|  | Melbourne Showgrounds
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Tentative Dates:
18 - 21 November 2010
Equitana News 27th November, 2009
Story and Pictures by Berni Saunders. | News No 1 This is the first of regular news items which Cyberhorse will be publishing to ensure that you are kept up to date with the latest and greatest from Equitana, leading up to the 2010 event in Melbourne. There is no doubt that the 2008 event was the biggest and best ... and the horse loving public gave the Melbourne Showgrounds venue their resounding approval. The inaugural event in 1999, then 2001, 2003 and 2005, Equitana Asia Pacific was held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (Jeff's Shed in the city centre) and in the early years everyone was happy. The event has grown in every way with more horses, more spectators, more exhibitions, more demonstrations, more traders and and the growth meant that Equitana out-grew this venue. Add to the space difficulties, the loss of the riverside land outside the Melbourne Exhibition Centre which provided a grassy place to walk horses and give some relief the somewhat cramped conditions - now there is nothing but city buildings and a very horse 'unfriendly' environment. Equitana 2007 was to be the first held at the new Melbourne Showgrounds venue, however, the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia (August 2007) prevented the free movement of horses around the country ... and who could imagine an Equitana without the equines??? EI meant that the event had to be postponed for 12 months and in 2008 fans could not get enough and flocked to enjoy the greatly enhanced program. Equitana @ the Showgrounds was hailed the best ever! In November 2010, Equitana will make a triumphant return to the magnificently appointed Melbourne Showgrounds. The second Equitana at this fantastic venue promises to be jam packed with more elite level competitions, exciting entertainment, education sessions, riding and training exhibitions and 100's of interesting and educational demonstrations. The showgrounds greatly facilitates an enhanced program of hands on horse events and an increased program of equestrian sports which will attract Australia's top riders in many and varied disciplines. There are lots of Equitana enthusiasts who believe it is all about the shopping ... and the trade stands will be bigger and better than ever. The 2010 exhibition will be spread over 3 pavilions boasting 15,000 sqm to give a spacious, well designed show atmosphere for traders and exhibitors. Equitana Melbourne is expecting over 300 exhibitors and 55,000 patrons to get together and share their love of the horse - 2010 is sure to set some new records as the largest equine spending spree in the Southern Hemisphere! Be sure to watch this space and go to the Equitana web site from time to time ... and plan ahead. There is so much to see and most people have to prioritise their special interests to avoid running out of time - it is said that one day is not enough - and with everything on offer in 2010, perhaps we all need to set aside several days! 
Inside the fantastic Grand Pavilion | 
Grand Pavilion - outdoor aspects. | 
Noddy - World's tallest horse.
You will meet lots of wonderful
horses representing scores
of specialist breeds. | 
Amanda Howell tries out
Horseland's Dressage Simulator
which monitors the effect of the
riders' aids and indications to the horse. | 
The huge Bates outdoor arena allows
world class equestrian competition. | 
Clayton Frederick - a 2008 Clinician | 
Alan Hannaford and friend | 
Warwick Schiller - Reining guru! | 
Equitana - a window to new and exciting equestrian products and services.
Dressage Training On-Line came to
Australia to explain how their service
can help riders, judges and enthusiasts. | 
Equitana - the place where people
catch up - Susanna Gazia from Prydes Feeds congratulates Chanele Hunter
on a fantastic 2008 show season. | Equitana 2010 Dressage Star - Steffen Peters. EquitanaMelbourne is thrilled to announce the participation of the most successful dressage rider of 2009 - Steffen Peters from the USA. Steffen has challenged the dominance of the German and Dutch riders and the world saluted his talent in April 2009 when he won the FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas. Steffen has been in Australia previously conducting dressage clinics and was warmly received. It was widely reported that Steffen is a thinking trainer, astute instructor and thoroughly nice guy who was able to improve the horses and riders he worked with! Steffen is the most successful international dressage rider of 2009 and he will present a specialist Clinic/Masterclass and will discuss and demonstrate how he trains dressage horses from Preliminary to Grand Prix level. About Steffen Peters: Steffen is a three time Olympian whose accomplishments include a bronze team medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 4th in Individual Grand Prix Final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Steffen was born on September 18, 1964, he grew up in Germany and started riding at seven years old when his parents bought a pony for him and his sister to have fun and learn to ride. The Peters youngsters helped in the family's retail business and enjoyed taking the pony to dressage shows on weekends. When Steffen was 16 his father bought his first horse Udon, upon whom he would win his bronze medal in Atlanta. Steffen returned to his homeland and commenced training at Jo Hinnemann's barn in Voerde, Germany, where he met American trainer Laurie Falvo Doyle. Falvo Doyle invited the young rider to work at her barn in San Diego for the summer of 1984. After a great summer in the Californian sun, Peters returned to Germany to complete his army service and then returned to San Diego in 1985, taking his partner and friend Udon with him. In 1992 Steffen became a U.S. citizen and four years later, he was named to be part of the1996 Olympic team. With his wife Shannon, Steffen runs a world-class dressage training barn “Arroyo Del Mar” in San Diego, California. Most recent achievements: - 2009 – Won FEI World Cup & Grand Prix CDIO at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen
- 2009 – Won FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas
- 2008 – 4th in the Individual Grand Prix Final at the Beijing
- 2007 - 3rd at Rolex FEI World Cup TM) Dressage Final.
- 2006 - Placed 4th individually and won team bronze at World Equestrian Games.
www.spetersdressage.com
YouTube links: 
Steffen Peters on Floriano at WEG
Aachen, Germany 2006 | 
Steffen Peter on Ravel
Beijing Olympics 2008 | Exhibition on Sale Now! Equitana 2010 retail and exhibitors bookings are starting to fill fast. Previous exhibitors have been contacted in the past couple of weeks. New exhibitors have been able to book space from the 24th November and preferences are linked to the time of the booking.
Helen James is the Exhibition Manager and you can e-mail Helen to discuss your involvement in the 'greatest show on earth". <helen@definitiveevents.com.au>  | 
left and above - shop til you drop! | Confirmed sponsors for 2010
HYGAIN  Equitana Melbourne is pleased to welcome back Hygain as the presenting partner of the “Hygain Helpers Volunteer Program.” With a strong visual presence in 2008, the Hygain Helpers will once again be gracing the Equitana precinct, assisting patrons with their queries and ensuring the safe transfer of horses to and from arenas. RANVET  Equitana Melbourne is delighted to have well respected Australian company Ranvet as an event partner for 2010. The Ranvet Horse Health Pavilion featuring the Ranvet Horse Health Arena will be dedicated to all aspects of horse’s wellbeing. This arena will host various exhibits and demonstrations presented by the industry top veterinarians, dentists, nutritionists and equine specialists. JOHN DEERE  John Deere is world leader in agricultural products and machinery, Equitana
Melbourne is extremely excited to welcome John Deere as an event partner for 2010. John Deere will be the "Official Machinery Supplier" for Equitana Melbourne and will hold the naming rights to the John Deere Pavilion and the John Deere Arena.
If you want to read Cyberhorse's comprehensive pictorial report about Equitana 2008 - Click Here 
Equitana - 2010 Web Site | 
