ACM20217 Certificate II In

Horse Care
(Superseded)

This course has been superseded and is no longer available at AVT

A Course for Horse People, Created by Horse People

Are you passionate about horses and their care? Looking to further your knowledge or focus on a career in the equine industry? Our nationally recognised ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care is a unique training course for those passionate about all things equine! A career working with horses is extremely rewarding and satisfying, and this qualification is a great way to make your dream become reality!

This horse care course is ideal if you are:-

  • looking to pursue a career in the equine industry
  • a volunteer or already working in the equine industry
  • a competitive rider seeking more knowledge and expertise in equine care
  • looking for a future career in equine veterinary nursing and need exposure to horse care

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  • an existing veterinary nurse who is seeking more experience in equine care
  • seeking more experience with horses to go on to further training
  • a leisure rider who just wants more knowledge about horses
  • a property owner caring for horses.

Course snapshot

  • Duration: up to 1 year
  • Enrolments: Now Closed (this course has been superseded)
  • Practical Training: Supervised in a facility of your choice
  • Online Study Time: Approx. 10-15 hours per week
  • Prerequisite: none required
  • Best suited to: Those how are looking to pursue a career in the equine industry or those looking for more skills, knowledge and expertise in the area of horse care.
Nationally recognised animal care course in Australia NRT
Equine and Horse care qualification - online course Australia
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Course outline

This course is delivered online and you will not be required to attend classes or lectures. You will:-

  • be provided with a login to our Online Learning Platform where you will find all of the course materials including interactive learning material, videos, and assessments. 
  • receive the personal support of our qualified Trainers & Assessors either via email, online chat, video call or phone.  Our education team is made up of experienced and working veterinary nurses, veterinarians and animal scientists who have hands-on experience with horses.  
  • have help and assistance from our student support team to help you stay on track

To gain the valuable practical skills required to successfully complete this course, you will need access to at least three different calm, consistent and obedient horses. This can be with your own horses, through contacts that you have in the horse care industry or by approaching equine facilities in your local area. You will need to arrange to have your practical skills supervised by a competent person, your supervisor. Your chosen supervisor should be: A person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience, the knowledge and skills to ensure your safety whilst you are interacting with horses.

Your chosen equine facility will enable you to put into practice the theory components of the course, develop essential hands-on skills that are necessary for a career in the horse care industry and complete the compulsory practical assignments that are an important part of the assessment towards your qualification. Ideal equine facilities might include agistment centres, riding schools, trail riding centres, animal welfare shelters or equestrian centres.

We encourage our students to select an equine facility that will be most suited to their chosen interest in the horse care industry. We can provide guidance as to how to select and approach a suitable facility.

At your chosen equine facility you will be expected to complete all practical assignments, which are an essential part of the assessment criteria for this course.

Here’s a few important points about your chosen equine facility:-

  • You are ultimately responsible for finding and securing a suitable location to carry out your practical skills assessments. This means you have the flexibility to select a facility that suits your location, availability and interests.
  • We suggest you have at least one facility in mind prior to commencing your enrolment.
  • All equine facilities must be reviewed and authorised by an AVT Student Support Team Member prior to commencing your logged hours. You will receive an Approval Kit to assist you with this requirement.
  • If you are already working or volunteering in a horse-related business or organisation, it is likely you will be able to use your place of employment for your practical training.

The Certificate II in Horse Care is a great building block for those with an interest in horse care. There are no prerequisites for entry into this course, however, to enrol in this course you will need to:-

  • be passionate about all things equine,
  • a minimum of year 9 high school age
  • have some experience with horses e.g. Pony club. If you do not yet have experience please contact us for further advice,
  • be physically capable of fulfilling the requirements of this course, including grooming, leading and tacking up horses and lifting up to 10kg bags,
  • have access to suitable horses and a competent supervisor for your practical assessments
  • have a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop computer, laptop or electronic device. You will be required to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media files online, therefore we strongly recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for your studies
    to be proficient in speaking and writing in English.

All students will be contacted by the Equine Program Manager to ensure they meet the criteria listed above. Please note: Riding is not compulsory for this course.

We are unable to offer this course to students currently living overseas or those on a student visa. For more information visit our frequently asked questions below:-

When you visit your chosen horse care facility for your practical training you will be required to wear:

  • an AVT shirt and name badge (supplied by AVT),
  • an AVT wind-stopper jacket if required (supplied by AVT)
  • standard ridged sole work boots (supplied by student),
  • full length work pants suitable for bending and moving freel (supplied by student),
  • properly fitting hard hat complying with current industry standards (supplied by student),
  • work gloves (supplied by student).

