The ETBA Industry Awards celebrate and recognise outstanding businesses, brands, professionals, and innovators within the equine industry. Designed to highlight excellence across a range of categories, the awards aim to acknowledge the passion, professionalism, and impact of those helping shape and grow the industry.

The awards are open to a variety of equine businesses and service providers, from product-based brands to coaches, educators, practitioners, retailers, and service professionals.

As part of the Equine Business Summit, the awards are designed to not only celebrate achievement, but also elevate and connect businesses within the equine industry community.

The ETBA Industry Awards are a new initiative by Equestrian Trade and Business Australia, with aims to grow the awards year on year into a nationally recognised annual event.

Entries are assessed through a structured judging process based on the responses provided in each nomination form. Judges review submissions against a consistent set of criteria relevant to each category, including areas such as business impact, innovation, professionalism, customer experience, branding, and contribution to the equine industry.

All entries are evaluated using the same framework to ensure a fair and consistent process across all applicants.

To maintain the integrity of the awards, detailed scoring frameworks and internal judging processes remain confidential, allowing judges to assess each submission independently and without external influence.

The judging panel consists of three judges, each selected for their professional experience, knowledge, and alignment with the values of ETBA and the equine business community. This includes one independent judge with no affiliation to the equine industry, providing an additional layer of objectivity.

There are 5 ETBA industry awards, listed below:

• Gow-Gates Equestrian Business of the Year
• ETBA Equestrian Professional of the Year
• Scootboot Rising Star
• Duncan Equine Community Impact
• EquiDirectory Innovation Excellence

Each award has been designed to recognise and celebrate the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of those within the equine industry, acknowledging the individuals and businesses who consistently strive for excellence and contribute meaningfully to the growth and reputation of the sector.

The ETBA Indsustry Awards and Networking Function will be held in conjunction with the 2026 Equine Business Summit on the 27th of May at the iconic Flemington Racecourse.

Tickets for the ETBA Industry Awards and Networking Function are available as an individual event, meaning you do not need to attend the Equine Business Summit to join us for the evening, to celebrate friends, family or your interest in the awards and industry.