Equifest

29/07/2026

Seeing so many people wearing Equifest merch is honestly the coolest feeling. 🩷
Equifest started five years ago during lockdown, and back then we could only dream of seeing it on so many smiling, beautiful faces at Equifest!

You can add 2026 merch to your ticket order or shop on-site. We can't wait to see even more of you repping it this October!

27/07/2026

How's your Year of the Fire Horse going so far? 🐴🔥
For us, it's certainly living up to its name. It's been a year of big changes, taking some pretty big risks, learning as we go, and constantly looking for ways to make Equifest even better. It's exciting, challenging, and incredibly rewarding all at the same time.

We can't wait to welcome you to Equifest this October and share everything we've been working on.

📸 Past Equifest Nightshows

25/07/2026

Introducing our next International Educator. 🇨🇦🐴
While Canadian ethical horsemanship trainer Ally Caldarola is based in New Zealand for the next year, we're welcoming her to the Equifest 2026 education line-up.

With over 15 years of experience, Ally is passionate about ethical horsemanship, cooperative care and creating stronger partnerships between horses and humans. Her practical, progressive approach helps riders overcome behavioural challenges while prioritising the horse's physical and emotional wellbeing.

At Equifest, Ally will present on topics such as medicating with care, where you'll learn how to make medicating less stressful using positive reinforcement, and flow state to overcome anxiety, exploring how balanced leadership can help horses build confidence, resilience and emotional balance.

24/07/2026

Russell Higgins Foundation Horsemanship is a familiar face and supporter of Equifest from the beginning. We're grateful for his ongoing support and are thrilled to welcome him back to Equifest in 2026! 🐴✨

Be sure to catch Russell during the weekend and take the opportunity to learn from one of New Zealand's most respected horsemen. Russell will show how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results through better connection, communication, and understanding.

With over 40 years’ experience and having worked with thousands of horses across 19 countries, Russell brings a world of knowledge, from starting young horses and dressage to cow work, polo, safari riding, and liberty performance.

23/07/2026

Due to an accident, Josh Nichol Horsemanship has unfortunately had to cancel his upcoming New Zealand visit and will no longer be joining us at Equifest this year. Our thoughts are with him during this time, and we wish him a smooth and speedy recovery. ❤️

We hope to welcome him to New Zealand in the future when the time is right. 🐴

For those who may not have seen our update in our private community, we wanted to share what has happened here on our public page as well.

Last week, while riding a young horse, Josh asked her to transition from the walk to the trot. She unexpectedly jumped forward and, as she landed, another powerful jump created a perfect storm. The force of the collision resulted in a fracture of his p***c symphysis, separating the pelvis.

He was taken to the hospital in Athabasca, where initial X-rays were done before being transported by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton for a CT scan. Thankfully, although there was some internal bleeding from the impact, it was controlled and there were no other major injuries.

After consulting with the orthopaedic surgeon, surgery was not recommended. While surgery was an option, it would not have shortened his recovery and would have carried significant risks, including infection and the eventual removal of the hardware. Instead, Josh will be recovering naturally, with time, rest, and rehabilitation.

The reality is that recovery from this type of injury is measured in months, not weeks. For now, Josh is focusing on managing the pain, taking short walks with crutches, and allowing his body the time it needs to heal.

As difficult as this season is, we're incredibly grateful. It could have been so much worse, and we don't take that for granted.

To everyone who has sent messages, prayed for our family, shared words of encouragement, or simply checked in, thank you. Your kindness has carried us through some very difficult days.

We know many of you have also been asking how this will affect clinics, memberships, webinars, and other events. We're working through those plans one step at a time and will continue sharing updates as decisions are made.

Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and for being part of this incredible community. We appreciate each and every one of you.

Cindy 💔

[ADDITIONAL NOTE FROM KYLIE]

Those of us who are self employed in the horse world know how hard it is on you and your family when you are injured and cannot work while you recover. If you would like to help Josh and his family while he heals, a GoFundMe has been created for those who feel compelled to do so:

https://gofund.me/77c1bbb64

If you would prefer an alternative to GoFundMe, e-transfers in CDN dollars can be sent to [email protected]. Thank you all for your continued kindness, generosity, and support. Your notes, thoughts, prayers, and understanding are deeply meaningful in this challenging time.

21/07/2026

ARE YOU READY?! ALL ticket classes are officially ON SALE NOW!
That means you can now secure your GA tickets, including Nightshows, Day Passes and Masterclass tickets.

We're absolutely blown away by the support already. What an incredible day! 🩷✨

Grab your besties and your tickets now at 👉 www.equifest.co.nz

16/07/2026

BIG NEWS! Kaylee Bell is coming to Equifest! 🎶🤠
New Zealand country music superstar Kaylee Bell will headline the 4CYTE™ Festival of Speed on Friday 16 October at Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton!

Get ready for a night of high-speed showjumping, thrilling barrel racing and live performances from Kaylee Bell. It's the ultimate mix of horses, adrenaline and country music, all in one incredible evening.

🎟️ VIP & Supporters Weekend Passes are on sale now.
🎫 To celebrate this announcement, we have brought our General Admission tickets on sale date forward to 10am, Tuesday, 21 July.

Who's excited to see Kaylee Bell at Equifest? 🙌

23/06/2026

Next on our International line-up, and coming to Equifest for the first time from the USA, is Daniel Dauphin of Dauphin Horsemanship. 🇺🇸

Best known for his popular bits and biting video, clinics, online courses and podcast, Daniel brings a practical, horse-centred approach to horsemanship that riders of all disciplines can benefit from.

Daniel’s presentation style is informal and friendly. He often uses humour, logic, and strong visuals to make his points and simplify the complex. He has worked with numerous breeds and disciplines and is a generalist, focusing on the core principles of horsemanship that all disciplines should share. Expect plenty of laughs, and come away with a better understanding of horse anatomy, bit and bridle fitting, the science behind bits, and how improving your hands can solve many common riding and communication issues.

17/06/2026

We’re excited to welcome Josh Nichol Horsemanship from Canada Equifest for the first time! 🇨🇦

Josh’s horsemanship journey began growing up around horses and has taken him across North America, where he has worked alongside some of the most respected horsemen and women in the industry. His approach blends classical horsemanship, practical ranch experience, and the precision of rodeo.

His philosophy is simple: when horses feel safe, clear, and physically correct, they become willing, confident partners.

At Equifest, Josh will share how to better understand your horse, improve their movement, and build stronger, more empowered partnerships through feel and timing.

12/06/2026

We also have an awesome lineup of national clinicians to announce! First up is Jody Harstone of The Equine Catalyst. Jody brings her trademark mix of sport, science, and ethics that inspires riders of every level. Always a crowd favourite, she has a gift for making complex concepts clear, practical, and transformational for both horse and rider. 🐴💫

Come and see her sessions at Equifest, where she covers why the future of equestrian sport depends on more than skill in the saddle. She will also look at biomechanics and how it can transform your horse’s way of going.