EQUITANA Essen

EQUITANA — The World Fair of Equestrian Sports

Do you ride yourself or are you passionate about horses? Then you can't miss the Essen Spring event every two years. Since 1972, EQUITANA has been considered the most important international trade fair for equestrian sports, horse breeding, and equestrian tourism – seven days of full operation at Messe Essen, with around 650 exhibitors from 40 countries, approximately 1,000 horses present, and an audience that travels from all over Europe. Messe Essen spans seven halls and 30,000 square meters of exhibition space.

The HOP TOP Show

The most spectacular element of EQUITANA is the evening HOP TOP Show – a two-hour performance that brings together international show riders, acrobats, vaulters, and stunt riders in an artfully choreographed presentation. Lighting effects, live music, and grand thematic settings transform the exhibition hall into an unusual mix of equestrian sport and theater. In 2026, the HOP TOP Show will once again run on several evenings during the trade fair week.

Exhibition and Brands

On 30,000 square meters, brands from all areas of equestrian sports present themselves – from riding helmet manufacturers, saddlers, horse feed brands, and breeding specialists to trailer manufacturers and providers of ranch holiday packages. Start-ups showcase their innovations – smart saddle sensors, app-controlled training systems, new materials. Each of the seven halls has a thematic focus: Horse breeding, stable equipment, fashion and lifestyle, Western riding, driving sport, international exhibitors, education.

Education and Demonstrations

Over 500 hours of education over the seven days of the trade fair – from demo lessons in dressage and show jumping to workshops on horse health and discussion rounds on ethical horse keeping. Olympic gold medalists like Ingrid Klimke and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl are among the regular guests, alongside top international riders from the USA, Australia, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Atmosphere and Appeal

EQUITANA has something that other trade fairs rarely achieve: a lifestyle character that extends far beyond the industry. One visitor puts it this way: "The special thing about the fair is the diversity... it's a bit like a holiday when you come to Essen." Anyone who owns or plans to own a horse, who rides or wants to ride, who is looking for a stable or planning a riding holiday – EQUITANA is the right place to go.

Essen and the Ruhr Area

Messe Essen is located in the south of the city, well connected to Essen main station and the A40 and A52 motorways. Essen, an independent city in the administrative district of Düsseldorf with around 583,000 inhabitants, is one of Germany's most important trade fair centers – alongside Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Berlin. EQUITANA is one of the most important events in Messe's annual calendar.