Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Where can I find what’s happening at the club?
Our live calendar on the website shows all exclusive hire bookings, clinics, competitions and arena usage in real time. This is the best place to check what’s on before coming to the grounds.

How do I find upcoming clinics?
All clinics are listed on the live calendar. You can see which coach is booked, what area they are using and when. If you’re interested in joining a clinic, please contact the coach directly to arrange.

Do you offer riding lessons?
FTPEC does not offer riding lessons. There are a number of local riding schools in Brisbane that have school horses and can offer riding lessons.

Membership & Access

Do I need to be a member to use the facilities?
Yes — to access the grounds, you must be a current FTPEC member.

Non-members are welcome to use the cross country course on designated Open Days. Please check the calendar for upcoming dates.

How do I access the grounds?
Access is via a padlocked gate. Members are provided with the access code — please do not share this externally.

Do I need to lock up when I leave?
Yes.

  • The last person to leave the arena at night must turn off the lights (located on the pole next to the arena entry gate)

  • The last person to leave the grounds must:

    • Ensure all lights are off

    • Lock the main gate

Volunteering & Bonds

How does the volunteer bond work?
As part of your membership, a volunteer bond is paid each year.

  • Individual members are required to complete 10 volunteer hours per year

  • Family memberships are required to complete 20 volunteer hours per year

The bond is refunded once these hours are completed and correctly logged.

How do I get my bond refunded?
To receive your bond refund, you must:

  • Complete the required volunteer hours

  • Ensure all hours are logged via SignUp

Links to SignUp and available volunteer opportunities can be found on the Volunteering page.

Refund cut-off dates apply:

  • 15 June (mid-year refunds)

  • 15 November (end-of-year refunds)

These deadlines are strictly enforced.

What happens if I don’t complete or log all my hours?

  • Volunteer hours must be fully completed and logged to be eligible for a refund

  • Part refunds are not available for partially completed hours

  • If hours are not logged via SignUp, they are not recognised

What if I’m having trouble logging my hours?
If you are having difficulty ensuring your hours are recorded in SignUp, please contact the Membership Manager at members@ftpequestrianclub.com

Can I roll my bond over to the next membership year?
No — the Club does not currently offer bond rollovers.

All bonds are reconciled by November each year to ensure a clean financial starting position for the new calendar year.

Can I choose not to volunteer?
Yes — members may choose not to complete volunteer hours. In this case, the bond is retained by FTPEC as a donation to the Club.

Weather & Ground Conditions

It’s been raining — how do I know if the grounds are open?
Arena updates during poor weather are communicated via the FTPEC Facebook group — please check here before attending.

  • During heavy rain, the cross country course will be closed to protect the ground

  • If the course is wet but not sodden, members may ride at their discretion however please prioritise safety when selecting jumps and riding conditions

Coaching & Clinics

How can my coach become approved to coach at FTPEC?
All coaches must be approved before teaching on the grounds. This involves:

  • Completing the Register to Coach form

  • Providing current insurance (minimum $20M public liability)

Please allow at least 14 days for approval.

Can I have a lesson with any coach?
No — only FTPEC-approved coaches are permitted to teach on the grounds.

Do coaches need to book the arena or cross country course?
Yes. All coaching sessions must be booked using the official booking link, which is supplied after completing the Register to Coach form.

Unbooked coaching may result in warnings or loss of approval.

Important:

  • Bookings do not provide exclusive use

  • They only prevent other coaches from booking the same space

  • All bookings are visible on the live calendar within 24 hours of booking

Arena & Grounds Use

Equal Access to Facilities

All club facilities are shared spaces. No member or coach has exclusive use unless an exclusive hire has been approved by the Committee and is visible on the calendar.

  • Booking a facility does not grant exclusive use

  • Members retain the right to use the arena at all times in accordance with etiquette rules

  • Equipment cannot be reserved — when you leave the arena, you relinquish your set-up

What are the key arena etiquette rules?

