is believing. Not only is Boyd talented, he is a good talker and a. great entertainer.

Maureen Rogers, and expert in Equine CranioSacral Therapy was one of the many interesting presenters at Equitana Australia and on Sunday morning gave a talk on "Conformation vs Posture".

The Equitana and the Hawkesbury River Saddle Company presented the Way of the Horse that was conducted over three days. The eventual winner, Greg Powell was not without family support during the competition.

David Manchon from Queensland at the serious end of the Equitana and the Hawkesbury River Saddle Company Way of the Horse on day three. The horses were all unhandled three year olds from Coolidowns Australian Stock Horses.

Greg Powell from NSW in action on his way to taking out the Equitana and the Hawkesbury River Saddle Company Way of the Horse competition.

Dan Maloney from Victoria puts his theory in to practice on the final day of the Equitana and Hawkesbury River Saddle Company Way of the horse.

The Way of the Horse judges, L-R Edward Gal, Stacy Westfall and Bobby Ingersoll are shown deep in discussion on the final day of judging. A "fly on the wall" insight in to their conversation would have been interesting , as they took quite some time to declare a winner.

A delighted Greg Powell from NSW with his Way of the Horse winning partner, a now well handled three year old from Coolidowns Australian Stock Horse Stud.

"From 6 to 76" There is no age limit for participation in the Mounted Games. However, the Western Australian Team look a lot closed to 6 than 76. It of course depends on the game.

Tasmania got off th a great start by winning the Bending Race component of the Equitana Australia Mounted Games Interstate Challenge. This Tasmanian combination demonstrates their winning style.

A South Australian Team member makes their way home during the Bending Race at the Equitana Australia Interstate Mounted Games Challenge.

Zac Singlehurst from Cockatoo Valley in South Australia took equal sixth place in the Equitana Vaulting Freestyle Finals.

Nicole Stapleton from Wollongong in NSW earned 6.55 from the judges for fifth place in the Equitana Vaulting Freestyle Finals.

Emma Moulds from Willaston in South Australia did a routine to the sound of Michael Jackson's Thriller to take second place in the Equitana Vaulting Freestyle Finals with a score of 6.88.

Natalie McNeal from Dorrego in NSW stated the afternoon as lunger and finished up on top for a score of 6.23 and equal sixth place in the Equitana Vaulting Freestyle Finals.

2010 WEG Vaulting Team Member, Lani Maher from Alpine in NSW won the Equitana Vaulting Freestyle Finals with a score of 7.36.

How Lily-rose Adams from Mt White in NSW can still smile for the camera is a mystery. But she had the winning style and took out the Equitana and Harris Entertainment Trick Riding Junior Championship.

Jacinta Maurer took out the Equitana and Harris Entertainment Senior Trick Riding Reserve Championship, with a spectacular display in the Freestyle competition. To be fair they were all spectacular and just a little bit crazy.

Ranelle Carter from Emerald in Queensland put on a breathtaking display to claim the Equitana and Harris Entertainment Trick Riding Championship.

One of the joys of owning a Miniature horse is that it has to stand on a box to be eye level. Sam McCallum is pictured with her well trained 'Silver' that was part of the pre Eventing Grand Final on the main arena.

How would 'Pale Face' be if he were eight or nine hands bigger? The 8hh Miniature Horse bred and owned by Rob Barnes jumped 1.05m in a spectacular display. This was his first attempt at a smaller fence, but her kept the same frame and attitude, with a little less clearance, but only just when the fence got up. The three year old won the Six bar at Mini Tana and is Australian Miniature Horse Fault and out Champion.

Sam Griffiths grew up in Victoria, but now calls Devon, England home. One of the many international guests at Equitana, the Australian WEG Team member is pictured during the Equestrian Exhibition Eventing Grand Final riding 'Sandhills Storm'. Sam came in to the event with good Express Eventing form having won the Express Eventing Qualifier at Gatcombe last August at the Festival of British Eventing.

Shane Rose made it two out of two Sydney Exhibition Eventing wins when he rode his beautiful Thoroughbred gelding, 'Il Vici' by Galileo to win the Equestrian Eventing Grand Final on the last evening of the 2011 edition of Equitana Australia.

Dominic Ingvall who rides for Finland and who hopes to represent that country at the London Olympics rode her, 'Corambo' in to third place in the Equestrian Exhibition Eventing Grand Final on the last evening of the 2011 Equitana Australia conducted at Olympic Park, Sydney.

Popular trainer, coach and horse breeder, Craig Barrett from Branxton in NSW rode the mare, 'Sandhills Brillaire' by Staccato to claim second place in the Equestrian Exhibition Grand Final.