THE sand arena in the Marburg Showgrounds is going to look extra well groomed in future following a successful grant application by the Standardbred Association of Queensland.

For the back story on that arena we spoke with Melissa Bell, the Treasurer of the Standardbred Association.

Melissa has all the information as she also holds the roles within the Association of Horse Placement Officer and Horse Welfare Officer.

“The Association came into an agreement in 2019 with the Marburg Show Society and the Marburg Pacing Association to utilise the land at the Marburg Showgrounds.

The land is at the back of the showgrounds. It’s where the Standardbred Association built an arena to run events to retrain ex harness race horses.

“Retraining and rehoming the horses is what we primarily focus on and over the past 20 years we have been able to assist over 1,500 horses through special events that give them a new purpose in life,” Melissa said.

The Standardbred Association also holds education clinics.

“So, the new space in Marburg is ideal to be able to give these horses all the training needed to assist them on their new journey.”

Melissa added that the construction of the arena was funded by two bodies.

“We received an $11,000 grant from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission to build the arena panels and the Association funded the $30,000 to get the base dug out, the sand installed and the grounds up to standard.”

And now to the ‘grooming’ of the sand.

The Association is awaiting the arrival of a Thomas 1.8m Arena Drag machine.

This machine will be used to maintain the arena surface.

“It is a tool to keep the sand in the arena maintained and smooth for the horses,” she said.

The $5,000 tool was funded through a grant from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.

“We are very grateful for this addition because it gives the grounds longevity while maintaining the sand.”