With multiple horses working in shared spaces, safety is paramount:

Movement & safety

  • Avoid collisions at all costs

  • Check that the gate and track are clear before entering

  • Pass left shoulder to left shoulder on the outside track

  • Give way to riders on your left when off the track

Right of way

  • Canter has priority over trot and walk

  • Trot has priority over walk

  • Lateral work has priority over all paces

  • Horses in a more forward gait have priority

Track rules

  • No halting or walking on the track

  • Mounting, dismounting and adjustments must be done off the track

General awareness

  • Be mindful of other horses

  • If your horse is upsetting others, you may be asked to leave

  • Anticipate your line when circling

Use of Jumps & Equipment

Members are welcome to utilise club equipment, including jumps stored under the trees.

  • Set-ups may be left in place for others to use

  • Equipment cannot be reserved or claimed

  • Jump wings must be used correctly for fences

If a competition is scheduled that weekend, please pack equipment away to assist with event setup.

Can I fill the water jump on the cross country course?

No — the water jump is only filled for:

  • Large clinics (15+ riders)

  • Open Days

  • Competitions

Arena Care & Responsibilities

To maintain safe and high-quality surfaces:

  • No galloping in the arena

  • Take-off and landing areas must be raked after using jumps

  • All manure must be removed:

    • Bagged using feed bags near the arena gate

    • Placed in the designated manure area before leaving

Do I need to clean up before I leave?

Yes — always:

  • Remove manure from the arena and yards

  • Leave shared areas clean and tidy

Competitions & Events

How do I enter competitions?
All competitions are entered via Nominate. If you are a member, log in first to ensure your member discounts are applied.

How do I view draws and results?
Draws are emailed to competitors in the week leading up to the event. Results are available via Nominate Scoreboard.

Can non-members compete at FTPEC events?
Yes — competitions are opened to FTPEC members first, with remaining spaces then opened to non-members. All riders must be current EQ members.

I have a question about an upcoming competition — who can help me?
Please contact the relevant Event Director:

Ground Hire & Sponsorship

I would like to hire the grounds to run a clinic or competition — is this possible?
Yes — FTPEC offers a limited number of exclusive hire opportunities each year to approved hirers.

Please refer to the Hire page for more information.

I love FTPEC and would like to offer sponsorship — what is available?
We are currently developing updated sponsorship packages which will be available online soon.

In the meantime, please contact info@ftpequestrianclub.com for more information.

Careers, Media & Volunteering

Does FTPEC employ grooms or riders?
No — FTPEC is a public-use facility and does not own horses. All agisted horses are cared for by their owners.

I’m a photographer or videographer — can I attend events?
FTPEC works with a closed list of approved photographers and videographers.

If you would like to be considered, please contact marketing@ftpequestrianclub.com.

I’d like to volunteer — who do I contact?
We’d love your help! Please contact info@ftpequestrianclub.com.

We regularly need support with:

  • Grounds maintenance

  • Events

  • Canteen operations

Contact & Response Times

I’ve emailed the committee but haven’t heard back — can I call someone?
Our committee is made up entirely of volunteers who manage club duties around personal commitments.

Please allow up to one week for a response.

If you haven’t heard back after this time, please follow up via info@ftpequestrianclub.com.

Safety & Rules

Do I have to wear a helmet?
Yes — helmets are mandatory at all times when mounted and must meet Australian standards.

What happens if someone breaks the rules?
FTPEC operates a warning system, however serious breaches may result in immediate suspension or loss of access.

A Shared Responsibility

Our facilities are a valuable shared resource. By following these guidelines, we ensure:

  • A safe environment for all riders and horses

  • Respectful and cooperative use of space

  • Fair and equal access for all members

Thank you for helping maintain the high standards of FTPEC.

Still have questions?

If you’re unsure about anything, please contact the Committee or check the full By-Laws.

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