Adelaide Equestrian Festival – Order or view XC Videos here
While we wait with bated breath to find out who will be on the entry lists for the Adelaide Equestrian Festival 2024, there is plenty to be doing on the planning front for those coming to Australia’s only CCI5* from 18th – 21st April 2024.
You can find a daily schedule with more information on the Adelaide Equestrian Festival website but here’s our pick for the things you must not miss with some important updated times.
ResourceCo Thursday
Thanks to ResourceCo, entry to the event is free on Thursday when the dressage for the Racing SA CCI3*-L incorporating the Bates National Young Rider Championship takes place from 9:15am. The 3*-L competitors will have already had their first horse inspection on Wednesday afternoon and there is a new time for the CCI5* First Horse Inspection at 3:30pm on Thursday.
Tradestands are all open from first thing Thursday morning and there will be a Heavy Horse and Rare Breeds Parade during the lunch break and a Guy McLean Horsemanship display after the 3*-L dressage in the Gillian Rolton Main Arena.
Pryde’s EasiFeeds Dressage Friday
The Horseland CCI4*-S competition kicks off with dressage on Friday morning and this will be an important focus this year, with several Paris 2024 Olympic hopefuls likely to be contesting this class.
The lunchtime entertainment on Friday consists of a Dressage Freestyle Display and the Pryde’s Dressage Masterclass in the Gillian Rolton Main Arena followed by the big hitters coming into the arena for the Adelaide International CCI5* dressage.
Following the dressage you could be following some of these ‘big hitters’ and finding out what they think of the course on the Bates Saddles Cross Country Course Walk departing Bates Saddles stand Southern Marketplace at 3:45pm and the tradestands are open until 6:30pm for those preferring to enjoy some retail therapy.
RB Sellers Saturday
There is another Cross Country Course Walk from Bates Saddles Rymill Lake, returning to Victoria Park by 9:15am, and the Godolphin Cross Country Masterclass in the Gillian Rolton Main Arena from 9:15am on Saturday morning as everything gears up for the big day of cross country in the Adelaide Parklands.
The CCI3*-L cross country will run from 10:30am, followed by the CCI5* cross country from 1pm and the CCI4*-S cross country from 2:30pm.
The place to be on Saturday is of course the Bates Saddles Rymill Lake, where all the action is centred around the thrilling water complex and spectators can get up close to the action.
ATCO Sunday
On the final day, we’ll find out who are new champions are at Adelaide.
Following the TRM Horse Inspections, showjumping starts with the CCI3*-L and CCI4*-S showjumping in the morning followed by presentations and the grand finale of the CCI5* in the afternoon.
Between the two sessions, take a showjumping coursewalk with Olympian Amanda Ross, enjoy some Adelaide wine and relax in your preferred area of hospitality – be it VIP luxury or a homemade picnic on the grass!
Don’t miss a thing across all days – if you haven’t booked your tickets yet then check out the options here and we’ll see you in Adelaide very soon!
