Sandton, South Africa – Equestrian excellence will take centre stage at the 2026 Toyota Easter Festival, hosted at Kyalami Park Club from 28 March – 6 April 2026.
This premier equestrian event captures everything that makes the sport extraordinary: focus, athleticism, determination and the deep, unspoken trust between rider and horse. As a high-quality, free family sporting event, the Toyota Easter Festival offers a distinguished programme designed to engage and inspire audiences of all ages.
Now in the fifth year of its successful partnership with Toyota South Africa Motors, the festival has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the South African equestrian calendar. The collaboration has elevated the competition while significantly expanding audience engagement and participation across the sport.
This year’s 10-day festival is set to raise the bar even higher. With over 5,000 entries, riders of all ages will compete across four major disciplines: Dressage, Equitation, Showing and Show Jumping.
Beyond the arena, the festival offers a vibrant atmosphere for families and visitors, including:
- A Toyota vehicle parade
- Easter egg hunts
- Food and market stalls
- Kids’ entertainment
- And a wide range of festival attractions
“Toyota’s backing has allowed us to truly Dream Big,” says Heather Mpofu, Event Director at Kyalami Park Club. “This partnership has helped us grow the sport and create an extravaganza that not only showcases the sport of equestrian at the highest level on the continent, but also warmly welcomes new audiences to experience all that the sport and its community have to offer. The prizes are significant; the grounds are pristine. The competition will be fierce and the vibes will be high. In our top classes, we’ll see riders push to their maximum, keen to claim top spot early on in the season.”
Adding to Mpofu’s enthusiasm, Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors said, “The Toyota Easter Festival is a celebration of passion, precision and performance - values that run deep in both equestrian sport and the Toyota brand. Over the years, the festival has evolved into a world?class platform that nurtures talent, inspires young riders and delivers unforgettable experiences for spectators. We’re excited to once again be part of it and honoured to help elevate the event’s continued growth and excellence.”
The festival runs from 28 March - 6 April, with the pinnacle event being the 1.50m Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix on Monday, 6 April at 14:00. The course is being designed by seasoned builder Ryan Sander, who will undoubtedly pose challenging fences and distances, yet also reward exceptional execution in the two-round Grand Prix.
Festival Highlights:
- Pony Rider Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix
- Junior Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix
- Adult 1.50m Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix
- Show Jumping classes from 60cm to 1.50m
- The Philip Smith Memorial Equitation Championships
- Premier Dressage competitions
- Supreme Showing classes
Importantly, Kyalami Park Club (KPC) will continue their meaningful work with the KPC Academy throughout the show and beyond, Mpofu added. “The academy has 15 riders who, in addition to comprehensive entry cover, will also enjoy a multitude of learning opportunities spanning the sport of equestrian including training with the professional athletes, to grooming, feeding and keeping a horse in supreme show condition. We will guide the riders on their show preparation, administration and finances. Our objective is to grow great riders and build better people – because equestrian is a career, not just a hobby.”
Follow the Toyota Easter Festival on social media:
X: @ToyotaSA Facebook: Toyota SA Instagram: toyota_sa
