New national program encourages horsing around in the playground

A new national children's equestrian program, Ready Set Trot, aims to get school aged children more involved with horses and equestrian sports.

A joint initiative of Equestrian Australia (EA), Pony Club Australia (PCA) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), Ready Set Trot aims to get more young people participating in equestrian sports and is designed to give young people more opportunity to have fun with horses whether it's at school or at a riding Club.

The Ready Set Trot schools' program is endorsed by the Australian Government's Active After-school Communities (AASC) program and aims to provide traditional playground games to schools with a horsey twist that will get young people active and excited about equestrian sports.

An additional eight session program run by Equestrian Clubs, Pony Clubs and riding schools also features as part of the Ready Set Trot program and will allow young people to further their horse skills, knowledge and ability through mounted games and activities.

Launched on Friday (1st March) at the Gooromon Park Riding School in the ACT, Federal Sports Minister Kate Lundy and Olympic silver medallist, event rider Megan Jones took students from Palmerston Primary School for a tour of the stables where many encountered a horse for the very first time.

The session saw students learn about a horse's features, being shown how to prepare a horse for riding and given a demonstration of the different paces that a horse travels at.

Senator Lundy said that Ready Set Trot program would provide children aged between five and 12 years with participation pathways to get involved in equestrian sports.

She expalined "the Ready Set Trot program is designed to provide more children with an opportunity to learn about equestrian sports in a safe, fun and controlled environment.

"Equestrian is a wonderful sport, but there are some barriers to participation with the costs associated with caring for, and maintaining a horse. What's great about this program is that more children will be introduced to equestrian through games-based activities because you do not need to own a horse to take part.

"Ready Set Trot is a great initiative providing participation pathways for young students to follow in the footsteps of Australia's elite riders like Shane Rose, who started riding at the age of five and went onto fulfil his Olympic dream and a win a silver medal at the Beijing Games."

With an Olympic silver medal and a host of other international accomplishments to his name, Shane Rose is one of the world's best event riders but growing up it was on the rugby field where he thought his future may rest.

Rose had dreams of playing for the Wallabies but he couldn't ignore his passion for horses which developed through Pony Club so when he finished high school Rose decided to pursue a career in eventing.

He recalls "I was a long-time member of Pony Club and it was there I found my love of riding and learned the basic principles of horsemanship.

"Ready Set Trot gives young people a taste of our sport and hopefully they will enjoy the experience and continue with riding lessons or go on to join their local equestrian or pony club once they've completed the program.

"The program is a great way to get more young people experiencing equestrian. I hope it inspires a new generation of young riders to take up the reins."

For more information go to www.readysettrot.com

21st March 2011 - BRISBANE RACING CLUB NOT HORSING AROUND WITH RECYCLING