One of three surviving historic locations and inextricably linked to Fitzgibbon’s past and present, the former Somerset Equestrian Centre facility was a busy place back in the day. It had a large track in the area where there are now houses, in addition to the stables and other facilities that remain on the site today.

Both 12 and 42a Desert Willow Way were part of the equestrian centre. An article about the property at 12 Desert Willow Way states that “in 1979 just one house stood in the district”. The house, then owned by Cholm Vidgen, was originally built in Cannon Hill during the 1930s. It remained there until Mr Vidgen relocated it in 1979 to a 67-acre property in Fitzgibbon. The property began its new life as a homestead for an equestrian centre, with visitor’s accommodation next door.

In 1986 the Equestrian Centre hosted the Queensland Derby over three weekends. This involved a mixture of events and jumpers from around the state and overseas—and an expected crowd of over 15,000 people. While it was suggested that the Equestrian Centre could become a place with enduring regional focus, this never eventuated.

Cholm Vidgen had a strong interest in property development. In 1990 he was involved, through EVE Developments, in the Greenfields Estate that arose out of the Fitzgibbon Development Plan introduced by the Liberal Council under Lord Mayor Sallyanne Atkinson. The area where the large track used to be and across Desert Willow Way to Tulip Close was developed into housing as “The Greenfields Estate”, leaving no trace of the track, stables or any part of the equestrian activity that was conducted there for many years.

Somerset Equestrian Centre was still operating at least until April 2012, when a show jumping event was held. On 21 September 2012, 42A Desert Willow Way was sold to horse trainer Patrick Brian Timothy Rosel and Vanessa Jane Rosel. When the Rosels listed the property for sale in September 2017, it was “Registered and licensed for 9 thoroughbreds. 450sqm Arena, spilling stables. 3,600sqm Approx. paddock space.”

Today both properties are private residences, with the original buildings at the Somerset Equestrian Centre and 12 Desert Willow Way the only reminder of the past.

Somerset Equestrian Centre images provided by Keith Heinrich with kind permission from Hudson Dale.