Bond University has partnered with the largest pony club in Queensland, Tallebudgera Pony Club (TPC), to provide opportunities for its students and other young adults throughout Queensland to ride and compete at state-of-the-art equestrian facilities.
The equestrian club facilities, located in Tallebudgera, have recently undergone a major upgrade featuring a 30m x 80m undercover arena to be known as the 'Bond University Indoor Arena' and 20+ covered yards as part of a $400,000 revamp.
The ‘Bond University Indoor Arena’ is the only covered area with state of the art, Olympic Grade Soiltex surface for pony club riders in Queensland.
The new facilities have been endorsed by Equestrian Australia High Performance Manager, Chriss Webb and local Councillor Chris Robbins.
The TPC partnership will allow Bond to host numerous events throughout the year for riders of all ages and all abilities, as well as provide its students with access to development opportunities with internationally-recognised coaches and internship placements.
It will also provide an opportunity for Bond academics and students to conduct research with TPC members.
The President of Tallebudgera Pony Club, Dr Ping Jaa, said the partnership marked an exciting milestone in the Club’s 52 year history.
“We have been a proud supporter of Bond University through its Equestrian Club for some time, with their riders attending our coaching clinics and the club holding events here at our grounds,” Dr Jaa said.
“We are very excited about the new opportunities this partnership will offer.”
Bond University’s Executive Director of Sport, Garry Nucifora said he was pleased to take Bond’s association with Tallebudgera Pony Club to the ‘next level’.
“The University has been involved in equestrian through our Club and our elite athlete program for several years now,” Mr Nucifora said.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to extend this support to Queensland’s broader equestrian community through the Tallebudgera Pony Club partnership.”
The University currently has six Equestrian riders in its Bond Elite Sport Program (BESP), which supports elite athletes who compete and achieve at a state, national and international level, in the balanced pursuit of their academic and sporting goals.
Georgia Taylor, President of the Bond University Equestrian Club and BESP athlete said the club welcomed the opportunity to strengthen its ties with Tallebudgera.
“There is a great and natural fit between Bond and the Tallebudgera Pony Club and we were very excited to see the two organisations formalise their relationship,” she said.
Up to 10 riders from Bond University’s Equestrian Club, including two alumni and 1 international student, will compete this Sunday in the Tallebudgera Pony Club’s first event for the year - the Bond University Showjumping Championships.
This event will see around 150 riders from across Queensland come together to compete in their respective Showjumping height classes.
Spectators are welcome to come along to watch the action which will commence at 9am at Tallebudgera Pony Club which is located at 29 Andrews Road, Tallebudgera.