The Australian Horse Riding Centres had its early beginnings in Victoria in the 1980s.
John Anker of Wandin Valley Riding Academy visited a number of other riding centres and discussed the foundation of an organization representing the commercial sector of the equestrian leisure industry. Soon after a sister body was formed in Western Australia and one or two years later the Queensland and NSW branches were initiated.

Being one of the founder members, it was important to me that the riding schools had their own voice. All members were actually qualified EFA instructors, but the EFA, representing the competitive arm of the sport, did not really see riding schools as part of their sphere of interest at that stage. However, through our personal link with the EFA of course as many of us served on committees of both organizations there was a general cooperation.

Why create an organization for riding schools? Aren’t we all flat out running our businesses and chasing the same customer dollar? Don’t we all feel that we are doing a good job, and if it comes to it, a little better than the next place?

Our idea was, that there was strength in numbers. Together we could help each other, by developing a training system that actually suited our needs, we could improve our operations. By putting standards in place we could set ourselves above Joe Blow from the “riding school” down the road. (Everyone could actually set up and call themselves a riding school).
We could influence the government, before they would step in and put unworkable conditions on our operations. We could talk to insurance companies and tell them that there is a difference between an AHRC approved centre and one that is not.

Of course a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. We have had an inquiry into riding schools in Queensland, resulting in a Code of Practice, an insurance crisis and now EI. But looking back, we have had these situations and AHRC has been heard at all levels. We represented the industry at the enquiry and made sure that the government requirements did not become unmanageable. We have reeled back from the insurance crisis, and due to our good record premiums have come down. Now in the EI crisis the AHRC again is working to obtain vaccinations for our horses.

Looking on from here I would like to say this: Membership is not always measurable in “bums on seats” and more income tomorrow. But sharing a common pride in our businesses, and supporting each other, comparing notes and finding solutions for similar problems, referring students to other schools if more convenient to them, shows the worlds that we are professionals in our field.

The old saying of “You get out what you put in” is as true as ever.

Marion Hartog
EFA Level I-General
AHRC Level II, Cert. IV Workplace Training & Assessing
RDA Level II, National Examiner
Advanced Diploma Business and Hospitality Management