Take a dash of braveness, add a dollop of talent and a whole lot of love of horses and you’ve the sell-out show-stopping Mane Event.
The 5000-strong crowd in the Grand Pavilion whooped, cheered and clapped their way through two-plus hours of entertainment that was exhilarating, funny and inspiring.
The Outback Experience’s Tom Curtain with his dogs, goats, horses and guitar got the show cranking, enthralling the audience with his training methods. A few of his cheeky dogs almost stole the show but Tom reined that back in with a resounding edition of The Gambler, much to the delight of many sing-along spectators.
Trick rider Joe Gardiner, backed by his Laughing Stock Productions crew, was as thrilling as he was terrifying, flying off and on his horse at full pace, and even scooting under its belly. His dare devil tricks were balanced with humorous skits including a little mini Panko, a couple of donkeys and the odd bogan to boot. It’s fair to say the crowd adored them.
Father and son Brett and Jake Parbery delighted everyone with a pas de deux (dressage) freestyle and were followed by the multi-talented horseman and podcaster Warwick Schiller.
Skye Liikanen entranced with a liberty performance with her Connemarra mare Maya with whom she won the 2022 TWOTH competition.
It was a real treat for all to see The Australian Outback Spectacular’s Caleb Degan and Lauren Beatson performed for the first time ever outside of their own arenas on the Gold Coast.
And then it was time for a trip down memory lane with two of Australia’s favourite sons, the Double Dans. It’s the first time the two have been able to perform together since the pandemic and was a chance to celebrate the many who had been part of their journeys and have a peek into the future.
The Double Dans have been part of EQUITANA since 2008 when Dan James – with Dan Steers by his side – won TWOTH. Since then they have educated, performed and mentored so many and become world-recognised horsemen.
With the men now based in separate countries, their get-togethers are far less frequent but their ethos remains the same.
Joining the Double Dans were Dan Steers’ children Zara and Tom, with mum Pia, showing the future is in good hands. Dan and Elizabeth James’ children Isabella and Jesse showed their talents on the big screen all the way from Kentucky.
The show drew to a close as only a Double Dans one does, with fire, the cracking of whips, a little Roman riding and plenty of speed.
The crowd couldn’t get enough – clapping and cheering with each circuit and then lining the ringside barricades to high five, fist pump, shake hands or get selfies with all the stars of the show.
