The program of the World Equestrian Show from 9 to 15 March offers a great variety of sport, show and shopping. A detailed overview will be available at the press briefing on the opening of the fair on 9 March in Essen.
Exciting sport, spectacular shows and an incomparable shopping experience with more than 600 exhibitors - that is the World Equestrian Show. There, all the renowned brands will present their new products, top riders and internationally sought-after trainers will pass on their knowledge and unforgettable shows will provide unique moments.
Animal welfare and sustainability
With more than 600 exhibitors from all over the world, almost 1,000 participants and 700 horses from 30 different breeds, Equitana is the most important marketplace in equestrian sport - both nationally and internationally. This year, the fair is placing decisive emphasis on training, animal welfare, but also on the topics of electromobility and sustainability. The best developments in these areas will be honoured by the Equitana Innovation Award. And the most committed projects in the field of animal welfare will also be honoured.
Horses strengthen the personality
Top riders and trainers such as Ingrid Klimke, Ute Holm or Bernd Hackl are not only role models, in numerous teaching units they also give concrete tips on how to deal correctly and sensitively with the partner horse. The influence that animals have on human personality development will be demonstrated by the internationally renowned and multiple award-winning actress Marie Bäumer.
The Equitana Cups
Imaginative freestyle in the Uelzener Versicherung Show Cup, precision and skill in the Josera Working Equitation Cup, versatility and quick reactions to fine aids in the Ranch Riding Cup of the EMU and fast races of Icelandic horses in fourth and fifth gear in the Hrímnír Isi Cup - the first-class competitions promise exciting sport. The starting field in the USG Indoor Eventing is particularly high-class, with two Olympic champions, Michael Jung and Julia Krajewski, competing.
The future of breeding
Well-known studs show their stallions from their strongest side in a show. In addition to powerful moving warmbloods and typey ponies for sport, cold-blooded horses, gaited horses and other small horse breeds will also impress with their quality. The State Stud of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as private stallion owners impressively present their top sires in
various shows. The stallion show (presented by Marstall) on Tuesday, 14 March is included in the ticket price as part of the day's programme.
Exclusive training evenings
The Equitana training evenings offer entertaining knowledge transfer in feature film length. Kenzie Dysli, Emilia Schlotterbeck, Tanja Riedinger and Julia Steinbrecher will teach the playful ease of communicating with their horses via fine signals on Thursday in the show "Liberty Stars live" on 9 March, at 7.30 p.m. presented by Bonda Ranch. The two top athletes Uta Gräf and Andreas Kreuzer will show what is important to them in the saddle on Monday, 13 March, at 7.30 pm presented by Saddlery Dresch. The master of free dressage Frédéric Pignon will reveal how he manages to dance with the horses on Tuesday, 14 March, also at 7.30 pm.
Hop Top Show
The Hop Top Show Mosaique is the atmospheric highlight of the fair day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7.30 pm each day. Celebrated artists from all over Europe present the bond with their horses in a sometimes fast-paced, sometimes humorous, but always extraordinary way. The gala will immerse the audience in the world of fantasy that makes the seemingly impossible possible.
Tickets for Equitana 2023 as well as for the training evening by Uta Gräf and Andreas Kreuzer, the Liberty Stars live as well as the training evening with Frédéric Pignon and the Hop Top Show are available online in the ticket shop.
Press briefing
We will present even more details on the highlights and the programme of Equitana at the press briefing on the opening day
Press briefing:
- Thursday, 9 March 2023
- 10 a.m., Business Club (above Hall 6).
Your contact persons are:
- Soenke Lauterbach, Secretary General of the German Equestrian Federation
- Benedikt Binder-Krieglstein, CEO of RX Austria & Germany (organiser of Equitana)
- Christina Uetz, Event Director Equitana
- Kenzie Dysli, horse trainer and influencer
Ceremonial opening with photo opportunity
Thursday, 9 March 2023
11 a.m., VIP Grandstand in Hall 5
For the photo session we will present spectacular shows from the new Hop Top Show Mosaique.
You can gain access to both events with a press ticket, which you can obtain from 9 a.m. in the Press Centre West.