Horse lovers now have access to new accommodation options for their four-legged friends right in the heart of Thurgoona.
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Ten new agistment paddocks have been built at the Albury-Wodonga Equestrian Centre (AWEC) on the western side of the complex featuring automatic water troughs, horse-safe electric fencing and good shelter.
AWEC president Bradley Hayden said the new paddocks created a safer environment for agistees and their horses who would not have to cross main roads to access facilities.
“We embarked on this project to build more agistment within the centre due to increased residential development in the area and the loss of paddocks we previously leased from the development corporation,” Mr Hayden said.
“Our centre co-ordinator Barb Chenoweth put a lot of work into this and was instrumental in seeing the project to fruition.”
The project was funded with an interest-free loan through the Albury council community fund program.
Albury mayor Kevin Mack said horseriding was an extremely popular activity in the region so the new paddocks were great news for the community.
“The agistment paddocks provide income opportunities for the centre, which will assist in maintaining and improving the facility,” Cr Mack said.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the centre and supporting it to become financially sustainable.”
Mr Hayden said the completion of the paddocks was just one component of a very busy period for AWEC, with the facility packed to capacity last weekend for the Border Districts Showjumping Club two-day grand prix.
And with a strong line-up of event bookings heading into next year, he said it was fantastic to see Albury council recognising and supporting the region’s strong equestrian community.
Formed in 1996 on 97 hectares at Thurgoona, the facility includes 40 covered yards, 40 stables, 200 day yards, 70m x 110m sand arena, five turf polocrosse fields, rodeo and campdraft arena and three-star cross-country course as well as camping sites and amenities.
There are a range of agistment options available from paddocks to stable and day yard packages with all care and feeding the responsibility of the horse owner.
Membership of the centre is open to juniors, seniors, families or singles and members also have full access to the centre’s range of facilities.
Membership runs from January 2015 to December 2015 and costs $130 for a single rider, $80 for juniors or $200 for a family. Call Barb Chenoweth on 0427 540 467 or go to www.awec.net.au
![Safe and sound: Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre co-ordinator Barb Chenoweth (right) with horse Ruby and agistee Kalli Kambouras with her horse Skye at the new agistment paddocks. Picture: ELENOR TEDENBORG Safe and sound: Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre co-ordinator Barb Chenoweth (right) with horse Ruby and agistee Kalli Kambouras with her horse Skye at the new agistment paddocks. Picture: ELENOR TEDENBORG](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/PDupDCSG52UXrq68xwPPyU/051ab934-e82b-4268-88a9-f2687edff2fa.jpg/r0_253_5184_2983_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)