Gold Coast Equestrian Club calls on council to give it a home after 20 years

A Gold Coast club has been “homeless” since their grounds were taken away from them in 1998 – now they want council to come up with the goods.

EQUESTRIANS may have been horsing around during the weekend but they are serious when they say they need a stable home.

Equestrian Gold Coast Club (EGCC) have been “homeless” since their grounds at Carrara were taken away from them in 1998.

President Jenny Dyson-Holland, 64, said equestrian was the “forgotten sport” that deserved to be recognised.

About 120 equestrians competed in the Winter Show Jump Spectacular event hosted by EGCC at the Oxenford Pony Club Grounds in Upper Coomera on Sunday.

Among the competitors was 2008 Beijing Olympian Peter McMahon as well as World Cup riders Tyrone Latham, Matt Afford, Stuart and Becky Jenkins and the Langbecker family.

Mrs Dyson-Holland considers equestrian to be a major event and said if they had a permanent club grounds, it would leave an economic impact.

“Look at what they’re doing in Europe – it’s huge,” she said. “We want to grow the sport and even make it international.

“If (council) could look past their noses, these huge events attract people and people spend money. It’s good for the economy.”

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Todd Lane and Watermark take part in the Winter Show Jump Spectacular at Oxenford on Sunday. Scott Powick Newscorp

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A Gold Coast City spokesperson said: “The City is actively working with Equestrian Gold Coast Club, Equestrian Queensland and other stakeholders to secure appropriate permanent grounds for the club.

“The Gold Coast welcomes events of all sizes and will continue working with Equestrian Queensland to determine the best approach for equestrian events.”

But Mrs Dyson-Holland said council had been making the same promise for 15 years.

“We’ve looked at land at Yatala and we had a council meeting,” she said. “There’s over 100 acres there but we just want 20 acres.

“It’s been very frustrating for our club as for 15 years we’ve been told this but nothing ever eventuates.”