Frequently Asked Questions


How do I book to use the grounds for casual riding?

  1. Go to the calendar and check available days. The grounds are dividend into sections so one area may not be available but another may be.

  2. Click on “Book A Ride

  3. Choose your area, day and time. You will only be able to choose from available days and times.

  4. Pay **(There are no refunds for no shows after booking and paying but you may reschedule two hours out from your booking)

When do I have to notify the booking officer when I want to use the grounds?

You must book online every time you want to use the grounds outside of a booked club day. Casual riding must be booked before you enter the grounds.

All events, club days, lessons, clinics, practice sessions and general riding or any other activity outside a designated club day requires booking prior to the activity taking place.

What if I just want to use the grounds for the farrier, saddle fitter, Bowen therapy or an activity in which no one will be riding, do I still have to book the grounds?

Yes. Every activity that takes place on the grounds must be booked. This is to ensure that it is safe to be on the grounds that day. There can be other activities on the grounds, ie: maintenance, use of heavy equipment, etc. in which it may not be safe to be on the grounds with horses. There is a ground fee of $5.40 per horse whether ridden or not.

What kind of notification do I need to give prior to using the grounds?

First check the DEC calendar on the web site, www.dec.org.au and see if there is already an activity booked on the grounds. Sending an email or leaving a message is not booking the grounds. Book a day if available by “Book A Ride.” You must have booked and payed online before you enter the grounds. You may book and pay 0 hours in advance.

What ground fee do I pay?

  • The ground fee is $5.40 per horse/per day whether the horse is ridden or not.

  • The ground fee is paid when you “Book A Ride”.

How do I pay my ground fees when no one is there and the club rooms are not open?

All bookings are to be booked online and paid for by direct debit through the website under "Book A Ride”.

How do I book the grounds for lessons and clinics and other events? There is a booking form on the web site to book the grounds in advance which is sent to the booking officer. Single lessons with instructors need to be booked online at the time arranged with your instructor.

Are there additional fees for booking the grounds/clinics at the DEC?

Yes, there can be. Please see this web site under Fees Tab.  Or you can contact the secretary. You can also take any queries to your own club meetings or see your Dardanup Equestrian Centre Representative and they will assist you. Each club has three representatives on the DEC committee

How do I make a special request or have an issue dealt with in regards to using or booking the grounds at the Dardanup Equestrian Centre?

First take your issue or request to your club meeting and ask that it be tabled at the next DEC committee meeting. The DEC Committee meetings are held every two months on the first Wednesday of the month. If you have an urgent request, you can submit it to your DEC representative who will forward it to the DEC Secretary for distribution to the committee members. Please be aware that the issue may not be decided immediately and may have to be tabled at the next DEC meeting.

Do I need to notify the DEC Booking Officer if I am cancelling an event?

Yes. The grounds are in high demand and notifying the booking officer of a cancellation may allow others to book the grounds.