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The following strategy has been developed from the perspective of the ACTEA having a key co-ordinating role in the planning of competition and showing facilities, but also recognises that decisions relating to many of these facilities rest with member clubs or commercial operators, and lie beyond its direct control. The

ACTEA nevertheless provides an important connection between the owners and the users of these facilities.

Some elements of the strategy extend beyond the immediate area of facilities, and relate to wider issues within the responsibilities of the ACTEA.

The main elements of the ACTEA strategy for competition and showing facilities are as follows:

1. The provision of competition and showing facilities for the foreseeable future will be based on the upgrading of existing facilities rather than the provision of a new facility.
2. The first priority for the upgrading of competition facilities will be at Equestrian Park because of the interest and investment that the ACTEA and several of its clubs already have in this area, and the opportunity for expanding its role to further serve the interests of the Canberra equestrian community as a whole.
3. The second priority will be to support actions by the ACT Government to upgrade equestrian facilities at EPIC, in recognition of the important role of EPIC for several of the breed societies, and its potential future role for occasional high profile competitions.
4. The Hall Showground precinct, Canberra Riding Club and other pony clubs will all be of lower priority, but will nevertheless be supported by the ACTEA for future upgrading on a case-by-case basis.
5. The development of Equestrian Park will be in accordance with the master plan prepared by Michael Creber, with a view to increasing the range of uses, particularly dressage. The development will be incremental in accordance with the availability of funding and other resources. The details of staging will be subject to regular review by the ACTEA, in consultation with the ACT Government.
6. The ACTEA will support focusing any development of the Hall Showground precinct on the needs of existing users. It supports upgrading facilities at the Hall Pony Club and the expansion and formalisation of the polocrosse playing field complex. It acknowledges the desire of Hall residents to maintain lowkey equestrian facilities within an open space buffer around the village, and does not see a need for major buildings such as stable complexes.
7. The ACTEA will support maintaining Canberra Riding Club as a pony club and a venue for hire by other clubs. While it supports upgrading of facilities on the site, it acknowledges that development and management of the site is primarily the responsibility of Canberra Riding Club itself. Any greater level of involvement by the ACTEA will be subject to a request from Canberra Riding Club in the first instance, and will be considered in the context of available resources and other priorities.
8. 8. The ACTEA will seek to participate in the current master plan review for EPIC with a view to:
   1. seeking to develop a more satisfactory arrangement for sharing the main arena with other uses;
   2. investigating the provision of an indoor arena suitable for reining and other compatible activities, which may include non-equestrian uses; and
   3. maintaining a high capacity stable complex and camping facilities.
9. The ACTEA will seek to establish the management of Equestrian Park on a long-term professional basis, having regard to the proposals in the Equestrian Park Master Plan.
10. The ACTEA will support the role of relevant clubs (in particular the Hall Pony Club and the Hall Polocrosse Club) in the management of the Hall Showground precinct, but will not seek an active role for itself in this respect.
11. The ACTEA will support the development of existing pony clubs in general by facilitating partnership arrangements with other clubs with stronger adult membership, insofar as this is achievable within the constraints imposed by lease conditions of pony club sites and the rules of the Pony Club of New South Wales. It will support the growth of existing pony clubs to improve their viability in preference to the establishment of new clubs.
12. The ACTEA will support the development and maintenance of limited training facilities associated with government horse paddocks, provided that funding of these facilities does not conflict with BSR capital funding for other higher priority projects. To facilitate the basis for this support, it will encourage the formal affiliation of paddock groups with the ACTEA.
13. The ACTEA will support the improvement of Equestrian Park for dressage activities in accordance with the Equestrian Park Master Plan, and will support its use as a home ground for the ACT Dressage Association.
14. Should any other clubs, including breed societies, which do not currently have a home ground see a need for one, the ACTEA will support them in principle, provided that there is no conflict with other aspects of the strategic plan. The ACTEA recognises that the choice of home ground is primarily a decision for each club.
15. The ACTEA will endeavour to fund the development and management of Equestrian Park through a combination of increased internal funding and seeking ACT Government grants and commercial sponsorship. The ongoing implementation of the Equestrian Park Master Plan will specifically address funding requirements in detail and will review these on a regular (at least annual) basis.
16. Opportunities for increasing internal funding which will be investigated will include the following:
    1. Setting of hiring fees etc. for Equestrian Park at a level which reflects the realistic cost of maintaining the area at an appropriate standard for equestrian competitions.
    2. Encouragement to clubs and other organisers to utilise Equestrian Park for competitions, training and instruction to the fullest extent compatible with its sustainable use.
    3. Addressing any issues (e.g. insurance) which are currently an impediment to some potential users.
    4. Promoting equestrian sport generally among horse owners who are currently not members of affiliated clubs, for example, through horse paddock groups and riding schools.
    5. Seeking to improve coaching and instruction opportunities for both adults and children to encourage their interest in competitions. Such opportunities may be provided through clubs, commercial facilities or independent instructors.
17. The ACTEA will seek additional ACT Government funding towards both the capital development costs of Equestrian Park and club facilities, and the ongoing operation of the ACTEA. It is recognised that an increase in operational funding may entail some upgrading of ACTEA management. In addition, it will investigate opportunities for in-kind arrangements with the ACT Government to reduce the financial burden on the ACTEA and its clubs.
18. The ACTEA will explore the opportunities for sponsorship for Equestrian Park and for events conducted there, which could assist in the development and management of this facility.

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