Redlands and Southern Districts Equestrian Group are inviting spectators to support their local riders at their upcoming dressage competition at Thornlands’ Pinkland Sporting Complex.
About 30 members and Equestrian Queensland competitors will make their way to attend the Members and Participants Day on July 15 from 8am.
Treasurer Jan Sturgess said attendees could experience a relaxed atmosphere underneath the trees and watch horses and riders warm up near the cafe onsite before heading to the arenas.
“There will be two arenas where the competition will be held with one to two judges viewing people riding a dressage test and each test taking about seven minutes to complete the movements,” she said.
Member Emma Churchill said the event was a great way for those considering riding or were new to dressage.
RASDEG holds monthly competitions as well as clinics and coaching classes to help members improve their riding skills.
The club has a long history, which dates back to 44 years ago when Lorraine Crowther and Bob Bull began the group, once known as Southern Districts Equestrian Group.
The duo were members of the Brisbane Active Riders Group at Brookfield but were keen to establish an equestrian club on Brisbane’s south side, knowing that there were many riders in need of a club to join.
They then decided the south-east corner of Brisbane was a good place to start and ran an advertisement in a paper to hold a meeting.
The club was initiated after Ms Crowther and Mr Bull were pleasantly surprised at the number of people who showed interest at the meeting.
Life member Wendy Tidbold said after many venue changes on the south side, the club moved to the Redlands in 1989 and riders began competing in agricultural shows and local festivals.
“Pine Lodge was a hive of equestrian activity in those days always had a lot of shows and competitions occurring in the indoor arena,” she said.
“At that time, there was a small brick building on the hill with a toilet, if you could call it that, amid the spiders, rubbish… that’s where I cleared my first show jumping course riding side saddle.”
Ms Tidbold said dressage days at Rocklea Showgrounds were some of the biggest days ever as people would come from far and wide to compete with recent events being no different.
Ms Sturgess said RASDEG continued to be a friendly and inclusive club and urged people to continue to help them thrive in the area with their support.
Visit rasdeg@rasdeg.org.au to join or for more information on mid-year membership prices.
Jocelyn Garcia
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
