EARLIER this month Gidgegannup Dressage Club (GDC) won the prestigious 2025 Metropolitan Club of the Year at the Equestrian WA (EWA) awards night held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

The award recognises an EWA affiliated club that has displayed an outstanding level of engagement within the community across multiple levels

During 2025, the club has continued to build its reputation as a strong supporter of grassroots and older dressage riders, and contributing to the ongoing viability and community support for dressage.

“Grassroots riders are the lifeblood of every equestrian club, representing the foundation upon which the sport is built, bringing passion, dedication, and community spirit to the arena,” vice president Lyn Millet said.

“These riders are not only the largest membership base but also the ones who keep clubs thriving day-to-day, whether through volunteering, supporting events, or simply showing up with enthusiasm and commitment.”

Through its second annual Golden Oldies competition for riders over 50 years, the club has encouraged more 150 riders aged from 50 to 80-years since 2024 to ride with their peers, sometimes for the first time in decades and re-experiencing the joy of dressage.

“The 2025 Golden Oldies Dressage Festival was all about celebrating the contribution of older riders to the equestrian world and encouraging more older riders to find their way into the world of dressage training and competition by offering them a fun, low key and supportive competitive event,” Mrs Millet said.

On behalf of Dressage WA, GDC also ran the grassroots dressage competition for riders of all ages to take their riding up a notch and compete at the State Equestrian Centre for a myriad of rosettes, rugs and prizes that they can proudly hang up in their stables at home.

Through its active committee, the club  has been able to secure sponsorship and prizes and forge strong partnerships with local governments, equestrian bodies and local businesses.

Within its membership ranks, GDC has riders in their 20s up to 80 years old and offers a diverse calendar of events with more than 20 rallies, using EWA coaches and only two riders per class, free stabling on site, lunches to encourage a social atmosphere, training days, rider fitness and horse nutrition learning events, social events and group outings to renowned world class trainers and riders at EWA events.

Rallies and membership are offered at affordable prices and the club often subsidises events for members to minimise the financial barriers to participation in what is already an expensive sport.

The club is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and it is not the first time the club has been recognised in these awards, being previous recipients of the Club of the Year and Volunteers of the Year Awards.

For more information contact marjory.stanger@bigpond.com or message via Facebook.