2010 Equitana Melbourne

2009 World Cup Champion and WEG Individual Bronze Medalist, Steffen Peters from the US gave a wonderful clinic in the NutriRice Grand Pavilion and kept the dressage enthusiasts glued to their seats for three hours. Steffen is pictured with Justine Greer.

Horses of all shapes and sizes and colours were on display at Equitana. 'Shangrila Mister White Dove' exhibited by Shangrila Stud was declared Champion Small Miniature Horse.

More than just a pretty face, the Miniature Horse enjoy a bit of sport as well. Madison Closter's 'Makalah Lodge American Warrior' is pictured during the Six Bar Jumping competition.

Keiron Thomas' 'Knee Hi Park Gabrielle' demonstrated great style during the Miniature Horse Six Bar Competition.

Equine Nutritionist, David Nash explains the correlation between good nutrition and healthy feet.

Horse Ball is not for the feint hearted or stiff rider. As pictured a considerable degree of suppleness is required. Horse Ball is sort of a cross between basketball and polocrosse and is popular in Europe and was first introduced to Australia in 2009.

Rodney Conolan looks quietly confident aboard Alison Dimery's 'Mr Expensive'. It was not misplaced as they were declared winners of the Open Western Pleasure class.

David Pearce rode Paula Di Candilo's 'Winderadeen Hot Chocolate' to take second place in the Open Western Pleasure.

Jessica Oldham rode her own, 'J Bar C Just Passin' to take third place in the Open Western Pleasure.

Craig Rath rode his own, 'YSL Sassy' to take fourth place in the Non Pro Western Pleasure class.

Stephanie McDonald rode her super successful, 'Pawsitively Blazing' to win the No Pro Western Pleasure class.

Helen Morphett is pictured with her Andalusian, 'Lyngara Fillypa' during the Equitana Breeds Display.

Australian Stock Horse Society Board Member and long time breeder, Gordon Nash is pictured with his Australian Stock Horse, Quamby Kyeena' during the Equitana Breed Parade.

The Mounted Games are always fun to watch and Queensland Team Member, James Thomas demonstrated great hand, eye co ordination and riding skill.

Queensland Mounted Games Team Member Jamie Carr displays great harmony and balance with his pony during the exciting display on the Equitana Outdoor Arena.

Adam Sutton is pictured at the beginning of the Ariat Way of the Horse. Three trainers have two three hour sessions to work with unhandled horses from the Moorooluch Australian Stock Horse Stud to see how far they progress in the horses' education. At the end of the two days judges, Ian Francis, Mary Hanna and Julie Breed will determine who has achieved the most.

Bonnie Hiscock rode the scopey and speedy 'DJ' to win the Shetland Steeplechase on the third day of the popular 2010 Equitana Melbourne.

Rebecca Gerber is pictured in full flight with the Shetland stallion, 'Woodview Gold Phantom' during the Shetland Steeplechase.

The Ariat Way of the Horse again proved to be enormously popular with a sell out crown in the NutriRice Grand Pavilion.

Chadd Brady opted for a quicker approach to the exercise, but struck a few problems early on in the Ariat Way of the Horse..

Steve Halfpenny is pictured getting acquainted with 'Miff' during the first session of the Ariat Way of the Horse. "I don't care if I only manage to get a head collar on over the two days" declared Halfpenny, who set about the task in a quiet and purposeful manner.

Dan James, one half of the Double Dan combination that wowed the opening ceremony crows at WEG in Kentucky makes this look far too easy.

The ever popular Jose Mendez entertained the pre Grand Prix crowd with some traditional Spanish work with the Garroche (the pole).

Nadia Coghlan and 'Northern Campion' are pictured during the Equitana Australian Grand Prix CDI/W.

The beautifully presented pair, Caroline Wagner and 'WS Nevada' really look to be enjoying themselves during the Equitana Australian Open Dressage Grand Prix CDI/Freestyle. They took fifth place with 64.1%.

The Hamag EA Victoria Young Rider Dressage A Squad performed an entertaining quadrille during the Grand Prix Freestyle interval. Emily Weston, Ben Terry, Nicole Touzel and Faye Hinchcliffe looked to enjoy the occasion as much as the audience.

Maree Tomkinson's Rotspon stallion, 'Rodrigo III' looked sensational under lights during the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI/W. Ever improving, they produced an entertaining test to a "Police" sound track for third place with 65.30%.

There's something about Mary! Mary Hanna produced an impressive first start Grand Prix Freestyle victory with her nine year old Jazz gelding, 'Umbro'. With her signature super changes she cantered away with the class on 66.5% .

Steffen Peters really gave value for money at Equitana. The popular and talented rider from the USA is pictured giving a Freestyle glimpse riding Mary and Rob Hanna's 'Sancette'. The horse was purchased earlier in the year from Steffen and ridden by Mary took second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI/W with 66.1%. It was a super quinella and Mary has her sights firmly on London 2012.

Dressage MC Roger Fitzhardinge as always was both entertaining and enlightening.