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Future-proof your saddle fit with SMART Saddles

Are you going around in circles and coming up against the same saddle fit issues time and time again, leading to training problems, sore backs and expensive, often unexpected, saddle bills? Wave goodbye to the limitations of traditional saddle designs with a fully flexible SMART Saddle!...

Show Hunter Joins Equifest for the First Time

For the first time ever, Show Hunter will feature in the Equifest lineup, adding another exciting discipline to the festival programme. The Show Hunter competition will take place on Friday and Saturday in the Hippo Health Arena, located amongst the Shopping Village. This central location will allow visitors to enjoy the action while soaking up the Equifeest festival atmosphere.Show Hunter challenges competitors to maintain a consistent rhythm, accuracy, and balance throughout the course. Equife...

Beyond The Bit Announced as Sponsor of Friday Nightshow

Equifest is thrilled to announce Beyond The Bit as the official sponsor of the Friday Nightshow – Festival of Speed, a high-octane evening of competition and entertainment.Taking place on Friday night at Equifest 2025, the Festival of Speed promises an adrenaline-charged showcase of equestrian sport, featuring showjumping, barrel racing, and the fast-paced thrills of scurrying. This unique mix of events guarantees a night of excitement for horse enthusiasts and families alike.“We’re excite...

Rare Breeds Display

Equifest 2025 will showcase some of New Zealand’s most unique and endangered horse breeds, thanks to the Rare Horse Society of New Zealand. This passionate group was founded by two members of the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of NZ, who shared a dream of focusing exclusively on horses. Their vision has since grown into a thriving network of dedicated people united by their love for rare and heritage equines.The Society’s mission is clear: to promote and preserve rare pure horse breeds liv...

New Sunday Family Fun

Equifest is set to welcome families in a whole new way this year with the launch of Sunday Family Fun, a fresh addition to the 2025 programme. The initiative has been created to offer an fun-filled day out where families can enjoy the excitement of horses, equestrian sport, and festival entertainment together.The Sunday Family Pass is priced at just $90 online and includes entry for two adults and two children. Organisers say the pass has been designed to make Equifest more accessible for famili...

Equifest 2025 VIP and Supporters Weekend Passes On Sale Now!

Equifest, New Zealand’s premier equestrian festival, is excited to announce that VIP and Supporters Weekend Passes for Equifest Taupō 2025 are officially on sale.Set to take place from 17–19 October 2025 at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre in Taupō, Equifest offers a vibrant celebration of all things equine. The festival features three full days of competitions, educational clinics, interactive demonstrations, shopping, and two spectacular Nightshows .VIP Weekend Pass holders wil...

Equifest 2024 Merch

The excitement is building as Equifest approaches, and this year, we’re thrilled to announce that our exclusive Equifest merchandise is now on sale!Equifest is more than just a festival – it’s a celebration of everything we love about the equestrian world. By wearing or using our merchandise, you’re not just supporting the event; you’re joining a community of passionate individuals who share your enthusiasm.So, what are you waiting for? Grab your Equifest gear, get ready for an incredi...

A Fresh Take on Future Stars

Equifest Future Stars is returning with a slightly different format. For those who may have missed it, Future Stars has traditionally been a platform for showcasing emerging talent in the equestrian world through competition. This year, however, Future Stars is shedding its competitive edge in favour of a more immersive experience designed to hone your performance skills in a professional environment.This year, the spotlight is on providing participants with a valuable opportunity to grow a...

Mounted Games Nations Championships

This year, the excitement reaches new heights as the New Zealand Mounted Games Association (NZMGA) proudly hosts the IMGA Nations Team Championship at Equifest. This prestigious event will bring together six teams from across the globe, including competitors from Australia, South Africa, the USA, New Zealand, and a mixed United Nations team.The Championships promise to be a spectacular showcase of Mounted Games, featuring a lineup of top-tier riders and high-caliber ponies. With each team consis...

Equifest Announces VIP and Supporters Weekend Passes

Equifest, the premier equestrian event of the year, is delighted to announce the release of VIP and Supporters Weekend Passes for its October 2024 event. The tickets will go on sale Monday 3rd June at 12pm and all general admission ticket classes Monday 1st July at 12pm.Whether you're an avid rider, a passionate spectator, or simply someone who appreciates the grace of equestrian sports, Equifest offers something for everyone.VIP Weekend PassesThe ultimate way to fully experience Equifest w...

Equifest won't return to Christchurch

We are sad to announce that Equifest won't be returning to Christchurch this year. We understand that this news may disappoint many of you who have been hoping that you would see us return!We never like to say never, but at this point, it's just not financially feasible for us to hold the event in Christchurch. We're always on the lookout for ways to connect with our South Island community and bring value to our supporters.We hope that some of you can travel to Equifest Taupō, and we'd love to ...

Save the date: Equifest Taupō 18 - 20 October 2024

Equifest 2023 proved to be a resounding success! With a notable 11.51% surge in attendance compared to previous years, the event firmly cemented its place as a must-attend affair on the equestrian calendar. Here are some key statistics from the event and quotes from our visitors:...

Searching for future Equifest Stars

Set to be a new feature at Equifest, the Equifest Future Stars Competition encourages entrants to showcase their unique relationship with their horse/s in a creative, meaningful and entertaining way while deepening the level of equine talent in the industry.This competition is open to Amateur and Professional Trainers; however, the Horse entered must be new to equine entertainment and cannot have featured in an equine event's Nightshow before.Entrants will need to create a 4-5 minute freestyle r...

Exclusive Problem-Solving Masterclass & Sunday Day Pass

We're super excited to announce that Yvet Blokesch of Feather Light Horsemanship will be joining us at Equifest Taupō, all the way from the Netherlands!With an immense love for special horses in need, Yvet is a specialist in starting young horses and working with horses who face strong difficulties in life. Her stable is filled with horses in training that she helps work through their problem to see the world differently.Along with her love for liberty training, she performs with her horses. He...

New Brave Pants Leg-Up Marquee

A goal of Equifest has always been to empower and support the New Zealand equine industry. So in conjunction with our supplier Carlton Hire and sponsored by The Brave Pants Co., we are excited to announce that we have added a newly designed exhibition space, especially for charities or new and emerging businesses, to showcase their side hustles.The new Brave Pants Leg-Up Marquee is designed to help Kiwi entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. Exhibitors selected for the Brave Pants Le...

Save the date: Equifest Taupō 13 - 15 October 2023

It has been an interesting start to 2023, with the weather again wreaking havoc on events, horse shows and many of our summer holiday plans. So, we are excited to be able to share some good news and announce the dates for Equifest Taupō 2023! Join us for three days of unmissable equine festival fun and enjoyment, celebrating all things equine. From professionals to enthusiasts of all disciplines, riding levels and ages, together we can connect, learn and power the industry Inspiring crowds with...

Equine Action All Weekend Long in Christchurch

The South Island equine community will be treated to three days of shopping, competitions and thrilling entertainment when Equifest comes to Christchurch this weekend 9-11 December 2022. Opening the gates to equine-enthused crowds, Equifest is being held at the Canterbury Agricultural Park. Riding off the back of a successful Taupō event held in October this year, organisers are excited to bring the equine extravaganza that pulls all corners of the horsey world together to the South Island for...

Saddle up Taupō, Equifest is coming

Streams of equine enthusiasts will soon be filling Taupō’s purpose built equine facility, the Dunstan Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, as equine event Equifest prepares for three days of action-packed education, shopping and competition. Running from 28 – 30 October, the event will celebrate all things horses in an equine-themed festival-style celebration. Equifest is the only national event of its type where people come together to connect and share their passion for all equine disc...

Christchurch announced as Equifest location

The South Island equine community will be treated to three days of inspiration, shopping, competitions and thrilling entertainment when Equifest heads to Christchurch from 9-11 December 2022. Equifest Christchurch will be running at the Canterbury Agricultural Park bringing everything we know and love about Equifest to the South Island “Taking Equifest to the South Island was an easy decision,” says Event Director Ammie Hardie. “The South Island has a really strong equine community with re...

2022 Dates Announced!

The secret is out! We are delighted to announce planning is underway to return to the NEC in Taupō and for the first time, we are taking Equifest to Christchurch to the Canterbury Agricultural Park. The team have been chatting to educators, redesigning the exhibition space and looking at ways we can make 2022 the biggest and best yet! We can't wait to see you in Taupō on 28 - 30 October 2022 and Christchurch 9 - 11 December 2022.  After a year's hiatus, Equifest will return with...

Equifest Cancelled Due To Red Traffic Light

Following this morning’s Government announcement that all of New Zealand will be moving to Red in the COVID-19 Protection Framework tonight at 11.59pm the Equifest team feel that we have no option but to announce the heart-breaking decision to cancel Equifest Summer Special. As with how we've approached this situation all along, we have continued to proceed until we are told otherwise. It has become clear that there is no feasible way to plan the event which is less than 2 weeks away as ...

Equine world will still get their festival

The equine industry is set to celebrate its own festival this summer as Equifest prepares to descend upon Taupō Waitangi Weekend, 4 – 6 February.   Attracting thousands of people, the event combines valuable education, thrilling competition, shopping and dazzling entertainment. Held at the Dunstan Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Equifest will include a marketplace of more than 140 exhibitors, and feature 30 experienced equine educators, along with competitions and demonstrat...

Good News For Summer Events

It is fantastic news to have the Government funding backing for summer festivals and events. This is a massive deal for us as a small family-owned event business it has given us the financial certainty to carry on planning. Plus it also means that if Equifest is cancelled due to Covid we will offer a refund on tickets (excluding the small admin fee). With the threat of COVID hanging heavily over our planning, we have fielded a large number of queries regarding the event and clarification on...

Event Postponed to 4 - 6 February 2022

Equifest 2021 was set to be a celebration of everything we love about our equine industry here in New Zealand. We were so close the event was shaping up to be phenomenal with exhibitor numbers and ticket sales well ahead of last year. However sadly, the current COVID 19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns have realistically taken the decision out of our control, and we have announced the postponement of the 2021 event. The decision to postpone was not made lightly and has been done in consultation...

Saddles needed to suit both horse and rider.

NSC was founded on the concept that saddles needed to suit BOTH horse and rider. Whilst today this may be common knowledge, before the NSC was formed in NZ in 2002 the thought process was more to do with fitting the horse and then ‘making do’ for the rider.Josephine Dancy founder of NSC, was unsatisfied with “custom” saddles being no more than a change of colour of the piping. Since her current range of brands were not interested in actual pattern changes, she started her own brand. With...