Adelaide Equestrian Festival set to attract thousands of tourists
A major sports competition will be making its return to an Australian capital city and is set to generate millions for the local economy.
Lifestyle
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The southern hemisphere’s biggest equestrian event is set to return to the picturesque Adelaide city parklands, with thousands expected to watch riders competing for a place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Adelaide Equestrian Festival, previously known as the Australian International Three Day Event, is back for its first year since the pandemic.
Three, four and five star eventing competitions – comprising of dressage, cross country and show jumping – will be held in the East Parklands between April 20-23 and have already attracted riders from all over the country and the world.
Visitors to the festival will be able to enjoy other activities across the week, with Polo in the Park, a shopping precinct and equestrian demonstrations on offer.
The event’s chairman, Greg Rolton, says the recent rebranding of the event was to help encourage families to visit South Australia and immerse themselves in equestrian.
“We’re just happy to be able to put on a festival which is more than just the three day event,” he says.
“It gives the opportunity for riders from across Australia and New Zealand to come and be selected as part of their teams for the Olympic Games next year in Paris.”
Mr Rolton expects the event to be the largest on record, following a three year Covid-19 related hiatus.
“In 2023, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival will attract some of the best eventing horse and rider combinations from across the southern hemisphere,” he says.
“There will also be a full range of activities and displays for spectators to watch and become involved in.
“We are excited to be hosting so many inspiring individuals and horses and are incredibly proud to be able to showcase their talents in the Adelaide CBD.
“Ours is the only event of this type worldwide held in the heart of a city, which makes it so unique and entertaining for everyone.”
Olympic riders Megan Jones and Shane Rose told NCA NewsWire that Adelaide is one of their favourite events to ride in, with huge crowds providing an amazing atmosphere.
“We’re normally in the bush, in the country, so to have an event of this quality in the middle of a beautiful park where you can duck across the park for dinner in a capital city is amazing,” says Rose, who has won three Olympic medals across his career.
Spectators can expect to see four of Rose’s horses across the competition, and one from SA’s own Megan Jones.
Jones, who won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, coaches younger up-and-coming riders, and says Adelaide is the goal for most of her competitive students.
“I think every kid’s aim is Adelaide; they want to go to Adelaide and be in the crowds and just get the feeling,” she says.
South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison welcomed the return of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival to the city’s parklands, which generated $5.2 million for the economy during its last run in 2019.
“It will be especially exciting this year to watch the Australian riders compete in the Olympic qualifier events, and to enjoy all of the festival action as the event expands in 2023 to offer what our state is so well known for – fantastic festivals which showcase sport, local food and wine, innovation and entertainment,” Ms Bettison says.
The event has again partnered with sponsor Racing SA, who will be promoting its wellness packages for retired racehorses and advocating for off the track thoroughbreds.
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Katrine Hildyard said the event in 2019 attracted over 25,000 spectators – half of them from other states or countries.
“This festival is one which brings community members and visitors together to see some of the best riders and horses in the world take to the course,” she said.
“It’s also a place where we can see our Olympic team begin to build, so we are very much looking forward to welcoming people back to the festival and everything it brings to our beautiful state and city.”
Originally published as Adelaide Equestrian Festival set to attract thousands of tourists
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