Since 1998
Promoting the Standardbred Horse Breed
Our History
The Standardbred Association of Queensland (SAQ) was founded in 1998 and was primarily established as the Queensland’s Standardbred Breed Society. It became evident that there was a shortfall in opportunities for Standardbreds retiring from racing – with a large majority of them finding themselves in slaughter yards.
In 2002, SAQ started the Rehoming and Adoption Program, which was the first Not for Profit Association in Queensland to focus specifically on retraining and rehoming retired racehorses. Over the past 16 years, the program has steadily grown – along with the racing industry’s awareness of the importance of retirement options for its retired athletes – and we have now rehomed well over 1,000 Standardbreds through our adoption program.
Members
Adopted Horses
Registered Horses
What Drives Us
Our Mission
The Standardbred Association of Queensland is dedicated to championing horse welfare, advocacy and retirement for Standardbreds in a compassionate Community.
To uphold our Mission Statement, the Association follows these five objectives…
Horse Welfare
The Association aims to advance the well-being and welfare of Standardbred horses throughout their lives. This includes promoting responsible horse care and advocating for their needs, appropriate nutrition, healthcare, and living conditions.
Advocacy
The Association strives to be a strong voice for Standardbred horses, advocating for their needs, rights, and fair treatment. It aims to raise awareness about issues affecting Standardbreds, promote ethical treatment, and engage in efforts to improve industry practices and standards.
Retirement and Aftercare
The Association is committed to providing retirement options and ongoing support for Standardbreds that have retired from racing or other equestrian activities. This includes facilitating an adoption program, retraining initiatives, and ensuring a smooth transition into caring, quality homes and new purposes beyond the track; aiming for a fulfilling and purposeful retirement for these horses.
Compassionate Community
The Association aims to foster a compassionate and supportive community that values and prioritizes the well-being of Standardbred horses. It seeks to educate, engage, and collaborate with horse owners, trainers, enthusiasts, and the public to create a culture of empathy, understanding, and responsible horse ownership.
Promotion
The Association aims to develop and execute effective marketing and communication strategies aimed at increasing awareness of Standardbred horses, promoting ownership opportunities, and showcasing engaging recreational activities related to these remarkable equines.
SAQ home grounds arena
2023/2024
Committee
Gaylene Teichmann
President
Debbie Dekker
Vice President
Horse Registrar
Linda Zupanc
Secretary
Webmaster
Wendy Jones
Treasurer
Melissa Bell
Horse Placement Officer
Horse Welfare Officer
Volunteer Coordinator
Emily Turner
Events Coordinator
Debbie Summerhayes
Newsletter Editor
Debbie Dekker
Horse Registrar
Andrew Bracewell
Risk Management Officer
Equipment/Assets Coordinator
Shona Theuerkauf
Social Media Coordinator
Events Team
Events Manager
Dressage
Position Vacant
Show Jumping
Position Vacant
State Championships
Position Vacant
Track to Hack
Position Vacant
Training Days/Musters
General Members
Debbie Summerhayes
Kristen Powles
Equipment/Assets Coordinator
Groundsman & Maintenance
Darrel Foster
Volunteer Coordinator
Horse Welfare Team
Grants & Fundraising Team
Not Just for Racing
Why Register a Horse?
Standardbred Horse Registration
Who Can Register A Horse
The Standardbred Association Queensland provides owners who are SAQ Members of pleasure Standardbreds with the opportunity to register their horses for non-racing equestrian disciplines. Often when horses start their non-racing competition careers owners do not have the horse’s Harness Racing Australia (HRA) registration papers. This is often because the original owners do not want their horses to race again and therefore they do not pass on the horse’s papers.
Registered Naming Protocols
For a horse that is unnamed with Harness Racing Australia, you can apply for a name through the registration process. You will not be able to use the same name of a horse already registered with HRA – Check HRA OnLine for name availability. If a SAQ registered and named horse is found to have the same name as a horse registered with HRA, the name will need to be changed.
Unbranded & Partbred Standardbreds
The Registration Process
In summary, the process is as follows:
- Complete the SAQ Membership Application if you are not already a member.
- Complete ALL of the horse information on the registration form. Include the freezebrand or racing name of the horse, you can find this information at www.harness.org.au/hra.cfm
- If you are registering an unnamed horse, please provide 5 alternative names in order of preference. While SAQ allows registration with your choice of name, the name cannot be the same as that of a horse already registered with HRA or SAQ.
- Please provide the required photographs of your horse, without saddlery or harness.
- Partbred and Unbranded Purebred Standardbreds require additional DNA testing to substantiate their bloodlines. Once the SAQ recieves your application forms, the SAQ Horse Registrar will contact you to arrange DNA sampling in accordance with SAQ requirements.
For full details on how to register and to download the application forms, please click here.
Adopt A Standy
Become a Member
Register a Horse
SAQ Home Grounds
Marburg Showgrounds
45-55 Queen Street
Marburg QLD 4346
PIC Number QGIW1059
COUNT DOWN to the SAQ 2024 State Championships
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@ Gatton Showgrounds
PIC Number QAGT1412