Horses back on Malabar Headland, with new $2m equestrian club
It’s been close to eight years but the battle to have horses back on the Malabar Headland has been won.
The long battle to return horses to the Malabar headland has been won, putting the reins on one of the southeast Sydney’s most politically-charged arenas.
In October 2011, tears were flowing as several riding groups, under the umbrella of the South East Equestrian Club, were evicted from the headland to make way for the former Labor government’s plans to transform a partially contaminated area into a national park and public open space.
From the outset the return of the horses to the headland has been a hot-button issue with fears the headland was being sized-up for future development and promises being fired off from all sides of politics.
South East Equestrian Centre secretary Donna Wright said the horse riders were driving around with bumper stickers screaming “horses not houses” for years and the battle was so hard fought it was hard to believe it is over — but it is.
In March 2015, then environment minister Greg Hunt stood overlooking the Malabar Headland declaring “this land will be in public hands forever”, and on Friday Mr Hunt, who is now federal Health Minister, was back on the headland to oversee the return of the horses and to officially open the new $2 million South East Equestrian Club in Malabar.
The new centre, that sites 800m west of the former horse riding school on the western side of the national park, boasts new facilities including cart track, 15 day yards, a jump arena and a dressage arena with lights.
Ms Wright said the South East Equestrian Club was granted a temporary home on Franklin St at Matraville in December 2011 but were limited in what they could do with no running water, electricity or toilets.
Vet Michelle Frampton said from a vet’s perspective it was a huge bonus to have electricity and running water as well as a flat, concrete area where she could examine the horses.
She also loves seeing the horses back on grass, with the sand surface of the temporary site also posing problems.
“It’s priceless,” she said of the return of the horses to the headland.
“My own pony suffered a couple of abscesses from the sand during the horrible rain, so personally it has been amazing.”
South East Equestrian Club chief instructor Carissa Holmes said the new centre was already at capacity with 15 horses, including complete beginners who have never ridden before.
She said everyone was happy to be back on the Malabar Headland but the current lease means they are constrained to a fenced in area and there was hope that one day they would ride the headland trails again.
One of the riding groups back on the headland is Riding for the Disabled (NSW).
Director Olwen Smith said the new facilities would allow an increased number of disabled people the chance to participate in equine therapy.
“I’m incredibly proud to see the South East Equestrian Centre open,” Ms Smith said.
“Equine therapy has helped so many in the disabled community make tremendous progress.
“It’s absolutely magic when a disabled person, who doesn’t communicate at all, suddenly realises they can steer a horse around a flag. It’s such a positive thing.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Stars of NSW Waratahs A team’s workout against Brumbies Runners
A road trip has freshened up some of the rising stars of rugby ahead of two crucial outings - the Waratahs second game of Super Rugby Pacific and Tahs U20 match trials. Stars and standouts
‘Not going to walk into a position’: Super Rugby W readies for Sevens superstars
Super Rugby women’s expansion plans are on the table as the 2025 competition prepares for an invasion of Sevens superstars hunting Wallaroos spots and players determined to thwart them.