You will be required to wear the AVT uniform unless specified by the equine facility. 

What will you learn?

You will complete 14 units of study covering a broad range of topics relating to the principles of working in the animal care industry.  You will be introduced to:-

  • Equine behaviour and welfare
  • Safe and effective handling techniques including loading
  • Daily husbandry routines for horses
  • Fitting gear and equipment
  • Equine health and nutrition
  • Assessment of horse conformation
  • Preparing for a horse competition
  • Equine first aid
  • Safe and effective lunging

All of the skills and knowledge you will learn can be applied across a broad range of horse care facilities. For more information on jobs and careers in this industry, read our article Ten Rewarding Careers that Involve Working with Horses.

Qualification and training in horse care - online studies

Course outcomes

Our graduates go on to a wide range of roles across the equine and animal care industry. 

Job Outcomes

Students who have completed the Certificate II in Horse Care go on to careers as a:

  • Stable hand in a variety of equine care environments
  • Equine veterinary assistant
  • Stud hand
  • Farm hand
  • Stock rider
  • Trail ride assistant
  • Equine events assistant
  • Equine retail including pet shops and specialist horse retail outlets

This qualification can also provide a basis for further study at Certificate III or IV level including AVT’s Vet Nursing course and provides an accredited equine-related qualification for those wishing to pursue further studies.

Skills Outcomes

As well as becoming confident in handling horses, here are some of the skills you will be able to apply once qualified:-

  • Handling and caring for horses safely
  • Undertaking stable duties
  • Fitting gear correctly
  • Lunging horses safely
  • Assisting with horse exercise work
  • Preparing horses for competition
  • Skills for handling horses for competition
  • Safe transportation of horses including loading and unloading

Course content

ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care is comprised of 14 units covering the principles of working in the equine and horse care industry. You will be required to study the units listed below:-

  • ACMEQU201 Work safely in industries with horses
  • ACMEQU202 Handle horses safely
  • ACMEQU203 Provide basic care of horses
  • ACMEQU204 Perform daily tasks in the horse industry
  • ACMEQU205 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour
  • ACMGAS202 Participate in workplace communications

You will also be required to study the following compulsory elective unit:-

  • ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
  • ACMHBR203 Provide daily care for horses
  • ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid
  • RGRHBR304 Assess suitability of horses for specific uses
  • ACMEQU210 Lunge educated horses
  • ACMEQU211 Prepare horses for competition, presentation or sale
  • ACMHBR201 Check and treat horses
  • AHCLSK211 Provide feed for livestock

Why choose our Online eLearning course for Horse Care?

  • Complete flexibility – you can start and study whenever you like to suit your lifestyle and commitments.
  • Professionally managed and delivered course – complete with online instructional videos and materials to help you understand and apply theory with ease.
  • Affordable, all inclusive monthly payment plan to help you manage your student fees.
  • This course will allow you to meet the prerequisite for AVT’s Veterinary Nursing course – you can gain your qualification in under 12 months and then apply for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to become a qualified veterinary nurse*.
  • This certificate increases your opportunities for employment in the horse care industry and gives recognition towards entry into further studies.

*Please note: Completion of this qualification meets the prerequisite for ACM40418 Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing. However, it does not guarantee you a place on one of our own courses. Due to high demand, our AVT selection criteria also apply. Please read full details on our Veterinary Nursing Course Entry page.

Nationally recognised animal care course in Australia NRT

What students are saying about this course

Fees & inclusions

Total course fees: $2,795*

Payable via our monthly payment plan. Initial payment of $265 plus 11 x $230 monthly payments and includes:-

  • Learning guides (Downloadable)
  • Textbooks (Downloadable)
  • Dedicated student support
  • One-on-one mentoring by AVT lecturers
  • Assessments and Certification
  • Practical training insurance
  • Work Placement Kit: AVT Polo Shirt, AVT Wind Stopper Jacket, Name Badge and Workbook

*Fees, inclusions and payment plan amounts are subject to change. If you decide to withdraw from study for any reason, refunds are not issued. Please see our policies page for full details.

Register your interest

Stay Informed…

ACM20117 Certificate II in Horse Care has been superseded by a new course. Applications are currently closed whilst we work towards bringing new horse care course options.  Stay up to date with the latest by registering your interest below. 

