Minister’s intervention after state school children not allowed to compete under schools’ names at equestrian championships

The Education Minister has intervened after devastated state school students were banned by her department from representing their school at the annual Queensland equestrian championships.

Mrs Frampton has urged the government to reconsider. Picture: Supplied

The Education Minister has intervened after devastated state school students were banned by her department from representing their school at the equestrian state championships.

Just one week prior to the competition, parents of state school children were told they could only compete as individuals, with only private school students allowed to compete on behalf of their school.

Parents were sent stable allocation details in an email last week, prior to the start of the Hygain Interschool Queensland State Championships on June 26th.

Kelly Frampton, mum of 10-year-old competitor Lily Frampton, queried why her daughter was listed as “independent” on the stabling plan.

In an email chain seen by the Courier-Mail, Equestrian Queensland said the Queensland Department of Education had instructed schools to not allow their riders to represent state schools at equestrian activities.

Email response from Equestrian Queensland. Picture: Supplied

“Not what we want, however we have no choice in the matter,” the email said.

“Our conversations are ongoing. As this directive came during the competition season we are happy for riders to continue to ride in their school pad/equestrian team uniform, if you so choose not to, then we advise that a plain white saddle cloth must be worn.

“We are working towards a favourable outcome and hope that the 2024 season will have riders representing their schools once again.”

Multiple parents said there had been no communication informing parents about the change.

Mrs Frampton said her daughter was devastated she will no longer be able to represent her school at the competition.

“She’s not athletic and doesn’t win a lot of stuff,” she said. “This whole experience of representing the school she’s really got excited and has really great school spirit.”

Mrs Frampton's daughter, Lily Frampton and her horse. Picture: Supplied

“She has this beautiful school pride and the whole community has got behind the team.”

Mrs Frampton said parents paid for matching uniforms earlier this year.

“She said ‘if they tell me I can’t compete in my school uniform they’re going to have to eliminate me’,” Mrs Frampton said.

Another parent, Terrina, who asked for her surname to be withheld, said her nine-year-old daughter was also listed as independent on the stabling plan.

“We do other types of equestrian events where she rides independently, this is the one event where she rides as a team,” she said.

“Going to the competition but not being attached to any school is … weird.

Mrs Frampton has urged the government to reconsider. Picture: Supplied

“She didn’t understand why she couldn’t ride and represent her school.”

This was the first year her daughter’s school had put together an equestrian team.

Terrina described the situation as “disappointing.”

A mother who wished to remain anonymous said her 11-year-old daughter is also listed as independent.

“It certainly feels like discrimination,” she said.

“Surely we should be encouraging our children to set goals, work hard and achieve their best. “With the Olympics scheduled in 2032 right here in Queensland we should be encouraging competition and teamwork, not excluding children and making things available only for private schools.”

Mrs Frampton started a petition urging the Queensland Department of Education to reconsider the change, and it has already received over 1000 signatures in just two days.

The petition already has over 1000 signatures. Picture: change.org

Following a statement from the Department of Education that said “while horse riding and equestrian activities offer numerous benefits to riders and are integral to many Queensland communities, not every sport is recognised as a school representative sport,” Minister Grace Grace committed to overruling the position.

“Many state school students proudly represent their schools in a range of sports, and it’s something I am very supportive of,” she said in a statement.

“Following reports that students were being told they could not compete under their school name at the upcoming Equestrian Queensland state championships, I asked my Department to look into this matter.

“As a result, I can confirm state school children can represent their schools at any upcoming Equestrian Queensland events. The Department has already contacted Equestrian Queensland, who will be letting families know directly today.

“I’m pleased that this issue has now been resolved.”

Equestrian Queensland has been contacted for comment.