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Brianna competing at Hawkesbury Riding Club ’ s dressage event on 19 February . Photo : Olivia Doutreband , Geosnapshot .
by Maryann Jenkins
Londonderry ’ s Brianna Jacobs , 16 , is devastated she can ’ t locally pursue her dream job of thoroughbred racing by completing a pathways TAFE course certificate in equine that ’ s been offered at Richmond for years .
Riding since she was five , the member of Hawkesbury Riding Club and performance horse lover regularly competes in dressage events and trains thoroughbred horses on the family property .
Brianna was signed off by Richmond High to enter the Certificate II in equine racing course last year , only for her school to be told via email on 19 January by TAFE her application wasn ’ t successful as the course was no longer being offered .
“ My daughter went through the process of applying for the TAFE Year 10 equivalent course in breeding and training performance horses ; a week before school returned , she heard she needed to find other pathways courses at Blacktown or Penrith , or attend Taree or Scone ,” mother Sharon told the Independent .
“ Brianna is so upset and my husband and I were beyond disappointed … she just wants to work with horses .”
Mrs Jacobs , a horsewoman herself , questioned what TAFE is going to do with their facility ; they have offered equine courses for as long as she can remember .
“ Brianna wants a working traineeship [ through TAFE ] Racing NSW has no equivalent to it . She ’ s been told she can attend regional TAFEs … she ’ s too young for a driver ’ s licence .”
Sharon and Brianna voiced their concerns at the front gates of Richmond TAFE along with 30 other people interested people including local MPs , up to 12 teachers are said to be losing their jobs due to the cuts .
“ We are losing a core fundamental training facility for young people and staff , we can ’ t afford to lose more teachers or our equine industry ,” Ms Templeman said .
“ Godolphin trainer and ex-jockey Darren Beadman is disappointed and Vigouroux Racing Stables at Clarendon is totally against it .”
Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston confirmed last week TAFE NSW ’ s cuts to equine courses and the intent to focus on Farriery and Agriculture from Term 2 , 2022 , however there were four other course providers available .
The Richmond courses being discontinued include Certificate II in Racing Industry ; Certificate III in Performance Horse ; Certificate III in Racing ( Trackrider ); Certificate IV in Racing ( Racehorse Trainer ).
“ TAFE will ensure that all current students in these equine courses can complete the course at the Richmond Campus ,” Ms Preston said .
TAFE is redirecting resources into supporting additional training places locally , including Richmond , in critical skills area such as peri-urban agriculture , animal science , childcare , aged care , disability support and traditional trades .
“ If there was an abundance of enrolments the courses wouldn ’ t be discontinued ,” Ms Preston said .
“ It is difficult to justify using taxpayers ’ money to fund a course that has little or no students enrolled . Only a few students have contacted me about the cancellation on this year ’ s equine courses and those students were from outside the Hawkesbury Electorate .”
The equine industry is incredibly important to the Hawkesbury , worth an estimated $ 160 million per year according to Ms Templeman .
Over the coming 12 months , Ms Preston said the NSW Government will invest $ 1.5 million dollars at Richmond TAFE for a new veterinary clinic , agriculture livestock facilities and equipment and a Connected Learning Point .
8 ISSUE 142 // MARCH 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT