Day Night Action in Adelaide today - Olympic Selectors on Hunt for Paris 2024

Adelaide, Australia - The Adelaide Equestrian Festival is thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated Pryde’s EasiFeed Dressage Day this Friday April 21. This prestigious event will showcase the finest equestrian athletes and their talented horses from across Australia and New Zealand as they compete in the discipline of dressage in the daytime, followed by the first ever SALIFE Polo at Night match under lights in the parklands in the evening.

The Adelaide Equestrian Festival is one of only seven events at this level globally, attracting over 25,000 visitors each year. Dressage is a highly skilled discipline that requires a deep understanding of the horse's movements and a close partnership between rider and horse.

"We are thrilled to host the Pryde’s Dressage Day as part of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival," said Adelaide Equestrian Festival Chairman Greg Rolton.

"This event provides a unique opportunity to showcase the incredible skill and unity of our 4- and 5-Star equestrian athletes with their horses followed by a fantastic Polo match under lights at night."

Matt Pryde, National Sales Manager from Pryde’s Easifeed said “The Adelaide Equestrian Festival is known for its world-class Olympic level competition, and the skills on show at today’s Dressage Day promise to be no exception.

“Our team at Pryde’s EasiFeed are so proud to support this festival and other local equestrian events and organizations to promote the growth and development of Equestrian in Australia.”

Dressage is the first phase of the 3-day eventing competition for the CCI4-S and CCI5 competitors at the 2023 festival. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch some of the best riders and horses in the world as they compete for top honours in front of Olympic Selectors for our national team for Paris 2024. Horse & Riders need to compete as one to ensure they leave the arena with the lowest amount of penalties to put them on top of the leader board for day one of the 3-day competition.

South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said it was exciting for the Adelaide Equestrian Festival to be underway, drawing spectators to the city’s parklands.

“What a wonderful few days of elite equestrian competition ahead, with the return of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival set to draw record crowds. As the only event of its kind worldwide held in the heart of a city and a new-look program which includes tonight’s twilight polo event – there are plenty of reasons for locals and visitors alike to get involved and enjoy the fantastic festival atmosphere,” Minister Bettison said.

As part of the day, The Peppermint Grove Lounge will welcome guests from 10am for a five-star experience ringside to all the action. A Dressage Masterclass will be held in the lunch break featuring Horse & Country TV’s UK Commentator, Spencer Sturmey. The Heritage Grandstand and Giddy Up Club will also provide exceptional viewing experiences for the Pryde's Easifeed Dressage Day.

Around the action of the Dressage, festival goers can head to the Marketplace precinct for some retail therapy. The leading riders will also give a media conference in the Market Place after the scoring has been complete, so make sure you head there to listen to how they felt about their dressage and what their plans are going into Cross Country. The Market Place will have a range of interactive kid’s activities throughout the day.

Following the dressage, The Adelaide Equestrian Festival is excited to host a first ever in the parklands, the SA LIFE Polo by Night. Marquees open at 6pm with Polo following at 7pm. Once all the on-field action is finished they'll have DJs on standby to keep everyone entertained until 11pm.

At the Polo, Fashions on the Field sponsored Serafina will also be hotly contested as Sa’s fashonistas compete for a great swag of prizes including outfitting from Serafina and great sa products.

2023 Fashions on the Field Judge and Stylist Emma Mattiske Riemersma, who will be scouting for guests who embrace classic polo styling to make it onto the coveted Fashions on the Field Best Dressed List, said “Stilettos are the fashion faux pas to avoid on the night. Instead, guests should opt for block, wedge, or platform heels that lend themselves to divot stomping and enjoying on-field moments in style”.

“This season finale for the Polo will be the last chance for Adelaide’s Polo fashion set to see and be seen in coming months, so book your ticket and plan your outfit now to avoid disappointment ” said Mattiske Riemersma.

For the Polo portion of Friday’s event, marquees will open at 6pm with Polo following at 7pm.

The Adelaide Equestrian Festival is supported by the South Australian Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission.

The remainder of the 2023 AEF competition timetable includes:

Friday, April 21: Pryde’s Easifeed Dressage Day featuring RM Williams CCI4-S and Adelaide International CCI5-L Dressage, including the Dressage Masterclass, Horseland Rider’s Challenge, Cross Country walk.

Saturday, April 22 Horseland Cross Country Day, including the Mounted Games, Working Equitation Displays in the Gillian Rolton Main Arena, as well as the Cross-Country Masterclass with Stuart Tinney after the completion of the Cross Country.

Sunday, April 23: ATCO Jumping Day commences with the TRM Horse Inspection at 8am, followed by the Racing SA CCI3-L and RM Williams CCI4-S jumping and presentations followed by the final jumping phase of the Adelaide International CCI5.

Competitions run from approx 9am-4pm. Daily Winner presentations at 4pm at the Gillian Rolton Main Arena.

The remainder of the 2023 2023 social timetable includes:

Friday, April 21: Ladies Day in the Peppermint Grove Lounge from 11am-4pm. Great food and K1 Wines & Rymill Coonawarra wines plus pop up gin, vodka, and cocktail bars thanks to Rustons Distillery.

SA LIFE POLO AT NIGHT UNDER LIGHTS: Bars open at 6pm with Polo from approx 7pm.

Saturday April 22: Horseland Cross Country Day - Family Day with free kids and family fun in the ATCO Kids Corral, and quality South Australian made food and drinks. Entry is free for children under 15 on this day. Barrister’s Block Blush Bar in Rymill Park, frock up and watch all the action lakeside to the water jump, includes canapes from 10am-5pm & a cash bar. Plus, Pop up gin, vodka and cocktail bars thanks to Rustons Distillery in Rymill Park.

Sunday, April 23: ATCO Kids Corral, Peppermint Grove Lounge for five-star ringside VIP action including 3-course meal and a selection of great K1 Wines as well as fine wines from Rymill Coonawarra and Cooper’s Beers plus great shopping in the marketplace precinct. Plus, Pop up gin, vodka, and cocktail bars thanks to Rustons Distillery.