Creative and fresh ideas, digital solutions and sustainable products set new priorities in the exhibition area. Opportunities in the equestrian industry and a multi-faceted family programme are further highlights in the Equitana programme.
Innovations and novelties, future-oriented exchange, sport and show - Equitana is not only the showcase, but as the market leader it is also to some extent the engine of the equestrian sports industry. For the first time, in addition to the big brands, numerous young innovative companies with digital solutions and creative ideas for equestrian sports will present themselves in their own area in Hall 6. The topic of sustainability will also be given more weight and its own exhibition area. The focus is on green products, from natural feed and care products to horse equipment, accessories and equestrian fashion. The companies not only focus on natural materials and an environmentally friendly manufacturing process, they also consider sustainable supply chains and climate-friendly packaging.
Future prospects
Expert lectures and product presentations by various exhibitors will provide information on numerous horse-related topics in the EduCare Forum in Hall 1. In the "Equitana Future Talks" there will also be daily talks on various professions in the industry. From photographers and journalists to authors, influencers and feed manufacturers, various representatives will present their activities, talk about challenges and opportunities and answer questions. In addition, during the job fair on Monday, 13 March, in the Congress Centre South, interested parties will find suitable job advertisements for a future in the equestrian industry.
Family programme
The Equitana Saturday focuses on children and the family. With imaginative costumes and inventive performances, the stars of tomorrow will compete for the favour of the public in the Uelzener Versicherung Show Cup. Fast-paced manoeuvres can be watched at the Mounted Games. Various pony shows and children's riding lessons show how youngsters can playfully find their place in the saddle. Trainer and stuntwoman Yvonne Gutsche shows young riders who have already arrived there how to ride safely on horseback and what tricks can be used to avoid accidents and injuries.
From 5.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day and from 1.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends, children can forge hot irons with farrier Martin Schmitz and his team at the shoeing stand in the Health Forum (Hall 1). In Evelyn Biesenbach's Pony Paradise, children can also get up close to the animals themselves on all days of the fair. From the saddle, they will discover the world from above in the My Horse Ring in Hall 6, but there is also a lot to explore on the ground. The ponies have plenty of fur to groom from the top of their heads to their tails, and even away from the halter and currycomb, the children can look forward to a varied range of games, face painting, obstacle jumping and lots of exercise.
Knowledge to take home
More experienced riders can take away even more knowledge for their personal development in the saddle from the numerous lessons in all disciplines. Christoph Hess teaches the basics of dressage. Advancing rider and horse is a project close to the heart of the FN training ambassador. He will make clear what he attaches particular importance to during a lesson on Friday, 10 March, in the large ring at Equitana. Nicole Uphoff-Selke will be showing an individual lesson programme for horses of different breeds and riders at different levels of ability on Sunday, 12 March. Her students include an Icelandic horse rider as well as Grand Prix trainer Uta Gräf. Nicole Uphoff-Selke will tell us more about her training concept and her path from Olympic gold medallist to leisure rider in the Equitana live podcast on Saturday, 11 March, at 1.15 pm.
In show jumping, co national coach Markus Döring sets the rhythm. On Tuesday, 14 March, he will give tips on correct starting and the right tempo between the jumps. World Champion Ute Holm will focus on basic work for western riders on Friday, 10 March. Multiple European Champion and World Cup winner Lisa Schürger will demonstrate on Wednesday, 15 March, how she trains gaited horses sustainably and successfully, the Signum Sattelservice team will introduce the basics of working equitation on Thursday, 9 March, and Andrea Kutsch will show double lunge training presented by Stübben on Friday, 10 March. The topic of horsemanship is also prominently represented: Horse professional Katja Schnabel, Dr Vivian Gabor, Michael Geitner and Luuk Teunissen will pass on their knowledge in numerous sessions.
Tickets for Equitana 2023 and for the three training evenings with Uta Gräf and Andreas Kreuzer, the Liberty Stars as well as Frédéric Pignon and the Hop Top Show are available online in the ticket shop.