Adelaide’s parklands are about to be transformed into a scene of elegance, adrenaline and unforgettable moments as the 2025 Adelaide Equestrian Festival canters into Victoria Park from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 May. Adelaide is about to put on a show that’s a little bit country, a little bit city, and completely unmissable.
Now in its 25th year, this internationally renowned event is the only five-star equestrian competition in the Southern Hemisphere and the only one in the world to take place right in the heart of a major city.
What makes this event stand out is the way it blends world-class sport with a relaxed, picnic-in-the-park kind of vibe. It’s not just about the competition. It’s about soaking up the atmosphere, watching some seriously impressive athletes (both human and horse), and enjoying a weekend that feels a little bit fancy.
The festival has always drawn a strong equestrian crowd, but these days it’s just as much about families, food lovers, and anyone who enjoys a day outdoors.
Greg Rolton of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival said the event was always a delight for spectators and equine enthusiasts.
“We welcomed more than 30,000 spectators to Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi in 2024 and we anticipate this number to grow as the sport of eventing continues to gain momentum following a successful performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics,” he said.
“It’s not often that you can find a sporting event that caters to everyone.”
“People travel from across Australia to be part of this prestigious event, and age doesn’t defy who can take part — young and old, it is embraced by everyone and anyone.”
“We’re incredibly proud to showcase the very best equestrian athletes from around the country while ensuring that even the youngest attendees are entertained with live music, kids’ activations and a newly expanded family-friendly food and beverage offering.”
The Adelaide Equestrian Festival is also proudly local, spotlighting some of the best South Australian food and beverage producers. Across all four days, visitors can enjoy everything from artisan gin and boutique wines to food trucks, ice cream stalls, and gourmet picnic hampers — a diverse offering to suit every taste.
Children can meet ponies and there will be games for the kids, live music in the afternoons, and stalls filled with everything from local fashion to artisan treats. They can cheer on the riders and the horses as they dance in the dressage arena, fly through the air over the show jumps or splashing through the water and then the cross country with zigging and zagging around the incredible Cross Country course.
Thursday’s opening day is free to attend. It’s the perfect excuse to pack a picnic, bring the grandparents or the pram, and spend a few hours wandering the Festival Hub in Victoria Park while dressage unfolds in the background.
From Friday’s extended twilight hours to the heart-racing cross country action on Saturday and the grand finale of show jumping on Sunday, the program is packed with moments to remember. Many of the athletes you’ll see are already training toward the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and the road to that level of excellence is a long one.
“While the LA 2028 Olympics and 2032 home soil Brisbane Olympics may seem like a long way away, it is at this point that our experienced and rising Australian equestrian athletes are already in training and preparing in order to be considered for the Australian team, as it can take nine years to develop a horse to that level,” Mr Rolton explained.
For anyone who’s never seen it live, there’s something kind of magical about the way these riders and horses move together. It’s graceful, it’s powerful, and it’s all happening just minutes from the middle of the CBD.
South Australian Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said there is nothing like the Adelaide Equestrian Festival anywhere else in the world. “Elite equestrian athletes and spectators from all over will experience the event right in the heart of our boutique city,” she said.
“I am proud to support the Adelaide Equestrian Festival, which showcases why South Australia is a leading events destination, while bringing tens of thousands of visitors to our city to help boost visitation for our local businesses.”
In Adelaide we can sometime take for granted how lucky we are to have these world-class events at our front door, if you haven’t been to the Adelaide Equestrian Festival, maybe this year you’ll see what all the excitement is all about.
What: Adelaide Equestrian Festival
Where: Rymill Park and Victoria Park, Adelaide
When: Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 May, 2025
For more info; click here
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