Australian primary school children will now have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the nation’s champion equestrian riders following the launch of Equestrian Australia’s (EA) new junior participation program Ready Set Trot on March 1.

Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, joined 25 children from Palmerston Primary School along with Olympic silver medallist, Shane Rose, to launch Ready Set Trot at Gooromon Park Horse Riding Centre, Hall, ACT. It is a joint initiative between EA, Pony Club Australia (PCA) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

Senator Lundy says the program will provide children between the ages of five and 12 with pathway opportunities to learn the skills of equestrian sports.

“Ready Set Trot comprises seven-session Playground Skills and eight-session Stable Skills components for children to learn about equestrian sports in a fun, safe and inclusive environment,” says Senator Lundy.

“A unique part of Ready Set Trot is that children do not need to own a horse to take part, which makes it more affordable to the wider community.”

On the day, Rose and Gooromon Park Riding School staff took children through a range of activities from the Playground Skills program. The children also went on a guided tour of the stables, where some saw a horse for the first time.

“Ready Set Trot gives more young people a chance to learn about and get involved in equestrian sports,” says Rose. “I hope it inspires a new generation of young riders to take up the reins.”

The Playground Skills component of Ready Set Trot is a seven-session program involving fun and interactive games that students and teachers can do at school or as part of their involvement in the ASC’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program. With basic sporting equipment such as balls, hoops and skipping ropes the only essential requirements, Ready Set Trot makes the sport of equestrian more accessible for children.

Stable Skills is an eight-session introductory course provided by accredited Ready Set Trot delivery centres. It gives children the opportunity to have an interactive session that introduces them to horses and basic equestrian skills.

The Australian Government had allocated more than $2.5 million to EA for its high performance and participation programs this financial year.