About Interschool
Interschool competitions provide a structured, graduated selection of events across the Olympic disciplines, from local school competitions through to National Championships. The National Interschool Committee (NIC) is responsible for developing the Interschool Rules and competition programs at National and State Championship level.
Interschool operates under the rules and guidelines of the disciplines of Dressage, Jumping, Eventing and Show Horse. The National Sport Rules are to be followed by all affiliated organisations conducting Interschool events. The National Interschool rulebook is concerned with the regulations governing Interschool events at National Championship level, and may be referred to for guidance in the absence of State guidelines, or where the National Sport Rules for each discipline are not definitive.
The primary objective of Equestrian Australia is the development of horse sports from the participation level to the high performance level. Interschool comprises a competition and educational pathway for young athletes to participate in equestrian sport during their primary and secondary school years. The State Branches of Equestrian Australia co-ordinate the organisation of Interschool competition and training, with the aim of promoting education and sportsmanship to student athletes, educating athletes in horsemanship and horse management, and creating a competitive sporting environment.
Interschool competitions are conducted under the sport rules for each discipline, and are complemented by specific National Interschool Rules.
***NEWS*** A new event to be added to Interschool is the Interschool Challenge - a simplified version of Showman, which has been devised to encourage greater participation and to allow more flexibility for organisers of events.
2012 Australian Interschool Championships
This event will be conducted by Equestrian Queensland at Toowomba Showgrounds from 2-5 October 2012.
Please check HERE for updated information on the event.
2011 EA National Interschool Championships
Werribee Park, Victoria 4-8 October 2011
More information from www.vic.equestrian.org.au
2010 EA National Interschool Championships
Sydney International Equestrian Centre, NSW
Full Report
2009 EA Horseland Interschool Championships
Werribee Park, Victoria
Full report
Education
The educational pathway of Interschool provides the “horsemanship” component of equestrian sport, and is designed to provide a strong foundation for competitive athletes, coaches, officials, non-riding equestrian enthusiasts and those wishing to pursue a career in the horse industry.
Interschool athletes are strongly encouraged to undertake the Equestrian Skills Educational programs offered by Equestrian Australia. These include Introductory and Level One Riding and Horse Management for students over 12 years of age. Successful completion of these programs is a prerequisite to commencing the NCAS Coaching Program and may become a requirement for inclusion on National and State Teams and Squads.
Education programs may be studied independently, or as part of a club or school group. Schools that organise Equestrian Skills programs as part of their curriculum are required to become members of EA. More information about EA education and certification programs is available here:
Where did Interschool begin?
Queensland has been quietly growing the Equestrian Interschools phenomenon for 20 years. At the 2005 EA Annual Forum it was presented to over 50 stakeholders. These stakeholders subsequently voted the formation of a National Interschools Pathway as the most important priority for EA. Read more.
Interschool Gallery
Below, from the 2009 National Championships, Werribee, Victoria.
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