Equestrian riders are taking the reins as part of the Para-Equestrian Festival in Welcome Bay this weekend.

The three day event, which started yesterday and runs through to tomorrow, promises an action-packed weekend of activities, coaching, advice and classification at the Tauranga RDA on Ngapeke Road.

File photo.

'This festival is the inaugural joint venture between Equestrian Sports New Zeeland – Para Equestrian, with the Tauranga Riding for the Disabled and ParaFed Bay of Plenty Coach Force,” say organisers.

'Our aim for this weekend is to give the rider the information, tools and security they need to be able to compete Para Equestrian Dressage, be that at a local or right up to an international level.

'We will have an action packed weekend of both theory and riding (don't worry if you don't have a horse we have some here to borrow) with a mock test at the end on Sunday.”

Some of the topics covered over the weekend include the Para Equestrian grading system, coaching, adaptive aids and equipment, exercise tips and demos from some of our local Para Equestrian riders.

See what else is happening in and around Tauranga below:

Saturday 5 September

Alcoholics Anonymous

Women's meeting at St Andrew's, Dee St 10-11am, children welcome. 0800 229 6757

Art in the Park

Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui 8.30am – 5pm weather permitting. Tauranga Society of Artists offer for sale a variety of art to suit all tastes.

Bayfair Night Market

Arts, crafts, jewellery, fresh produce, food stalls & more. Bayfair Shopping Centre, cnr Maunganui Rd & Girven Rd, Mt Maunganui 6-11pm. Free entry. 022 588 2282 or email: tauranganightmarket@hotmail.com

Books Wanted

For Tauranga Harbour City Lions November Book Sale. CDs, DVDs & Jigsaws also wanted. Drop off points: Living Quarters, Bethlehem Town Centre; Payless Plastics, 414 Cameron Rd; Liquor King 140 Otumoetai Rd, Brookfield. 576 7105

Bringing Out the Book in You

The Cargo Shed, Dive Cres 10am – 3pm. If you've got a writing project in mind or on the go, come & discuss it with Jenny Argante. All welcome. www.Facebook.com/Freelancewritershelpingwriters

Come Dance the Night Away

Sequence & old time dancing, Greerton Hall 7.30-11pm. Great music & supper. Entry $7. All welcome. Run by Tauranga Social Dance. Garry 543 0051

Fink About It

The Laughing Samonas at Baycourt 8pm. tickets from $17. www.baycourt.co.nz

Gate Pa Car Boot Sale

Monthly car boot market in Gate Pa next to Tauranga Girls' College. Sept 5. Clothing, food, free items. To book your space, Wiki 578 3321. A community initiative of Chirp. www.chirp.org.nz

Ha Derech/The Way Messianic Kehilat

Now at Hillier Centre, Bayfair Shabbat/Saturday 10am. A one new man community & welcome all seekers of the truth. 544 7424 or 021 0226 3515

Katikati Tramping Club

Waitawheta Valley, easy - moderate. Brett 07 863 6602

Let's Dance Ballroom & Latin Dance Club

Second Sat of month at Bethlehem Hall 7-10.30pm. Live dance tempo music. Bruce 576 5598

Otumoetai Kindergarten 50th Birthday

Tea party to celebrate 2-5pm at the kindy. Refreshments, memorabilia on display & bouncy castles for the kids. Come & join us.

Sailing (IOM) International

One Meter Radio Controlled Yachts - The fastest growing sailing class of today. Come for a sail & get hooked. Every Sat & Weds at Landing Drive, The Lakes 1-4pm. Pat 0274 731 765

Softball & T-Ball - Give it a Go Day

Sept 12 at Carlton St Reserve, Otumoetai 11am - 1pm. A fun day for you, your family & your mates. www.sportsground.co.nz/wbopsoftball

Tauranga Club

Presents Health & Wellbeing days to revitalise the mind & body Sept 5 at 72 Devonport Rd 8.30am - 1pm. $140 includes a pilates & cardio workout & a vital health management talk. Includes lunch. Raffle prizes valued up to $120. For bookings/info Tracey 021 205 6565

Tauranga Farmers Market

Fresh & artisian produced food. Tauranga Primary School cnr 5th Ave & Cameron Rd every Sat 7.45am - 12pm. Trixie 552 5278 or www.taurangafarmersmarket.co.nz

Te Puke Baptist Church

Annual fair & fun run Oct 17 from 9am. Runners check in 8.30. Fun & food for all ages & great bargains. 573 9042 www.tpbc.org.nz

Te Puke Healing & Spiritual Centre

Workshop: Robyn Teague on Face Reading, Constables Gallery, Commerce Lane, Te Puke 2-5pm. Cost $35, all welcome. Jill 573 7027 to book

Village Radio

Community radio broadcasting from Tauranga Historic Village 1368 kHz AM. Music of 1920's - 80's weekends 9am - 5pm, weekdays 10am - 5pm. Specialty programmes. www.villageradio.co.nz or 571 3710

Wish4Fish

Wish4Fish charity fishing competition. Briefing: Fri 4 Sept 7pm Saturday, Fishing: Fri 9pm – Sat 4pm. Weigh in Sat 5 Sept: 4-5.30pm. Prize giving: 7pm. Marble Bar, Gate Pa, Tauranga. Bryce@wish4fish.co.nz or 021 616 601. Entry fee $5pp or $150 per team (4 people max).