This one’s for the Aussie COTHers…
I just got an informal job offer to live and work in Brisbane. What is the horse scene like there? A quick google search revealed a couple pony clubs but are there any H/J facilities with a lesson program or option to part lease?
Thanks
I’m in NSW but have very little idea about the QLD horse scene, you may be best suited to check out the horseyard.com.au forum or look for a Brisbane horsey FB group.
Have you lived in Australia before? IMO our equestrian culture in general is different to the North American one. Boarding facilities that include training programs aren’t the norm, unless you have have big $$$.
Good luck 
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I am in South Australia atm but looking to move to QLD soonish. Hunters aren’t a thing in Oz but I believe there are some very good jumper trainers around the Brisbane area…not many of them would have horses you could lesson on though.
Part leases aren’t really done much either but you might be lucky and find someone whose horse needs more work who would let you ride regularly.
On the plus side horses are relatively cheap to buy and keep although most agistment (boarding) places are primarily DIY.
Good Luck
I see.
What about riding schools? Would they be Jumper or more of a general riding facility? I know of royals near the CBD… But they’re website doesn’t really say much about them.
From what I know most riding schools would be general facilities. While they would probably offer jumping it would be of a fairly low level.
I believe there is a riding school in the CBD but I don’t know much about them sorry. Mostly I think you would have to get out of the city by at least an hour or so.
I agree with others, riding schools tend to be general facilities and you will likely have to go farther out to somewhere like Caboolture, Ipswich, etc.
Where you go will depend on where you live/work. Brisbane traffic is pretty awful but I do know people who live on their own acreage and commute into the city. Also note that in terms of competitions and the horse scene more generally, the “local” scene would encompass everywhere from the Gold Coast up to the Sunshine Coast. The state equestrian centre is in Caboolture, just north of Brisbane. That’s only about 40 mins from Brisbane airport (which is south of the city centre). If you’re willing to go an hour away you would have more options.
One big change will be the weather. What Queenslanders call winter is more like what many parts of the world call summer - nice riding weather. On the other hand, summer ranges from unrelenting heat and humidity to torrential storms. Instead of snow days, you’ll get cyclone days off work. So be prepared to ride early in the morning, or in the dark (no daylight savings!) to beat the heat, and to cancel when it rains non-stop for several days.
I am near Brisbane.
The things that I read on the forum do not happen here.
In Qld adults are allowed to join ponyclub. There are also adult groups like the Park Ridge Adult Riding Group.
QSEC is where the Horse Festival is each year and you can google that for events and clinics.
Dalson Park Riding School is at Slacks Creek they do have low level jumping lessons on school horses or your own.
You look up Instructors here and Agistment. There is full time Agistment and there is do it yourself Agistment. Horses can live out 24/7 on grass or you can pay for stables depending on where you are and what you want.
Basically you ride and train your own horse and have lessons. Or you can send a horse to a trainer. It is better to go into a Produce or Saddlery Store near where you are and ask what is near there for you.
We have Showjumping and Jumping Equitation. I think you will find horses cheap over here. I saw a lovely dressage mare advertised the other day for $2,000.00
From what I have seen Hunter Jumpers appear on the forehand and not forward compared to a Jumping Equitation horse.
The Royals is the Royal Show in each State you have to qualify at Local Shows to be elligible to go.
There are no shows that go for a week as far as I know. We do have 3DE. The Royals go for a week but that is all types of horse showing not the same one every day.
There is Showjumping, Jumping Equitation, Combined Training, ODE, 3DE, Dressage and Gymkhanas for English. You will have to ask someone else about show horses or Western Shows.
Part leases are not really a usual think here either. A full lease yes. It wouldn’t hurt to ask at your local Produce or riding school.
