Statement re Australian Interschool Championships – Toowoomba 2020

In collaboration with Equestrian Australia (EA) and EA State Branches, Equestrian Queensland (EQ) has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships scheduled for 28 September –
3 October 2020 in Toowoomba, Queensland.

The decision to cancel the Australian Interschool Championships has been made due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 situation. We acknowledge that this decision will disappoint many families, members and particularly year 12 students, who have been looking forward to participating in their final Australian Interschool Championships competition. However, the decision also provides an opportunity for State Branches to plan and potentially deliver local and or state based interschool events in September/October 2020, that will support a greater number of interschool participants across Australia, subject to state government advice and public health directions.    

Equestrian Victoria (EV) and the Leader Equine Interschool Victoria Equestrian State Championships Committee, are pleased to advise that we are currently working to reschedule the previously cancelled April 2020 Leader Equine Interschool Victoria Equestrian State Championships to Werribee Park during the September School Holidays, subject to directions and advice from the relevant Victorian government agencies. Our commitment is to make the State Championships a marquee event on the 2020 calendar and provide our members and particularly our year 12 students, with a wonderful and memorable event in their final year.  

What we do know is that due to COVID-19, the 2020 Leader Equine Interschool Victoria Equestrian State Championships will be different to the State Championship events of previous years and we are pleased to confirm that the ISV committee and EV, have already commenced planning to ensure the best possible event and outcomes for all ISV participants in 2020. 

In the coming weeks, ISV will release further information about initiatives to support and encourage as many interschool members as possible to participate at the 2020 Leader Equine Interschool Victoria Equestrian State Championships.  These initiatives may include reducing qualifying requirements, whilst always considering the safety and welfare of riders and horses as paramount.  

We thank you for your continued support during this challenging period and we encourage members to contact the EV office on 9013 0707  or [email protected]  if we can be of any assistance.