Letter from the Acting President

The Yarra Valley is the 4th largest equestrian participation in Australia. The SOYR completed a study in 2020 that showed a big increase in active riders in the Yarra Valley to approximately 10,000. Many regularly do the 200km round trip to Werribee or Boneo. We are also home to around 40 equestrian clubs many who do not have a permanent ‘home’ who haven’t got facilities to hold larger events.

The Yarra Glen and Lilydale Hunt Club have owned their superb central 40ha property (The same size as Werribee) in Yering for over 80 years. They have recently conducted an intensive study and developed a design with the architects of Willinga Park NSW, for a multipurpose regional equestrian centre at their property. The not-for-profit Yarra Valley Equestrian Park (YVEP) body has been established with an agreement for a 30 year lease on the property subject to obtaining funding by October 2021.

The YVEP will be built in two stages. Stage 1 will cost $2.5 million of which $1.25 million has already been pledged by local equestrian clubs, businesses, and equestrian lovers in the Yarra valley. YVEP has now applied for matching funding from the Federal Government Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF). If the BBRF is successful YVEP can complete stage 1 by June 2022 and secure the site for the future!

Please share and read more about the exciting plans for your YVEP on our website. We welcome your feedback. This is possibly the last chance we may have to retain the iconic Hunt Club property as an equestrian park for all generations to come. Your involvement and support will help.