Queensland state school students will not be able to represent their schools at an upcoming equestrian competition following a directive from the education department.
Three hundred students are set to compete at Equestrian Queensland's Interschool Queensland State Championships between June 26 and June 30.
But little more than a week out from the event parents were emailed a list of competitors and some realised their children had been listed as "independent" entrants.
Parent Kelly Frampton enquired and was told that the state Department of Education had issued an instruction that students would not be allowed to compete on behalf of their schools.
Ms Frampton's 10-year-old daughter Lily spent the past six months training and competing to qualify for the event.
"She's been riding for hours and hours everyday - everyday - to get ready and [compete], really excited . and can't wait to wear her uniform and represent her school," she said.
Ms Frampton said she had been unable to speak with the education department to get a reason for the decision.
Ms Frampton said all participating schools had to be affiliated with Equestrian Queensland and pay a membership fee that covered insurance.
She said every rider had to be a member of Equestrian Australia.
"They're required to wear appropriate safety gear, including helmets and boots and safety vests - there is an ambulance onsite for every event," Ms Frampton said.
"It's no less risky than your average rugby game, where kids get concussion every day of the week and nobody bats an eyelid."
Ms Frampton said her daughter was upset when she discovered she could not compete on behalf of her school.
"She was devastated and said, 'What's the point? If I'm going just as me, what's the point? Why would I go?'" she said.
"It would be like rocking up to the athletics carnival and not being able to wear your school uniform or telling anyone which school you are there for."
Lily will compete as an independent entrant because of the time and financial investment her family has made.
Ms Frampton said her daughter's team of five has been practising and competing weekly and that having to enter as independents meant the riders would not be eligible for team prizes.
The ban affects students from about 80 state schools.
Education Minister Grace Grace declined an interview on ABC Radio Brisbane.
In a statement to the ABC the education department said that in December 2022 regional offices asked whether the department was affiliated with Equestrian Queensland and asked for advice about "safety assessments for a number of horse riding events".
The statement said the department had developed a guideline for schools and sought feedback from Equestrian Queensland, Campdraft Australia and Pony Club Queensland.
"All state school principals in Queensland have been provided with updated guidance in relation to students competing in horse riding and equestrian events," the statement said.
"The department has been advised by Equestrian Queensland that students can participate in equestrian events in a private capacity without the need for school affiliation."
Equestrian Queensland chief executive Briston Toft said the reason for the change was not entirely clear, but that it was understood the department did not recognise equestrian as an official school sport.
"We've inquired and sought support about how we could work with the education department to make sure that could happen and we are hopeful," he said.
"Certainly disappointed right at this time, but hopeful that there might be a mechanism."
Mr Toft said it was believed the change related to the department not having the same level of oversight over the competition as it did for other sports.
He said it could be related to risk, "even though we have excellent risk assessment and standardised processes across our sport".
Mr Toft confirmed that there were a number of awards linked to performance, morale, leadership and collaboration that state school teams would now be ineligible for.
"That's probably the piece that's the most disappointing for families," he said.
"Those kids and families are really proud to represent their state schools.
"They're not now having that opportunity, like their peers who may be attending private or independent schools.
"But they still will then have the opportunity to participate on their own merits and have their performances recognised, irrespective of where they come from."