2026 Equestrian Queensland Sport Development Funding Program - Clubs and EQ Sport Committees (Round 1) APPLICATION

The Equestrian Queensland Sport Development Fund offers $40,000 to EQ affiliated clubs, EQ Show Societies and EQ Sport Committees to support development and growth across the sport by way of building club capability, strengthening governance and increasing rider participation through both off-horse workshops and on-horse clinics. The funding also includes assistance to regional* clubs for officials (travelling from outside the region) attending events.

ELIGIBILITY - CLUBS/SPORT COMMITTEES
To be eligible for funding under this program you must meet the following criteria:

• be a current EQ club affiliate, EQ show society or EQ Sport Committee
• have a philosophy that prioritises building the skills, knowledge and confidence of volunteers, committees and event organisers to sustainably grow the sport.
• engage EA current and registered coaches and/or EA recognised accredited officials
• Activities are open equally to both EQ and EQ affiliated club members. Where subsidised fees are offered for the activity, EQ members should be provided a larger subsidy than non-EQ members.
• If you are applying for regional assistance, the affiliated club must be located more than 400km from Brisbane CBD. The regional event being conducted must provide opportunity for either of the following:

1. 1. Dressage – Competitive level event including classes Medium and above
   2. Jumping – Classes of 1.05m and above to be offered in the schedule
   3. Eventing – 1* or above classes to be offered in the schedule

FUNDING PRIORITIES
Funding is intended to support the development and growth of the sport, applications will be prioritised in the following areas:

1. Club Capability - building club and volunteer capability through education and training in areas such as governance, child safeguarding, risk management, committee roles and responsibilities, and other identified club/sport development needs.
2. Inclusion - supporting training for volunteers and/or the delivery of events that improve access, inclusion, and participation opportunities for people with disability.
3. Processes and Systems - Improving club and committee processes and systems to support effective administration, communication, on boarding and event delivery.
4. Participation - providing rider development opportunities that enhance skills, support progression, and promote both rider and equine welfare. (focusing on regional* clinics)

APPLYING FOR SPORT DEVELOPMENT FUNDING
How to apply:

1. Ensure the proposed activity or regional* event meets the eligibility criteria outlined above.
2. Complete the online application.

How much funding can we receive for our activation?
The maximum grant available is $1000 per activation based on the following EQ membership thresholds for members of your club:

• 75% – 100% of EQ members will be eligible for a maximum grant of $1000
• 51% - 74% of EQ members will be eligible for a maximum grant of $750
• up to 50% of EQ members will be eligible for a maximum grant of $500

EQ affiliates or EQ Sport Committees may be eligible for increased funding where their activities demonstrate strong alignment with the funding priorities listed above.

How much funding can we receive for an accredited Official/s (from outside the region) attending a regional* event? (a club is considered regional if it is in Qld and more than 400km from Brisbane CBD

• A maximum grant of $750

There is no limit to the number of applications you may submit, however you should specify your order of priority in the event the funding is oversubscribed.

IMPORTANT DATES

Round 1
Open to activities conducted between 1 January and 30 July 2026
Applications currently open

Applications close COB 23 February 2026

If funding is approved, acquittal documentation including a tax invoice is due one month after the date of the activity or by 10 July (whichever is sooner). Failure to do so may result in any unpaid money being forfeited.

Round 2
Open to activities conducted between 1 August and 7 December 2026 Applications open 1 June 2026
Application close COB 10 July 2026

If funding is approved, acquittal documentation including a tax invoice is due one month after the date of the activity or by 1 December (whichever is sooner). Failure to do so may result in any unpaid money being forfeited.

Any funding left over from Round 1 may be added to the Round 2 funding pool.

Please note that late applications may be accepted providing there is sufficient funds remaining, priority will be given to those received before the closing date for each round.

HOW IS OUR APPLICATION ASSESSED?

All applicants will be notified in writing about the outcome of their application, to be eligible for consideration your club or Sport Committee must meet all the criteria.

Equestrian Queensland reserves the right to determine priorities for the allocation of funding, taking account of; the quality of the information provided, the total funds available in the program and the proactive nature of your club towards prioritising building the skills, knowledge and confidence of volunteers, committees and event organisers to sustainably grow the sport.

Equestrian Queensland reserves the right to review final allocation of funding following receipt of final documentation where the information supplied differs greatly to the original application or where the terms and conditions of funding have not been met.

WHAT IS REQUIRED ONCE FUNDING HAS BEEN APPROVED?

Applicants must ensure that all sections of the online application are completed. EQ will contact you if further information is required to assess your application.

If your application for funding is approved, you are eligible to receive up 100% of the approved amount after the date of the activity, upon the receipt of:

• an invoice addressed to Equestrian Queensland (to include club ABN, payment details, date of clinic and name of EA accredited coach/official)
• completed attendees list (listing participants’ full names and EQ membership status)
• final budget showing both the income and expense lines
• copy of acknowledgement of EQ funding (see below)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

EQ will provide an advertisement for inclusion in the club newsletter, website and social media.

All material such as flyers, posters, social media posts promoting the clinic or workshop is required to include the following acknowledgement:

“This activity is partially funded through the Equestrian Queensland Sport Development Program for 2026.”

For further information please contact enquiries@equestrianqld.com.au or (07) 3891 6611.

*a club is considered regional if it is in Qld and more than 400km from Brisbane CBD