The Far North Equestrian Group was established in the Cairns area 25 years ago with the aim of fostering equestrian sports with a focus on dressage from junior training right through to major senior competitions.
We aim to promote an interesting and varied riding calendar catering for all levels from beginners to experienced riders.
The club hosts a variety of events planned throughout the year, competitions combining junior and associate classes for non-EFA members and official competitions where judges are frequently flown from Southern districts to judge, as well as meetings, social nights, and workshops of interest.
In the near future the club hopes to branch out into eventing, with a one star cross country course on the drawing board.
The club competitions and general running adhere to the rules of the Equestrian Federation of Australia with our first reference to Equestrian Queensland.
The Far North Equestrian Group is priviledged to regularly use the grounds of the Redlynch Equestrian Association with its great facilities and spectacular backdrop of world heritage rainforest, situated in Redlynch Equestrian Park, Rocks Road, Redlynch, Queensland, Australia. See static map, or interactive map.
We have an interesting and varied calendar of events. Programs and entry forms are available by clicking on the event links. More events will be added soon.
| Month | Date | Competition | Entries Close |
| April | Sunday 20th | April Competition; Come & Try day 19th | 10th April (dressage) |
| May | 24th & 25th | FNEG & NQSJC Official/Associate Dressage | 16th May |
| July | 12th & 13th | FNEG Official/Associate Dressage (Cairns Show) | 27th June |
Born: Essen Germany (sometime last century), currently resides Gold Coast, Australia.
Early years: Fate works in strange ways – Thomas’ mother played tennis until she got tennis elbow, so when she started having lessons at a local riding school, Thomas went along as well and commenced his riding career as a young child. He has been consumed by riding horses ever since.
Riding career: Completed his apprenticeship of three years as a Bereiter (Head Rider) at age 20 in Keil, Germany with Wilhelm Wendell (progeny of the late Herbert Rhebien). Was then self-employed as a bereiter, riding his own and client’s horses in dressage and show jumping.
In 1987 competed his Master Trainer’s degree, a further 3 years of training and study, to be ranked as number one in his course (this is an achievement of which Thomas still feels is one of his most proud moments).
After this Thomas moved around Germany a little bit, managing stables for a few years at a time with two stints at a large establishment at Reutlingen. Every few years he chose to holiday in Australia, usually with relatives on the Gold Coast.
Currently: Thomas coaches most days a week – from early in the morning to well after dark, he has many clients on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, Minden and Toowoomba. He also travels to Adelaide for five days a month and to Cairns whenever we can book him!
Goals: "At the moment my goal is to make Queensland riders competitive with the those on the South when they go inter-state." Thomas has already achieved excellent results of this many riders under his instruction being sashed National champions, State champions and regional champions at all levels up to Grand Prix.
Other hobbies: played many sports as a younger person though right now there is nothing left after coaching all day!
Guiding Principle: Thomas encourages all riders to remain self disciplined in their riding. "There is a beautiful phrase for it in German!" But basically it translates to ‘in training there is only correction, never punishment from frustration when the horse has difficulty doing as you ask’.
Thomas has an exacting, Europeanly articulate, sensitive, honest though very encouraging manner that makes the rider feel that they can give 110%. The overwhelming response to Thomas’ clinic in Cairns (and across Australia) give testimony to his coaching talents. The far North Equestrian Group feels privileged to have access to such an excellent coach and horse person!
There are many benefits of becoming a member of the Far North Equestrian Group, such as regular newsletters, member discounted entry fees at competitions, annual level trophies, consistency medals and encouragement awards presented at the AGM, usually held in November. For more information and membership application form, click here.
FNEG Secretary
PO Box 304 REDLYNCH
QLD 4870 Australia