Horse Agility Is Taking Off In Australia

In only a few weeks, this incredibly exciting horse sport has gone from being virtually unknown to having a strong following in Australia. Like the better-known dog agility, horse agility involves horses moving about a course of obstacles including bending poles, ramps, bridges, tunnels and even hoops. It was created by Kalev Tyllinen in Finland in 2000, and has been steadily building worldwide since then.

"The response has been enormous," said Horse Agility Australia founder, Andrew Hennell. "We already have hundreds of people training horses in agility across the country." Horse Agility tests the horse’s physical and emotional fitness and tests the ability of the trainer to keep the horse traveling safely over the course effectively and with grace. "What horse agility does is give a new definition to groundwork," explains Andrew. "We've had a huge response from people who are unable to ride, either because of their own limitations or because they have old, injured or unbroken horses. Agility gives them a purpose to train with their horses." {sidebar id=3}Horse agility builds confidence in both horse and handler/rider, it creates a strong, rewarding, relationship with the horse on the ground that can be transferred into riding should you wish. Horse Agility Australia is steadily building a website with information about the sport, how to build obstacles, and information for clubs. Rather than being yet another club to join, horse agility is working with established clubs around Australia to run training days and, later in 2011, to host competitions. Plans include an accredited agility trainer program, workshops and demonstrations at expos and clubs, and a national pointscore leaderboard for competitions. For more information on how to train your horse in agility, or for clubs wanting to host training days, visit the Horse Agility Australia website yasminehall75@yahoo.com.