Caboolture Dressage is back in the saddle!

The sand on the outdoor arenas at the Caboolture Dressage Group’s home at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre hadn’t been replaced for over 15 years.  It had deteriorated thoroughly over the years, holding excess water incapable of draining away.  This made the arenas unsafe and extremely uncomfortable to compete on, particularly after heavy rainfall.

The club’s committee saw the opportunity to upgrade their facilities for club members and applied for funding to replace the sand under category 2 of the Active Restart Infrastructure Recovery Fund.

The fund provides not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations with targeted funding to help the sport and active recreation industry to deliver quality activities and services as part of recovery efforts as part of Queensland Government’s Roadmap to ensuring restrictions to support return to play as early as possible and provide local economic stimulus.

Despite the best intentions, the facility upgrade was not without its challenges. Periods of heavy rainfall continually delayed the installation and the COVID-19 pandemic presented some additional challenges in engaging a contractor and a shortage of suitable sand .

Despite a slow start and after being granted a three-month extension, the committee was finally able to locate a local contractor to complete the work, just in time for the winter series and a junior training camp.

The sand has been replaced and the arenas are fully operational, and the committee, members and horses have never been happier.

Club President, Karen Herald said her club now has some of the best outdoor sand arenas in Queensland.

“We have so many exciting events coming up, including the winter series covering four events and our junior camp to be held in September.

“Our upgraded arena is going to be well used and very much appreciated by our members and the horses,” she said.