Course Name
Application Status
ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care
Online eLearning Applications Close: 19th December 2022

Ready to enrol? It’s easy, just complete our online application form prior to the 19th December 2022. We are no longer taking enrolments for this course after this date.  Once we have received and reviewed your submission you will receive an email outlining the next steps to get started. 

FAQs

General Information FAQ – Horse Care

We do not hold a formal Open Day, however we often attend careers expos and events organised by schools. Throughout the year we conduct information sessions which are offered by invitation. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions please contact us.

Animal Care Courses (Previously Animal Studies) 

ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care and ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (previously Animal Studies) are Online Courses except for the on-campus courses below:

For the online courses, you do not need to attend lessons. A majority of your study will take place at home, online. You will also need to attend an approved workplace to complete practical training. All assessments are completed and submitted online.

Veterinary Nursing

Our ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing course is offered in either an online eLearning, blended or on-campus mode. If you choose our on-campus mode, you will be expected to attend classes at our campus each week throughout the term. Online students, do not need to attend classes however blended learning students attend regular online virtual classroom sessions.

Animal Behaviour and Training

ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training is offered via blended learning. Your theory and interactive lessons are studied from home via online eLearning and Zoom classes, plus you will attend group training workshops at a training facility in Perth WA.

All online eLearning students from Animal Studies, Animal Behaviour and Training, Horse Care and Veterinary Nursing qualifications are invited to attend workshops throughout the year. These helpful training sessions provide practical experience and give you face-to-face access to our lecturers and tutors. Workshops are held at our campus in Perth, Western Australia. For more information, visit our Workshops Page.

 

We have a team of highly qualified Trainers and Assessors who have worked in various areas of the animal industry (take a look at our ‘Meet Our Team’ page!). Our Trainers and Assessors are always on hand to answer any questions or provide further support, explanations or clarification of any of the course material. They’ll mentor and coach you through the course material when required. You can contact our Trainers via phone, email or video call.

AVT offers high quality study material written, reviewed and delivered by Veterinarians, Animal Scientists and Veterinary Nurses with formal training qualifications. Our in-house training team have spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours creating course resources for our units of competency across all courses.

The difference between registered training providers’ course content across all RTOs including TAFE is often the units contained in the course and the quality of the material. There are many units that can be included in a course and training providers nominate a selection of units they will offer to students.

Our courses are broad-based and give an excellent introduction to working with animals across all species. They provide a fantastic opportunity to learn about many different animals and most importantly allow you to apply what you learn from our online course material or in the classroom to the workplace.

To find out more about the units offered within each course visit the Course Content section on our qualifications pages.

The table below details the duration and maximum allowable time you can take to complete our courses. Our online courses are self-paced, meaning you can obtain your qualification much sooner if you wish to as long as all assessments and training have been successfully completed.

Extensions are available on a case by case review. For more information about extensions please visit our Student Policies page.

QualificationDuration
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care1 Year
ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care
1 Year
ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
2 Years
ACM40321 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour & Training
1 Year
ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour & Training
1 Year
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Online eLearning
2 Years
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Blended Learning
2 Years
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing On-campus Full-time
1 Year
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing On-campus Part-time
1.5 Years
Equine Veterinary Nursing Certificate1 Year

+ The ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies and ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies have been updated by the regulating bodies to meet the Standards for Training Packages. As such, ACM20117 has been superseded by ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, and ACM30117 has been superseded by ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services. All students currently studying ACM20117 or ACM30117 will be expected to complete the qualification by their original course end date or 12th April 2023 (whichever is sooner).  No extensions will be granted.

Individuals employed by a business under an Apprenticeship or Traineeship arrangement can nominate any RTO (Registered Training Provider) with the relevant qualifications on scope to provide training for their chosen qualification, provided that RTO has the capacity to deliver the qualification under traineeship conditions.

Often the choice of RTO is a joint decision made between the Employer and the Trainee/Apprentice, to ensure the mode of delivery is suitable for both Trainee and Employer needs,

AVT currently only accepts new entrant traineeship nominations for ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies, where the trainee has an approved training contract registered with the Apprenticeship Office.

Further information about Apprenticeships and Traineeships can be found at www.apprenticeshipsupport.com.au/states/Western-Australia

Qualification FAQs – Horse Care

Yes, our qualifications in Vet Nursing, Horse Care (previously offered) and Animal Studies/Care are nationally recognised and accredited.

