Riders giddy up for the ultimate equestrian experience at 2025’s Toyota Easter Festival
The Toyota Easter Festival is back, and it's going to be a wild ride. Top riders and their trusty steeds compete for glory, from dressage, to show jumping, there's something for every horse lover.
The equestrian world is abuzz with excitement as the Toyota Easter Festival returns to the Kyalami Park Club from April 12–21. For the fourth consecutive year, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is proud to sponsor this premier event, which promises to showcase the very best of horse riding and jumping talent.
According to Glenn Crompton, vice president of marketing at TSAM: “For the past four years, the Toyota Easter Festival has brought multitudes of enthusiasts together to spectate incredible equestrian performances.”
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The event has become a staple in the equestrian calendar, attracting large crowds and providing a platform for riders of all ages to showcase their skills.
This year’s festival will feature a range of competitions, including dressage, equitation, showing, and show jumping, with over 5 000 entries expected. The event will also include a Toyota vehicle parade, Easter egg hunt, food and market stalls, and kids’ entertainment, making it a fun-filled experience for the whole family.
Heather Mpofu, Kyalami Park Club event director, expressed her gratitude to TSAM for their continued support. “Toyota’s backing has afforded us to dream big. Genuinely growing the sport, and offering so much more to so many more.”
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The partnership has enabled the club to provide an exceptional equestrian event that showcases the incredible partnership between horse and rider.
One of the highlights of the festival will be the premier class, which takes place on April 21 at 14:00. The class will feature the top 30 riders competing in the first round, with the top 6–8 riders advancing to the jump-off. The course will be designed by seasoned competitor Anne-Marie Esslinger.
The festival will also feature a range of other competitions, including the Pony Rider Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix, Junior Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix, and Adult 1.50m Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix.
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Additionally, there will be Inter-Africa Cup Show Jumping, featuring teams from South Africa, Mauritius, Congo, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland.
In a show of commitment to supporting talented riders from disadvantaged backgrounds, Kyalami Park Club and SA Showjumping will once again cover the entry fees for these riders. Mpofu said it is important to give back to the equestrian community. “It’s imperative that we genuinely and wholeheartedly support those who deserve to further their careers in our sport.”
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