There are doomsayers in the horse world who believe the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will be the last to offer equestrian sports.
But I always have disagreed. The 2032 Games are in Australia, which has won many Olympic medals in eventing, so I believe horse sports will continue to be part of the Games four years after LA. (I’m less optimistic about 2036).
To bolster my viewpoint, the Brisbane Olympic Games Organizing committee visited Toowoomba this month after it was named a potential host for the equestrian events. Officials praised its facilities and potential, while Toowoomba organizers hope their site will be selected, although there won’t be a decision until 2026. Approval must come not only from the organizing committee, but also the International Olympic Committee and the FEI.
The Toowoomba Showgrounds, about 130 kilometers from Brisbane, were chosen as the proposed venue at the beginning of 2025. According to Inside the Games, Mayor Geoff McDonald proposed building a passenger rail link between Toowoomba and Brisbane as a legacy of the Games. That could strengthen the city’s case and increase its chances of being confirmed as an Olympic venue. The International Olympic Committee loves legacy projects. The rail line would facilitate travel for athletes and delegations and become a valuable and potentially profitable infrastructure after the Games.
Leading the visit was Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris, who expressed optimism about final approval.
“I see no barriers to making this a reality,” Liveris commented.
Australian Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Game Tim Mander also was confident Toowoomba would be approved.
“The showgrounds were built for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s the perfect location, and we know they’ll be here,” he said.
Although the Toowoomba Showgrounds have not hosted international events, they have held major state-level competitions, such as the Equestrian Queensland Interschool State Championships in 2024. More than 250 riders and 330 horses took part in disciplines including dressage, showjumping, showing and eventing.
This year, Toowoomba hosted the State Jumping, Equitation and Showjumping Championships, organized by the West Toowoomba Pony Club. In 2017, the venue hosted the Australian Interschool Championships, a national school-level competition.