It attracts interstate and international competitors and visitors to major events like Barastoc HOTY, Dressage and Jumping with the Stars, Melbourne 3DE and the World Polo Championships. The Centre was officially opened in 1984 as the designated State Centre for equestrian activity and primarily as a focus for major equestrian events and elite training in Victoria. It consists of facilities suitable for both indoor and outdoor equestrian activities including dressage, show jumping, showhorse, polo and cross country. During the period prior to 1992, the facility was operated by the land manager, the Werribee Park Corporation. During this period, the facility was used from 1979 by the Victorian Polo Association - VPA and from 1975 the Equestrian Federation of Australia: Victorian Branch - EFA. In 1992, the facility was leased for a period of 21 years to the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre Inc. (WPNEC), an association comprising representatives of the VPA and EV. Under the terms of the lease, the joint lessees are required to manage and develop the premises as the equestrian Centre of the State of Victoria for the use of all equestrian users and equestrian user groups'. The Centre is located 20 kilometres from Melbourne within the Werribee Park precinct, easily accessible from the northern and western suburbs via the ring road/Princes Hwy. The ambience of the area in which the Centre is located, surrounded by market gardens, the zoo, the Mansion and The Mansion Hotel are ideal for equestrian activity.
