New Facilities Investment Fund Launches in 2024

Equestrian Queensland (EQ) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new facilities investment fund in 2024.  The EQ Facilities Investment Fund has been created in alignment with the EQ 2023-2025 Strategic Plan as an opportunity to support EQ affiliates to deliver facility improvement projects.

Under the EQ Facilities Investment Fund, affiliated clubs and organisations can access funding from EQ for facility projects that are aligned to the EQ Statewide Facilities Plan 2019-2028 under an agreement whereby the funding provided by EQ will be paid back over a period of time.

EQ Chair, Nicholas Ballard said ‘The safety and welfare of members and horses is a key priority for EQ and the new fund will support EQ affiliated clubs and venues with improving the quality and standard of equestrian facilities in Queensland'.

EQ affiliated clubs and organisations are invited to express interest via the online EOI registration form below. Projects will be prioritised based on their alignment with the EQ Preferred Facility Standards and supporting data identified in the EQ Statewide Facilities Plan 2019-2028.

‘As members may be aware, over the past two years EQ has committed to utilising its strong surplus position to support the continued development and suitability of equestrian facilities in Queensland. We are confident that the new EQ Facilities Investment Fund will support the delivery of facility improvement projects whilst EQ continues to work with government and stakeholders to deliver an international standard facility as a legacy for the equestrian community’ said EQ CEO, Briston Toft.

Expression of interest registrations will close at 4:30pm, 5 March 2024.

EQ Facilities Investment Fund EOI Registration

Further, EQ is pleased to advise that the first project to be funded under the EQ Facilities Investment Fund will be the installation of three 60m x 20m waxed synthetic arena surfaces at PRARG at Skerman Park, North Maclean in partnership with Dressage Queensland (DQ), Park Ridge Active Riding Group (PRARG) and Martin Collins Australia.

‘Over the past five years the DQ committee have been striving to deliver superior surfaces to our riders in Queensland. After many meetings, many ideas and lots of volunteer hours, we can finally say we will be delivering on our commitment and in 2024 DQ will begin transitioning all our Riders Sub Committee events to the PRARG grounds’ said Anita Barton, DQ Chair.

Kay Paulsen, PRARG President said ‘We are excited to be partnering with EQ and DQ to deliver high quality riding surfaces at our venue.  We have big plans for our venue which also includes the installation of a new indoor arena subject to grant funding'

In addition, EQ is pleased to advise that it is currently working closely with the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (Toowoomba Showgrounds) and local affiliated clubs to support surface improvement works at the Toowoomba Showground in the near future. A further update about this exciting project will be provided in the coming months. 

Please contact Equestrian Queensland on (07) 3891 6611 or email [email protected] for further information about the EQ Facilities Investment Fund.