Horses for courses at the National Arboretum

Situated among the beautiful Buchan Blue acacia trees, the new yard will allow horse riders to safely tie up their horses and take full advantage of the Village Centre and picturesque views.

Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury, who attended the opening, said: "It only adds to the energy of the place."

"The arboretum site has always been a very popular horse riding area and I'm very pleased that horses can continue to be a part of the arboretum landscape.

"This certainly gives people now the capacity to come here and have a picnic at the arboretum as part of their horse riding adventure for the day.

"With the water, mounting block and some shade over the yard, we've really got all of the key ingredients for the right kind of horse holding area."

ACT Equestrian Centre president Christine Lawrence is one of the many regular riders happy to finally have a place to rest their horse.

She says the yard is in an ideal location for those riding through the area.

"The yard is a safe way for horses to stop and have a rest while their owners use the toilet or have a cup of coffee," she said.

"It's very helpful and much safer than before."

The ACT Equestrian Association donated almost a fifth of the funds to the $22,000 government-funded project.

Mr Rattenbury is encouraging local riders to make the most of the new facility.

"The government had real confidence that this is something the horse riding community wanted.

"In putting our own money, we know this is the right project and in the right location so we really welcome that partnership."