Mystery Creek is to host a major equestrian industry event in November attracting international companies and providing a large cash injection for the local economy.

The inaugural Equidays will, over three days, bring together local, domestic and international-related equine exhibitors.

Mystery Creek events manager Vanessa Richmond hoped the event would attract about 15,000 visitors who would have access to exhibitions, demonstrations and a range of equestrian activities.

"All disciplines within the industry will have equal opportunity to showcase their areas of expertise at the event," she said.

Equidays will bring together all sectors of the equine industry from sporthorse to racing and organisers hope the event would grow into a major international event on the equestrian calendar.

"The Waikato is world-renowned for its bloodstock and sporthorse industries. In fact, Waikato has more horses than any other region in New Zealand," Ms Richmond said.

"People within the industry have shared with us that our venue is the perfect choice for launching the country's first horse exhibition of this magnitude."

Waikato racing and horse breeding identity Sir Patrick Hogan has endorsed the event as being "brilliant for the region" and believed it would gain momentum for the future.

"I believe that the event concept, encompassing all equine breeds and disciplines, will be well-supported," he said.

Organisers are now calling for more local support from equestrian businesses and organisations to book a site at the event.

"Our team is entering the detailed planning stage for the event, which means we need to know which organisations will be exhibiting," Ms Richmond said.

Along with local organisations, Equidays has attracted exhibitors from as far afield as Pakistan.

"So it really is a huge opportunity to showcase the Waikato as a leading equestrian region," she said.

While organisers were not keen on comparison's to Fieldays, they are confident that as with the agricultural event, the local economy would benefit.

"We are expecting visitors to stay in the region and spend while they are here. It being a national event, we are expecting people to come prepared to buy."

Sourced from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5099391/Equidays-to-push-Waikato-industry