Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia, was awarded the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games on July 21, 2021. Twenty-eight Olympic sports will take place Friday, July 23 to Sunday, August 8 at 37 proposed venues; the Paralympics are scheduled for Tuesday, August 24 to Sunday, Sept. 5 and feature 22 sports.
At the recent FEI Sports Forum, FEI president Ingmar de Vos highlighted the recent announcement made by the Organising Committee for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games that Toowoomba had been named as the equestrian venue. Although not completely finalized, the FEI will conduct a venue review in May ahead of the IOC Coordination Commission visit, focusing on ensuring that biosecurity and horse transportation logistics do not hinder equine travel to the Games (Australia has strict import regulations regarding horses, with 14-day pre-export and post-arrival quarantines.) Despite this, development plans in the city’s Toowoomba Royal Showgrounds are already in motion.
Toowoomba is the second-most-populous inland city in Australia after the nation’s capital, Canberra, and is about 125 km west of Brisbane. This exciting coup for the region was the result of a three-year campaign by locals, federal MPs, mayor Garth Hamilton and deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff to present the Toowoomba Royal Showgrounds as a suitable Olympic venue. The proposed $54 million (AUD) Equestrian Centre of Excellence project upgrade will put all the necessary infrastructure in place at Toowoomba Royal Showgrounds, which currently hosts 30-plus equestrian events a year. An economic impact estimated at $12 million is projected for the region during the Games, not including the legacy the permanent construction would leave for future international equestrian events.
A TRS Facebook post remarked about the news: “This monumental achievement is a testament to our vision, dedication, and the tireless efforts of our team. Hosting the world’s top equestrian athletes on our grounds is not just an honor—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Toowoomba on the global stage.
“The 2032 Olympics & Paralympics will bring far-reaching benefits to our region, from increased visibility and tourism to economic growth and community development. The infrastructure and enhancements coming to our grounds will leave a lasting legacy, ensuring future generations benefit from this incredible milestone.” A video of the existing venue can be viewed here.
Equestrian Queensland, the state association of the controlling body Equestrian Australia, has partnered with the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ) to improve the current equestrian facilities at the showgrounds. This work also includes a master plan (see below) and business case to develop a world-class Equestrian Equestrian Centre of Excellence. RASQ chief executive Damon Phillips told the Toowoomba Chronicle, “Our plan is to be up and running and Olympic-ready by 2028.”
The question of whether equestrian sport will remain in the Games is an ongoing concern. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed at their Executive Board meeting in October 2023 that dressage, show jumping and eventing would be included in the Los Angeles 2028 sports program. FEI president De Vos told reporters at the Paris Olympics last summer, “I’m very confident because we’ve been doing so much for horse welfare. We will be on the programme in Los Angeles and we will also be in Brisbane.” The naming of a venue for equestrian events for the 2032 Olympics would seem to confirms expectations that horse sports will indeed take place.
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