One of the prime movers in the establishment of the Albany Equestrian Centre was Mike Stidwell.

 

It was always Mike's dream to create a central hub for equestrian activity in Albany, involving all the local equestrian clubs, with the Albany Equestrian Centre being a 'peak' body for these clubs, and the organisation was modelled on the Sports Lottery House concept.

 

This vision was contagious and captured the imagination of the clubs, with the Albany Equestrian Centre coming into being in early 1988.

It formally came into being on 15 February 1988, when the following groups joined together to develop equestrian facilities:

• Southern Districts Dressage Club
• Albany Horseman's Association;
• Albany Western Riding Club;
• Great Southern Eventing Club;
• Albany Harness Club;
• King River Horse & Pony Club;
• Australian Stockhorse Society; and
• Heavy Horse.

 

Albany Equestrian Centre Executive was made up of Peter Madigan as President, Mike Stidwell (Secretary) and Ray Dowsett (Treasurer), together with the club delegates, and this Executive remained in place, and led the development of the Albany Equestrian Centre for the next 10 plus years.

 

Two further groups were formed after this date and became affiliated with the Centre:

• Great Southern Riders Squad (1990);
• Albany Pony Club (1990).

And this has been further supplemented by:

• Albany Adult Riders Club; and
• Albany Natural Trailriders .

 

Today there are five affiliated Clubs - Southern Districts Dressage Club; Albany Horseman's Association; Albany Pony Club; Albany Adult Riders Club; and Albany Natural Trailriders.

 

The first action of the Centre was to consolidate the Centre grounds by having the then leases of the Albany Western Riding Club and the Albany Horseman's Association surrendered and included into a larger parcel of land in the name of the Centre. This area was approximately 60 hectares, and comprises areas for all facets of equestrian activity.

In January 1988 both the Albany Horseman’s Association & the Albany Western Riding Club requested their lease to be terminated (surrendered) to allow a new lease be entered into with the  Albany Equestrian Centre.

This new lease to the Albany Equestrian Centre was then formalised, and commenced on 1 January 1990.

The Centre then developed a Management Plan for the benefit of all the affiliated groups, and identified the following key objectives:

Incorporation of the Centre;

Club house - including offices, bunk house, ablution and canteen facilities, being upgraded;

Establishment of an indoor arena; and

Covered stalls.

In the main, these objectives have been achieved.

Incorporation

The initial Constitution of the Albany Equestrian Centre was formally registered on 18 January 1989 (A08238235), with the Centre then becoming an incorporated body.

Club House Upgrade & Ablution Facilities

The Centre was fortunate in the beginning in that it already had a building - a former Ministry of Education demountable classroom complex.

in 1993, the layout of the building was modified to provide office accommodation and facilities for all user groups on a shared basis.

The ablution block was constructed also constructed at the same time with the assistance of a grant obtained from the Depart of Sport & Recreation.

Establishment of an Indoor Arena - 1995

In the early 1990s, the Albany Foreshore was being re-developed, and an opportunity was presented for the Albany Equestrian Centre to gain the Renewable Resources shed which was being demolished. This opportunity was grabbed with open arms, and Ray Pomery relocated these materials to the Centre. The main beams were subsequently used in the construction of the indoor arena.

Geoff Holmes, Hobbs Smith & Holmes, Architects was commissioned to prepare a five stage concept plan, and I undertook to organise the funding to complete the first stage of the project, which is still as you see it today.

Peter Madigan obtained the following funding for the project: $100,000 from the Lotteries Commission; $30,000 from the Department for Sport & Recreation; and, a $10,000 private loan (which has been subsequently repaid).

The footings were laid by local builder, John McBride, and funded by a further grant gained through the efforts of Louise Hillman.

And, finally the structure was completed by Koster's Albany.

At the same time, the Albany Equestrian Centre was successful in attracting a Work for the Dole program, and Ray Dowsett undertook the oversight of these workers, who were primarily involved in tidying up the grounds.

it was not long after the completion of the indoor project that Mike Stidwell became seriously ill, and relinquished his role of Secretary.

Sadly, Mike passed away in 2000.

In recognition of his efforts and contributions, and indeed his vision, the Albany Equestrian Centre Management Committee unanimously supported the motion to name the indoor arena after Mike - 'The Mike Stidwell Indoor Arena'.

Changing of the Guard

It was after this time that Peter Madigan stood down as President, after nearly 14 years at the helm.