Maryborough hosting equestrian state championships

The Fraser Coast will host hundreds of the best horse riders in Queensland over the long weekend for the 2023 Jumping Queensland State Championships.

Deputy Mayor Denis Chapman said the Fraser Coast was stamping itself as a leading events destination, hosting multiple large state sporting events and a string of major community events.

“We are excited to welcome the 2023 Jumping Queensland State Championships to the Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park from 30 September to 2 October,” he said.

“Events like this provide a great boost to our local economy as it means people stay with our local accommodation providers, spend money with local businesses and visit our local restaurants and cafes.

“The state championships will also be a fantastic showcase of our wonderful facilities at the Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park.”

Event organiser Lyndal Roos said the Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park was one of Queensland's best equestrian competition venues.

“The location offers a more accessible venue for all Queensland riders, with enough stables and competition areas to allow for the influx of over 200 competitors,” she said.

“Some of the best riders in our state will be competing for top honours in seven different championship classes, from our young riders and juniors up to the more experienced senior championship.

“There are competitors such as Australian Olympian Billy Ramont, one of our local heroes from the Sunshine Coast who has ridden around the world and represented Australia on multiple national, young rider and senior teams.

“The event is open to the public and admission is free for the whole family to attend. Grab a bite to eat and watch some top-level show jumping competition over the three days.”

Cr Chapman said the Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park was well-known as the venue for the annual Fraser Coast Show, but it also hosted events such as the Regional Disability Expo, Queensland Cuboree, Fraser Coast Expo, artisan markets and a Rotary driver awareness program.

“About 5500 riders and horses attended more than 130 equestrian events at the venue in 2022/23, while casual riders have access to the stables, arenas, horse play and cross-country areas when not booked for private use,” he said.

“The facility boasts over 230 stables and yards, making it the perfect place for larger format equestrian events like the Jumping Queensland State Championships.”

In jumping competitions, the horse and their rider are required to complete a course of 10 to 13 jumps to test their skill, accuracy and training, with the aim of making no mistakes.

Penalties are accumulated if any part of an obstacle is knocked down or the horse refuses a jump. The winner is the horse and rider combination that incurs the least number of penalties, completes the course in the fastest time or gains the highest number of points, depending on the type of competition.

The event has come together under the banner of Equestrian Queensland with the Jumping Queensland Sport Committee, a small but dedicated group of volunteers working hard to ensure the competition's success.

“The team at Equestrian Queensland are very much looking forward to being a part of this premier jumping event and we thank Jumping Queensland for all their hard work in putting together the preparations,” said Equestrian Queensland CEO Briston Toft.

For more information, go to the official event webpage - https://www.qld.equestrian.org.au/events/qld-state-jumping-championships or the Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/Jumpingqueenslandstatechampionships2023