Along with our regular rallies, GEA holds a number of open training days throughout the year depending on availability of the grounds.
Our core training days are show jumping, cross country and dressage. Open, meaning non GEA members can ride at these events subject to completing a Competition/Day Membership form and EWA Waiver form and paying the applicable fee.
We also try to hold a clinic or two during the year. Past clinics have included Cross Country Clinics with Stephen Johnson and Nat Hibbert, Clinics with Louise Crosby and Courtney Lou, Western Dressage with Vanessa Hancock, Working Equitation Clinic with Sue Buckley, Groundwork Clinic with Shelley Appleton, Partnership Building Clinic with Belinda Harrison and a Liberty Clinic with Yoann Levesque. We are open to suggestions put forward by our members.
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Competitions both in house and inter-club are run by GEA and other clubs affiliated with ARCA (Adult Riding Club Association). ARCA Facebook
ARCA ‘challenges’ are a great way to introduce you and your horse to friendly competition whilst supporting and representing your club. There is a high point and handicap trophy for each challenge up for grabs.
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Entry to GEA's open training day events and clinics are via Global Entries Online , listed under Multidiscipline WA
To enter into any of GEA's rallies and events you will need to set up a personal account with Global.
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ARCA Challenges 2024
ARCA CHALLENGES
By Sharon Bettany
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“Are you going to the ARCA Challenge?”. It’s a question often heard being asked around the grounds at any Adult Riding Club at certain times of the year. But if you are new to the world of Adult Riding Club, you might be thinking; “What is an ARCA Challenge?”
Well, I’m glad you asked!
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ARCA is an acronym for Adult Riding Clubs Association; it is the Governing Body for Adult Riding
Clubs in WA.
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ARCA Challenges happen three times a year: Autumn, winter, and spring. They are an inter-club
competition that is only open to members of an ARCA affiliated riding club. Past competitions have
been run as Gymkhanas, Working Hunter comps, Hickstead, and Dressage.
There are many prizes on offer; Two perpetual high-point trophies awarded to the club with the most points, a highpoint rider award, Ribbons for winners and place getters, plus raffles, random prizes decided by the host club e.g. best matchy-matchy, sportsmanship, encouragement, and at times Off The Track WA will sponsor prizes for the best performed Thoroughbred and Standardbred.
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Although the ARCA Challenge is a competition with rules, regulations and protocols etc, there is no
need to feel that you are not good enough to participate. The atmosphere at an ARCA Challenge is
friendly and welcoming, where competitors are cheering for one another regardless of which club
they are representing.
A day at an ARCA Challenge is as much about social interaction as it is about riding and competing; you are connecting with like-minded people who share your love of horses and riding, you are all sharing in the triumphs and offering a kind word when things don’t go to plan.
You share stories, you share a laugh, and you are all in it together.
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If you don’t believe that you are good enough to enter a competition, I ask you this; “What is good
enough?” If you can ride your horse at walk and trot, then that is all you need to be good enough to
enter an ARCA Challenge. These competitions are designed for you – The Adult Riding Club member.
It doesn’t matter if you have been riding for only two years, or twenty years, there are classes that
cater to all levels. For the beginner
rider, classes start at walk/trot for dressage
and poles/30cm for jumping. In some circumstances,
very nervous riders are allowed to have someone
walk with them to get them safely over the poles. The
levels then progress through preliminary, novice and
elementary for dressage, 45cm, 65cm, 80cm, and 95cm (if there is a demand for it) for jumping. There really is a level for everyone. You don’t need to be the best; you just need to be ready to have a go, to open yourself up for a day of fun and friendship, and ride in
a competition created just for you.
So the next time you hear the question; “Are you going to the ARCA Challenge”, consider saying loud and clear;
“HELL YEAH, Bring it on!”