Toowoomba Equestrian Centre to be developed at the Toowoomba Showgrounds will benefit the entire region during and post the Olympics.

The Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ) CEO Damon Phillips says the project will leave our region with an equestrian centre capable of delivering national and international level events for a wide range of disciplines, including the Olympic equestrian sports.

The nationally significant project aims to fill identified state and national gaps in equestrian facility provision. In Queensland, there are currently no competition facilities with international-level equestrian surfaces. Across Australia, there are very few facilities of sufficient scale and quality to host national equestrian championships. Filling this demand will keep talent and competition in Queensland and grow the equestrian industry and support athlete pathways.

Allora’s Mark (Max) Mason has been heavily involved in his role as Olympics Strategy Project Manager for Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE).

Mr Mason said the region has significant local capability and capacity to do the heavy lifting for both the development of the infrastructure build and the delivery of The Games.

“We, as a region, have worked very hard together to bring this vision to life and we look forward to meeting with the key stakeholders in the coming days and weeks to chart a course that delivers the best possible outcomes for our region and Queensland as a whole.” Mr Mason said.

President of the Allora Show Society Carol Lyall is super excited following the announcement of Toowoomba to host the Equestrian events at the Brisbane Olympics.

Carol congratulates all those involved over many years to make this dream a reality.

The economic growth for Toowoomba and the region cannot be underestimated.

As Allora is already the grass roots for all types of horse sports Carol believes the Community should see major benefits during and after the Olympics.

Carol, like so many others, is looking forward to seeing the future plans for the Toowoomba Equestrian Centre.

This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 2 April 2025.