UQ Gatton is set to become the coaching development and educational centre for the horse industry with the Equestrian Federation of Australia Queensland Branch relocating its headquarters to The University of Queensland campus.
The Federation has transferred its operations from Brisbane and will move into the Rural Extension Centre building when a multi-million-dollar upgrade of campus facilities is completed.
The EFA is the largest non-racing horse sports body in Queensland with 2400 members State wide and a large constituency of affiliated clubs and organisations.
The move will complement an extensive equine educational program at UQ Gatton and make use of established facilities at the University. A new indoor arena and stabling complex established by Gatton Shire Council will also feature in development plans.
The Federation's Queensland chief executive officer, Randall Upton, said the new headquarters were centrally located to service the horse industry.
'UQ Gatton already has a great reputation and our base here will be complementary. It's a real win-win situation,' he said.
The EFA was established in the 1950s as the body responsible for Olympic and international event participation but has expanded its influence considerably and now covers eight disciplines including endurance riding and western sports.
Wide-ranging activities undertaken by the EFA include administration, setting and monitoring of standards, training and coaching. With educational provider status, the Federation is expected to play an active role in University programs.
Mr Upton said the EFA had been granted access to the University information and communications system and would develop valuable on-line services for the horse industry.
The Executive Dean of the University's Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Professor Roger Swift, said the EFA move would help to optimise the use of equine facilities which were a substantial investment at Gatton.
'We are delighted the Federation has chosen to co-locate onto the Campus. This opens up opportunities for new areas of collaboration.'
Professor Swift also said the University hoped to be taking more initiatives like this in the future.
Equine Group Leader at UQ Gatton, Mark Hohenhaus, said having the Equestrian Federation based on campus was a great outcome for the University. Dr Hohenhaus, who is also President of the Queensland Horse Council Inc., said a close working relationship would bring many benefits.
'It makes sense to fully utilise the facilities we are developing at UQ Gatton, especially since our students are not on campus 52 weeks of the year. We are looking forward to Gatton becoming the training and examination centre for the horse industry in this State,' Dr Hohenhaus said.
Media: For further information, contact Randall Upton (telephone 07 5460 1019, mobile 0408 767 441) or Mark Hohenhaus (telephone 07 5460 1260).
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