Government Proposal Outrages Horse Riding Enthusiasts
by Amy Sheehan, University of the Sunshine Coast, September 3, 2004
Australian horse riding enthusiasts are outraged by a proposal that will result in them losing the right to ride in local forests.
The Mapleton Forest Reserve is situated in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, approximately 100km north of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland.
Queensland Government bodies are proposing to turn the state forest into a national park in the hope to conserve scenery, natural objects of national significance and wild animals and plants.
Endurance riders fear for the future of the sport
Under an Australian law, established in the 1970s, land classified as a national park prohibits domestic animals such as horses from using its tracks.
Furious riders have challenged the proposal. They argue that if riders are "locked out" they will be forced to ride on roads, which will create safety risks for both riders and motorists.
There are also concerns that the growing horse industry will suffer considerable loss of revenue. It is believed by some the exclusion of riders will result in a deterioration of forest tracks and fire breaks which are constantly monitored by riders.
Leanne Sample has been fighting the proposal since it was first moved. She and her husband, Brook a three time national endurance riding champion, have been using the forest to compete and train horses for 20 years.
Their property, Gheerulla Stables, is owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a member of the Royal Family of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Mr Sample said he was employed as a trainer with Mr Maktoum in Dubai before returning to Australia to manage and train endurance horses at Gheerulla.
Endurance riding is extremely popular in Australia. Endurance riding includes training rides from 20km up to around 50km. Competitive rides start at 80km and 160km in one day. There are also marathon rides up to 400km or more over several days.
Australian endurance riders compete at national and international events every year and Australian endurance horses are in demand from overseas markets.
Mrs Sample is concerned that if the proposal is set up it has the potential to weaken international interest in Australian endurance riding.
Each year Mrs Sample participates in the organisation of endurance competitions that take place in state forest. She is frustrated that the proposal would not only mean the prohibition of local riders but also of yearly competitions that draw hundreds of riders from all over Queensland.
"Ultimately it would mean the death of our sport," she said.
Mrs Sample and her father-in-law, Bob Sample, head a group lobbying against the proposal. The group has prepared its own proposal, requesting about 2 per cent of the forest to be set aside as conservation park corridors.
This will allow for 98 per cent of the Mapleton Forest Reserve to be conserved as a national park.
Unlike the laws governing national parks, conservation park corridors will allow for horse riders continuing use of part of the forest, while maintaining vital tracks and fire breaks.
Some state government ministers are offering their support to lobbying groups, but many are still firm in the decision that the proposal should go underway. They argue that Queensland has the smallest percentage of national parks and protected forests than any other forested region in Australia.
Mrs Sample and her group plans presenting its proposal to the State Government along with many signed petitions. It believes that if the government accepts the idea of conservation park corridors it will be a step forward in ensuring future use of the forest.
Links:
Queensland Endurance Riding Association
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