Our company, Applied Vocational Training (AVT),  is fully registered by the Australian Government training registration authority ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority).  Our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) number is 5273. The qualifications we offer are nationally recognised Certificates.

We’re also supported and endorsed by the Australian Veterinary Association. Our registration authority can be viewed on the training.gov.au website, which is the Australian Government’s website for details of registered courses and training providers – view our details here.

We strongly recommend you search the training.gov.au website for any training organisation you may be considering.

We follow the national training package for all qualifications. The latest version of the training package can be viewed here. Training.gov.au is the Australian Government Website for registered training courses and providers.

Fees FAQs – Animal Studies Intensives

Concession fees are only available to eligible students for selected courses which have been granted government funding. Currently, this applies to the following courses offered by AVT:

For more information on the eligibility criteria please see the fees section of the course pages above.

None of the courses currently offered by Applied Vocational Training are eligible for Government HECS-HELP or VET Student Loans (formerly VET FEE-HELP).

HECS-HELP is a scheme that assists eligible Commonwealth supported students to pay their student contribution amount with either a loan or a discount for certain up-front payments. HECS‑HELP loans are available at all public universities and at a handful of private higher education providers.

VET Student Loans is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students studying diploma level and above qualifications to pay their tuition fees. VET Student Loans replaces VET FEE-HELP from 1 January 2017. There are no Government loans available for Certificate IV  and lower levels of study including those offered at AVT.

To find out if you may be eligible for alternative support such as Youth Allowance, we recommend contacting Centrelink .

We offer flexible monthly payment plans with instalments for all students. We do not require upfront full payment for any of our courses. Total course fees and payment plan structure vary with each course and individual circumstances. Visit the relevant qualifications page for more information or contact us for further details.

International – FAQ

In some cases, registered training organisations (RTOs) may enrol non-resident students who are temporarily visiting or reside in Australia on certain visas, other than study visas. However, some visas include restrictions on training. Most visas and sub-class visas clearly outline what your study rights are in Australia. It is the responsibility of the individual to check their study and work rights according to their individual visa. Further information is also available from the Department of Home Affairs.

Visa information for Jobs & Skills WA Funding Jobs and Skills WA funded programs

Students wishing to be considered for funded places in the ACM40418 Certificate  IV in Veterinary Nursing should visit this page for more detailed information about eligibility

Students wishing to be considered for funded places in the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Health & Welfare) course should visit this page for detailed information about eligibility.

Students wishing to be considered for funding places in the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA) course should visit this page for detailed information about eligibility.

    Related FAQ’s:

     

    In some cases, a registered training organisation (RTO) may enrol students who are temporarily visiting or reside in Australia on certain visas, other than study visas. However, some visas include restrictions on training. Most visas and sub-class visas clearly outline what your study rights are in Australia. It is the responsibility of the individual to check their study and work rights according to their individual visa* . Further information is also available from the Department of Home Affairs.

    *Any course undertaken by a student visa holder must be registered on CRICOS and training must be provided by a CRICOS registered provider (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). Applied Vocational Training is not a registered CRICOS provider and as such we are unable to accept applications from individuals wishing to study on a student visa.

    Related FAQ’s:

    I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?

    I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?

    Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

    I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?

    Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

     

    Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS

    This answer specifically addresses students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.

    Unfortunately, we are unable to assist individuals with studying as an international student as we do not hold the required CRICOS registration “The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

    The following link outlines the main steps to be taken to be able to study in Australia homeaffairs.gov.au. This will require applying for a student visa under the Vocational Education and Training Sector. However, you will need to have been accepted into a full-time study course by a CRICOS approved provider and then apply for the student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.

    You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia who can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer courses in Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing.

    Related FAQ’s:

    Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?

    I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?

    Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

    I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?

    I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?

    Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS

    This answer specifically addresses international students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.

    Unfortunately, we are unable to assist individuals with studying as an international student in Australia as we do not have the necessary registration with our government to enrol students in Australia on a Student Visa. The required registration for this is CRICOS ‘The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students’.

    To find out more about studying in Australia we recommend visiting the Australian Government website: homeaffairs.gov.au. This will require applying for a student visa under the Vocational Education and Training Sector. However, you will need to have been accepted into a full-time study course by a CRICOS approved provider and then apply for the student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.

    You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia who can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer courses in Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing

    Related FAQ’s:

    Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

    Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?

    I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?

    I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?

    I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?

     

    Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS

    All qualifications offered by Applied Vocational Training require students to learn and demonstrate knowledge and practical application of a significant amount of Australian local and state legislation, regulations and standards.

    In other countries, legislation, regulations and standards are often different, making it difficult for us to assess and recognise competence in all areas.

    As such, Applied Vocational Training no longer accepts applications from students living overseas*

    Important note for students wishing to return or live in Australia

    * Individuals who currently live overseas but are intending to return and or/live in Australia may be considered for enrolment. If such enrolment were to occur it would not be possible for any certification to be awarded until the student could be assessed as competent in Australia, regardless of the amount of course work completed overseas.

     

    Related FAQ’s:

    I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?

    Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?

    I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?

    Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

    I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?

     

    RPL – FAQ

    To receive a credit for a unit of competency that you have previously been awarded, you must be able to supply a verifiable Testamur (certificate) or Statement of Attainment obtained from the issuing provider.

    A Testamur or Statement of Attainment must either contain the wording ‘The qualification is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework’ or the AQF logo authorised by the AQF Council.

    A Record of Results or Statement of Academic Record by itself is not sufficient when applying for a credit transfer of a nationally recognised unit of competency.

    If you do not have a copy of your Testamur or Statement of Attainment you are responsible for requesting a copy from the issuing provider, we are unable to do this on your behalf.

    For more information about RPL see our frequently asked questions here.

    Yes. If you have completed and passed the exact same unit as delivered by AVT, you will receive a credit transfer for the unit.  You must be deemed competent and be awarded a PASS in the unit.

    At the time of application, you will be required to provide us with a Statement of Attainment from a recognised and approved training provider. We will verify your previous studies with the training provider.

    For information about fees and charges that apply to credit transfers, please see our student policy page.

    Credit transfer fees do not apply for students who have completed a previous qualification with AVT.

     

    Yes. You can use units of competency received from a prior qualification even if the unit is different from an elective unit required by AVT.  You can claim a credit transfer (CT) for these units as long as:-

    • the unit is current and relevant to work undertaken in the animal care and management industry and
    • you hold a Statement of Attainment from the issuing provider.

    If this is the case, then you may use previous units of study to fulfil the elective component of the qualification.

    You will be required to provide us with a Statement of Attainment from a recognised and approved training provider at the time of application. We will verify your previous studies with the training provider.

    For information about fees and charges that apply to credit transfers, please see our student policy page. 

    Please note, we are unable to offer RPL or Train and Assess any other elective unit of competency other than the ones provided in the courses offered on our website.

    For a full list of our qualifications visit our Qualifications Overview page 

    In meeting the required rules of evidence and principals of assessment, AVT is unable to provide recognition of prior learning (RPL) to candidates who can not demonstrate recent and current skills and knowledge.

    Applicants need to be able to demonstrate that they meet the competency requirements of the current training package including application of current industry techniques using the latest technology, equipment and supplies in accordance with the current standards and regulations.

    If you wish to gain certification as a veterinary nurse or animal carer without having current experience, you will need to enrol in and complete the full course.

    Read more about RPL here

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available to enrolled students of AVT qualifications.  The prior learning may be in the form of previous studies or completed qualifications (including superseded qualifications), on the job experience or volunteer work.

    To find out more detailed information about RPL visit our RPL page.

    Students with eligible credit transfers may apply, however, due to the course delivery format, 100% attendance is required for induction and practical training/on-site days and therefore full course fees will apply. Credit transfer fees do not apply for Jobs and Skills WA funded students.

    Why choose AVT?

    Dedicated Animal Care College

    AVT has been delivering Vet Nursing and Animal Care related courses for over 20 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!

    Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

    Outstanding Track Record

    A recent NCVER VET student outcomes report found 93% of AVT graduates were employed or enrolled in further study after training and 95% of graduates would recommend the training provided by AVT

    Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

    Safe and Supported Learning

    Our qualified teaching team have many years of experience as well as extensive backgrounds in the veterinary and animal care industry. They are approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.

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    Proudly supporting...

    Swan Valley Dressage Association (SVDA) based in Western Australia aims to raise the profile of dressage by encouraging excellence, increasing participation and by showcasing the sport whilst always respecting the welfare of horses. AVT is thrilled to support SVDA events in Western Australia in 2021.