From March 9th – 15th, 2023, the city of Essen will be the center of the equestrian world. In addition to more than 600 exhibitors, a high-quality, interesting and wide-ranging program awaits the visitors. The offer is so comprehensive that it is always worthwhile to plan more than one day for the visit or to make a very precise schedule in advance of what you want to see, when and where. Those who want to explore the exhibitor area at their leisure should concentrate on the weekdays. Of course, no one must do without a unique program then either. The best thing is that all contributions during the day are already included in the admission price.
Exciting Monday
The days at the beginning of the week in particular offer a wealth of program items that really must not be missed. On Monday, March 13th, 2023, dressage rider Benjamin Werndl will give an insight into his training methods. The 38-year-old is one of the most successful German dressage riders and pays great importance to growing together with his horses to a real team. In his lesson at Equitana, he will explain how this can be achieved and what needs to be observed. Afterwards, Julia Krajewski, the first and so far only female Olympic gold medalist in eventing, will demonstrate with her students how to get safely through the cross-country. As national trainer of the juniors, the training of young riders is particularly close to her heart and she is a strong advocate of solid basic training and correct riding. Just how far this can take horse & rider pairs is demonstrated in the USG Indoor Eventing Cup that follows. Here, Olympic and World Champion Michael Jung as well as many other international top-riders go over the hedges and logs of the cross course in Hall 5.
Great teaching evening
Monday evening is reserved for Uta Gräf and Andreas Kreuzer. The two great trainers come from different disciplines. They will each report from their world, dressage and show jumping. However, the ultimate specialization of the horses on the course and the arena is preceded by a very solid and down-to-earth riding horse training. Both Uta Gräf and Andreas Kreuzer focus on the health, safety, motivation and consistency of the horses. Only a horse that enjoys working with humans will perform well. How to achieve this and to learn that it is worthwhile to think outside the box is what visitors will learn on this special evening.
Highlights on Tuesday
At lunchtime on Tuesday, a visit to the large arena in Hall 5 is a must. Riding champion Ingrid Klimke will be giving a training session. It is always a highlight to attend a lesson by such an expert and there is a lot of input for one’s own equestrian development – no matter which discipline you prefer.
Stallion show
In the afternoon, the stallion show is the center of interest. Stallions of all breeds will be presented. The Warendorf State Stud will be showing warm and cold blooded horses, the Hoffrogge stallion station will present sires of sport horses, Ferienhof Stücker, Gestüt Bönninger and the Schurf stallion station will bring riding pony stallions. In addition, the portfolio is completed by Haflinger, Aegidienberger, Icelandic and Shetland pony stallions. A colorful mixture of the most diverse horse and pony sires, presented in varied pictures. You can look forward to the sextet of Warendorf stallions as well as to sires in front of the carriage, over the jump and in hand. An afternoon that will inspire you!
Strengthen trust
Anyone who works with horses will benefit from the evening of March 14th, 2023 at EQUITANA. Once you have watched Frédéric Pignon and his wife Magali Delgado work with their horses, once you have understood and internalized their philosophy and been inspired by their positive energy, you will succeed in building a better connection with your horse. On this very special evening, the two exceptional French trainers, together with the famous horse expert Linda Tellington-Jones, will give an insight into their work. Unforgettable hours are guaranteed.
Informative Wednesday
No one in the horse world who doesn’t know her name: dressage queen Isabell Werth. In a special class, she will teach students on Wednesday, March 16th, 2023. Visitors can certainly take a lot from the individual corrections into their own training with their horses.
Afterwards, fans of the gaited horse scene will get their money’s worth. Both at the training session by multiple European Champion Lisa Schürger and at the subsequent Icelandic Horse Cup, there is a lot to learn about the dedicated five-gaited horses.
There is no other horse show in the world where so much know-how from all disciplines of equestrianism is imparted. No other place where World and European champions meet Olympic Medalists and unique equestrian experts. No event that truly represents the topic of the “horse” 360°. Equitana is a must-attend event for everyone who cares about horses!
