The equine industry will celebrate its own festival this summer as Equifest prepares to descend on Taupō at Waitangi weekend, February 4-6.
Attracting thousands of people, the event combines education, competition, shopping, and entertainment.
Held at the Dunstan Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre, Equifest will include a marketplace of more than 140 exhibitors, and feature 30 equine educators, along with competitions and demonstrations including jumping, western and dressage.
Equifest is the only national event of its type, said Equifest Director Ammie Hardie. For the rest of the year, the western riders mostly stick to themselves, and the jumpers and dressage sports run individual events.
"People are very passionate about their own disciplines; they have their own championships and points to gather," said Hardie. The beauty of Equifest is that it brings everyone together to celebrate the one thing they all have in common – their love of horses.