Club of the Moment: ACT Showjumping Club

The ACT Showjumping Club is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the sport of showjumping within the Canberra region of Australia.

The club first started in the 80’s and incorporated in 1993. Its managed and operated by volunteers. They host regular training days, competitions, instructional clinics and social events. The club also supports the activities of other equestrian organisations within the region.

The ACT Showjumping Club currently has over 250 members, consisting of individuals and families. Riders of all levels of experience are welcome and members range from showjumping professionals to absolute beginners. Showjumping enthusiasts without a horse of their own are also invited to participate in club activities.

Horsezone caught up with Peter Core, Vice-President of the ACT Showjumping Club to find out more about this active and innovative club...

Peter, what sort of people would enjoy being members the ACT Showjumping Club?

The Club caters to all levels of show jumping and at our events we regularly run three rings that range from cross rails through to 1.40m. We are not only an adult riding club, we cater for children and families as well as adult learners, right through to professional riders. The club is for people of all ages and all levels. In the southern part of the state we are probably the largest showjumping club, with members from Bega, Berridale to Young.

What is the Club's biggest event of the year?

The ACT Showjumping Cup, which was held on 5-7 October this year. This event featured in excess of 350 horses, around 200 riders and 1500 rounds across three rings, over three days and was highly successful. In the past, the Club hosted the National Showjumping Championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010 but we found hosting this event each year a bit of a strain on resources, so we introduced the ACT Showjumping Cup in 2011.

Next year we'll be holding the Centennial Cup, in celebration of the 100 years since Canberra was established. The Club has received some Government funding for the Centennial Cup which will help us put up some good prize money. It should help ensure this is another big event.

In addition to the events the Club runs, we also support a lot of other Clubs and events in the region, by providing showjumping gear to many local shows such as Cooma, Yass and even the Royal Canberra Show.

As a Club we now have enough gear to run 3 rings with the associated trailers for transport etc. It’s been a big job getting to that position and an even bigger job now maintaining it!

 

The Club runs several clinics each year, which are the most popular? 

All clinics run by the club are well attended. In the recent past, we've had top riders like Gavin Chester and Guy Creighton as instructors at clinics, which were very popular. Recently we conducted a round robin style clinic with experienced senior riders from the club as instructors such as Tim Dreverman, Grant Hughes Fiona De La Mezzo and Stephen Dingwall and this was very well received by club members. It helped us raise $4000 that we put into the ACT Show Jumping Cup. We also run clinics for course designing and every second year run a judges clinic. These are great for keeping everyone up to speed and are usually well attended. As a Club we can’t forget the training for Officials - because no judge or course designer-  no competition.

Young rising stars in the Club?

We've got many young members who are coming forward and placing in good company and also a heap of improvers in the sport. Some of our young riders who doing very well and winning in huge classes are Emma Hughes, Isabella Stone, Stephanie Davies, Rachel Vella, Jody Hughes and Michael Cross to name a few. But it’s hard to mention specific names because I’ve probably forgotten the obvious!

Success stories from the Club?

Stephen and Niki Dingwall are emerging as well recognised senior riders. Jamie Grant is a past Bega Cup winner, while Grant Hughes is always very successful. And there’s Jess Grant and Clint Beresford as well. These are just a few people from our club who are very solid and very competitive anywhere in 1.30m plus events. Nearly all worked their way up through the ACT Showjumping Club. Both Jamie and Clint have come up from the Bega district so their success should be credited to the Bega Showjumping Club pretty much. As a Club it’s pretty hard to draw a line because we work in pretty closely with each other in this part of the State.

How are you finding being integrated with Horsezone (is it helpful for members, would you recommend it to other clubs etc)?  

It’s very early days but I’m really keen on the idea. It’s a win win for all of us. Even oldies like me can see how important web technologies are to communications and most of us are now either selling or buying over the net. Teaming up with Horsezone will strengthen our Club website and help all of us find that elusive dream. There’s also a financial benefit for the Club which is great.

Thank you so much for your time Peter and we look forward to hearing more great things about the ACT Showjumping Club!

Raise More $$ For Your Club

Are you looking to raise more funds for your Club? Be like the ACT Showjumping Club and take advantage of Horsezone’s offer of a fundraising opportunity - 10% of products listing fee for all listings placed by your members! Click here to find out more about how the Club Contribution Scheme works and to register your Club. When you register with Horsezone, to help raise more funds, you can also integrate our comprehensive sales listings into your Club's website, as ACT Showjumping Club have done. Integration encourages members to list stallions at stud, horses, floats or gear for sale with Horsezone and in turn donate 10% of their listing fees back to the Club. To make life easier for members, they can view suitable horses for sale on Horsezone simply by visiting their club's website. If you'd like to go ahead with integration, simply email jenny@horsezone.com.au with the search criteria for the breed/discipline of horses you would like to appear on your site. It’s super easy to set up – add it to your existing classifieds/for sale page or save the hassle of setting one up and use our comprehensive sales site! Integration is currently used by many clubs Australia-wide. Click here to see it in action on the ACT Showjumping Club website.

Quick Links

• Visit the ACT Showjuming Club to find out more about the Club and read their comprehensive newsletters
• View showjumping horses for sale on Horsezone