4 minute read
Spring into equestrian excellence
Photograph Provided by Campbell Jones
Did you know that spring is when many of Australia’s biggest and best equestrian events are held? Here’s our pick of some fantastic competitions, country shows, campdrafts and rodeos to check out across the ACT and NSW.
Events
September
● 5-7th: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) will host the 2025 ACT & Southern NSW Show Horse Championships, run by the Show Horse Council of Australia. The event includes competitions in various show horse categories and riding classes.
● 12-14th: Marrar Madness, located just north of Wagga Wagga, is a three-day campdraft and rodeo with a full calendar including steer wrestling, live music, trade stalls, food trucks and carnival rides.
● 18-21st: Willinga Park near the South Coast’s Bawley Point, is hosting its annual four-day showjumping event. It is one of the industry’s premier events that attracts the nation’s top equestrian talent.
● 27-28th: The ACT Dressage Association will host an official competition weekend.
October
● 4th: Add the 99th Bribbaree Show to your spring calendar. Expect fantastic horse events for all ages, plus livestock exhibits, arts and crafts, crop competitions and everything you love about a country show.
● 5th: The Young Horse Show is a fantastic event that showcases talented horses and riders across various disciplines like dressage, showjumping and group riding.
● 5th: Cowra’s Morongla Show will return for its 107th year, featuring all your favourite country exhibits and stalls, including a jam-packed schedule of horse events.
● 10-12th: The Battle of the Bidgee is a three-day horse event held on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River in Gundagai. This great event showcases Australia’s finest stockmen and women, and attracts visitors from all over the country.
● 23-25th: The ACT Dressage Association will host the Australian Masters Games.
● 26th: At the one-day Bungendore Show, you can expect all the typical family fun of a local show, with champion animals, arts and crafts, and a horse program you shouldn’t miss.
November
● 2nd: The Bungendore Rodeo returns for another year to celebrate cowboy culture, rodeo sports, amazing animal athletes and family entertainment.
● 8-9th: This year’s 128th Queanbeyan Show is set to deliver fun for all ages, with a horse schedule that includes showjumping, sporting, time trials, and a Brumby challenge.
● 14-16th: The ACT Dressage Association will host the ACT Dressage Championships.
● 23rd: The Yass Rodeo is back again with thrilling events, including bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and many other attractions. Don’t miss this free family event.
Where To Ride
The ACT is home to over 500km of designated horse trails, from parts of Mt Stromlo, Mt Majura and Mt Ainslie, several reserves within Canberra Nature Park like Cooleman Ridge and Dunlop Grasslands, Pinnacle Nature Reserve, and the National Arboretum.
The NSW South Coast is also home to hundreds of kilometres of trails scattered through lush national parks, charming coastal towns and along serene beaches. Bawley Point is a popular location for riding with a range of well-marked trails through dense bushland and coastal scenery, suitable for all experience levels.
For young families with horses, there are many local pony clubs across the ACT and around the NSW South Coast. There are also many adult riding clubs, many of which hold monthly rallies and training days, and offer group and private lessons.
Supplies
Where to go for equipment, clothing, feed, repairs, float hire and all things equestrian.
● Horseland, Fyshwick ACT.
● Glen Mia Saddlery, Thoroughbred Park, ACT + mobile shop.
● Saddleworld, Queanbeyan and Shoalhaven, NSW.
● The Horse Rug Whisperer, Murrumbateman NSW.
● Canberra Stockfeeds, Hall NSW.
● Turnbulls Fuel & Produce, Moruya NSW.
● Petstock, Batemans Bay, NSW.
