The 2023 Pony Club Queensland State Show Jumping Championships will soon be held in the region, giving local riders a chance to compete on their own turf against hundreds of competitors from across the nation.
The Bundaberg Horse and Pony Club will be hosting the event for the first time, from Sunday 2 April to Wednesday 5 April.
Secretary Jody Holt said around 300 competitors, plus their families and supporters from all over Queensland and New South Wales, were expected to descend on the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct.
“For four days competitors and their horses will compete in their individual age and height groups to find the best combination in Queensland,” she said.
“Competitors will range in age from under 12, right up to 25 years of age, and may be jumping up to heights of 140 cm.
“We expect at least 30 local competitors with at least a dozen more from the Burnett region.
“All up we hope to get at least 800 people, including competitors, their friends and families, to the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct.”
Jody said the event would consist of a range of competitions including jumping equitation.
“This is where riders and horses get marked for their style and technique while jumping over a round of show jumps with seven different height classes up to one metre,” she said.
“Then, the last two days is show jumping where riders and horses compete in three different types of jumping rounds.
“This competition has different height classes with the maximum height being 1.40 metres.
“There will be mounted presentation at the end of this competition in the centre ring of the precinct.”
Jody said the program would also include a category called Life After Racing.
“This will showcase the highest performing off-the-track thoroughbred in each class and discipline,” she said.
“It is a great addition as it highlights the many retired racehorses pony club members own and ride and we thank the Queensland Off The Track program for their sponsorship of these classes.”
Jody said the club was extremely excited to host the upcoming competition.
“Usually hosts get a year to plan this event but we have only five months,” she said.
“It's a lot of work but we are very excited to have this event come to Bundaberg and to show the wonderful facilities at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct.
“We would like to thank the Bundaberg Regional Council who have come onboard to help us make this event possible through the facility hire and other support.”
Jody said not only would the competition be a fantastic opportunity for local club members to participate, it was also great news for the region as a whole.
“This event will bring an influx of families and relatives to Bundaberg during the school holidays,” she said.
“These families will be spending time and money in our local community from tourist attractions, fuel, groceries, stockfeed stores, saddlery stores, restaurants and much more.
“To our local club members it gives a lot of them the opportunity to compete in their own backyard without the expense of travelling away.
“It has made our riders, along with our Pony Club instructors, strive to get qualified for a Queensland state competition, plus so many friendships will be made during this event.”
2023 Pony Club Queensland State Show Jumping Championships
- When: Sunday 2 April to Wednesday 5 April
- Where: Bundaberg Recreational Precinct, University Drive
- This event is free for spectators to attend.
