Equestrian

Through the Bendigo Showgrounds Master Plan, the biggest and most active user group that sits hand-in-glove with the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society’s primary reason for existence has been absolutely and unceremoniously shafted.

Grong Grong Horse Sports Pty Ltd has put a proposal to the Narrandera Shire Council for a five year lease of the old Grong Grong Rodeo Grounds. The committee considers it a great space with so much room for growth and opportunity for the town of Grong Grong.

Riverina Police District is appealing for information to locate a stolen historic rodeo award from a 94-year-old competitor in Cootamundra. Police are investigating the theft of a historic solid silver and gold belt buckle, won 65 years ago at a rodeo in the United States by a Cootamundra man described as the world's oldest rodeo competitor.

State Government Sports infrastructure funding is being used to build a shed that was always intended to house produce stall holders and retail market activities at the Bendigo showgrounds, a planning document from 2019 has confirmed. The market shed is being built instead of a proposed multi-purpose sports pavilion that was to include changerooms, a function room, umpire rooms, toilets and kiosk on the opposite side of the arena in the equestrian precinct.

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...

The Jim Dunn Memorial Show continues to be a highlight of the South Australian equestrian calendar, embodying Jim's dedication to the sport and his belief in fostering talent within the community ... Jim’s contributions to the equestrian community have left an indelible mark, not only through his accomplishments as rider but also through his work in fostering and promoting show jumping and eventing alongside other equestrian disciplines.

When Greenmount resident and Clifton State High School's Year 11 student Ellie Stenzel stepped up to the microphone to make the opening address to the Equestrian Australia Board and the Olympic Committee in support of Toowoomba's bid to stage the Equestrian events she may not have realised the full importance of her speech to the future of equestrian events on the Downs.

Midland Zone Pony Club held a trials and combined training day at the Charlton Pony Club grounds on Sunday, March 30. With low rider numbers at the Charlton Pony Club, it was excellent to see the grounds and wonderful facilities being used by roughly sixty entrants from within the Midland catchment zone.

Who would have thought ping pong could get the Victorian Government into so much trouble. Amid developing controversy over plans to redevelop the Prince of Wales Showgrounds at Bendigo, damning testimony has come to light from a 2023 Federal Senate inquiry into the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games that was to be hosted by regional Victoria.

An exciting contest showcasing the mounted military skills of old such as tent pegging, skill-at-arms and stand-to-horse will get spectators’ blood racing when the 8th Light Horse Indi Upper Murray hosts the Lt Col Leslie Maygar Memorial Trophy at Walwa on Sunday, April 6th.

The Bendigo Showgrounds – home of the Victorian Agricultural Shows Saddle Horse Championships and many other state and national equestrian events – is to have the size of its arena cut significantly under a Victorian Government redevelopment of the site.

Allora was home to the annual Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival at the weekend. Competitors and spectators arrived from northern New South Wales and western areas of Queensland as well as many from the local region.

If it takes a village to raise a child then it also takes a massive team effort from the Cambooya Campdraft Association, Cambooya Pony Club, other local pony clubs, local businesses and politicians to successfully redevelop the Cambooya Recreation Ground into a first class equine facility.

Jenny Pollard. The dress code was “Relaxed Country” and the marketing called on race-goers to kit up in “Akubras and boots”. The 2025 Charlton Pacing Cup homed in on all things rural with the theme “We’re All Country” as patrons responded with gusto at last Sunday’s premier meet of the year.

Maldon and District Campdraft Club celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend over Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March, filled with horses, dust and riding challenges for all levels. The occasion inspired some reminiscing and a chance for some to reflect upon campdraft events in Maldon going back to the 1970s, while others were just focused on the competition!

Ty Manning. The 2025 Rising Star Show in South Australia brought together some of the country’s finest horses and riders, all vying for the opportunity to secure a spot at the 2026 Grand National Championships.

Peter Hibberd. The famous after party for the Mallee Bull Cups meeting at Birchip started early when H.R.V. stewards abandoned the last three races, for the health and safety of all concerned with continuous lightning in the local area.

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A group of Light Horse enthusiasts departed from Shepparton on Tuesday on a 700km trek to commemorate the birth and death of General Sir Harry Chauvel, one of Australia’s most distinguished and decorated army generals.

Entrants from across Australia flocked to Hay Showgrounds. There they threw their hats in the ring to compete for buckles and impressive cash prizes.

Peter Hibberd. Over the next three weekends the Boort, Birchip and Charlton Clubs will run their feature meetings with the running of their pacing and trotting cups ... On a very competitive day of racing, drivers Damian Wilson and Alex Ashwood took the driving honours with each having a double.

You have to admire an agricultural show that has been around since before the telegraph was connected. Crookwell in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales held its first show in 1879 and 146 years later it is still a showcase for the state’s finest horses.