Photo courtesy of Australian International 3 Day Event.
The 2023 Adelaide Equestrian Festival stage is now being set to showcase Australia’s Eventing superstars in the opening round of the 5-star global equestrian series this month.
Held in Adelaide’s East Parklands from April 20-23, the Adelaide International CCI5* competition attracts the best horses and riders from across the Southern Hemisphere. With the Paris Olympics only a year away, the Australian Olympic selectors will have their eyes on the Australian who will be looking to secure their place on the national team.
Adelaide Equestrian Festival Chairman Greg Rolton expects the 2023 event to be the largest on record – with both competitors and patrons, as the event has expanded to include twilight polo, fashion, pop up wine bars and a larger marketplace to showcase pet and equestrian products and services from all over Australia and the world.
“In 2023, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival will attract some of the best eventing horse and rider combinations from across the southern hemisphere, and there will also be a full range of activities and displays for spectators to watch and become involved in,” Mr Rolton says.
“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.
“This year more of us than ever will be able to enjoy the event as the AEF falls in the middle of term one holidays. If you love the sport of polo, you’ll be able to get a taste for it on Friday night. On Saturday’s Horseland Cross Country Day, frock up & watch the horses in the Barrister’s Block Blush Bar and be a part of the Fashions on the Field. Rymill Coonawarra, K1 Wines & Ruston’s Distillery will also be showcasing their quality South Australian products with pop up bars in Rymill Park.
“The 2023 Adelaide event will also have the biggest prize pool in the Southern Hemisphere with more than $175,000 on the table. This festival is going to be unmissable, so make sure to talk to your family & friends and get your tickets now,” Bettison says.
The Adelaide Equestrian Festival takes place alongside other significant international five-star events, including the Kentucky Three Day Event in the USA in April, the Badminton Horse Trials in England in May, the Luhmuhlen Horse Trials in Germany in June, the Burghley Horse Trials in the UK in September, and the Pau Horse Trials in France in October and the Marylan 5 Star at Fair Hil in the USA.
South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison welcomed the return of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival to the city’s parklands and the thousands of eventgoers it will bring.
“April is shaping up to be an exciting time in Adelaide and hosting this internationally recognised event back in our parklands is a wonderful addition to our blockbuster events calendar,” says Bettison. “As one of only seven events around the world at this level and the only one in the southern hemisphere, the Adelaide Equestrian Festival will draw spectators and some of the best competitors to our city. 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.”
“There is once again a huge selection of tickets on offer to ensure everyone has the best Adelaide Equestrian Festival experience – from General Admission, Grandstand and the Giddy Up Club, to luxury and style in the Peppermint Grove Lounge VIP Marquee – there’s something for everyone,” Mr Rolton says.
The 2023 AEF competition timetable includes:
- Thursday, April 20: Racing SA CCI3*-L Dressage Day from 9am-4pm.
- 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, and 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*. Competition from approx 9am-4pm. Daily Winner presentations at 4pm at the Gillian Rolton Main Arena.
And the 2023 social timetable includes:
- Friday, April 21: Ladies Day in the Chairman’s Lounge from 11am-4pm. SA LIFE POLO AT NIGHT: Bars open at 6pm with Polo from approx 7pm.
- Saturday, April 22: Horseland Cross Country Family Day with plenty of FREE kids activities in the ATCO Kids Corral, and quality South Australian made food and drinks. Entry is free for children on this day. Coopers Blush Bar in Rymill Park, frock up and watch all the action lakeside to the water jump, includes Barrister’s Block Wines, Coopers Beers and canapes from 10am-5pm.
- Sunday, April 23: ATCO Jumping Day with the ATCO Kids Corral offering plenty of free family fun, Chairman’s Lounge for five-star ringside VIP action including 3-course meal and a selection of K1 Wines & Rymill Coonawarra Wines as well as Cooper’s Beers.
