19/08/2026
EQUESTRIAN LAND DEVELOPMENTS | EST. 2000
For more than 25 years, Equestrian Land Developments (ELD) has been involved in the design, construction, restoration and maintenance of equestrian facilities throughout Australia.
Founded in 2000 by Todd Cunningham, ELD has grown from a small construction business into a specialist equestrian construction company, with more than 1,000 arenas constructed and extensive experience across private properties, equestrian centres, sporting clubs and larger-scale public facilities.
OUR CONSTRUCTION HISTORY
Our history in construction goes well beyond arenas.
Prior to establishing Equestrian Land Developments, Todd already had extensive experience in construction and civil works.
His early career included managing large-scale civil construction projects throughout South East Queensland, as well as undertaking specialised construction work internationally.
His experience has included road construction, major earthworks and underwater excavation, working across a range of challenging environments and conditions both in Australia and overseas.
This background in civil construction, earthworks and large-scale project management became the foundation for ELD and continues to influence the way we approach equestrian arena construction today.
Todd's father was a Master Farrier and this is where he gained his knowledge of horses physiology and the specific requirements for performance horses.
For more than 10 years, Todd and the team also operated ELD Sheds & Stables, designing and constructing sheds, stables and equestrian buildings.
This later developed into Todd Cunningham Projects Pty Ltd Pty Ltd, undertaking larger-scale shed, indoor arena and commercial construction projects.
That broader construction experience remains an important part of what we do today - particularly when it comes to understanding earthworks, drainage, access, levels, structures and the practical requirements involved in developing an equestrian property.
A LIFETIME AROUND AGRICULTURE & EQUESTRIAN LIFE
The experience behind ELD also comes from much further back than 2000.
Todd and our team come from families with long-standing backgrounds in agriculture and the equestrian industry, with generations of experience around horses, cattle properties, grain cropping and rural land management.
Growing up around horses, livestock, agricultural properties and the practical demands of working with the land has provided an understanding that goes beyond construction alone.
We understand that an equestrian property is more than just an arena. It needs to work with the land, drainage, access, surrounding paddocks, livestock, buildings and the way the property is actually used.
That practical, hands-on understanding of rural properties, horses and the land continues to influence the way we approach every project today.
ARENA CONSTRUCTION
Our core business is equestrian arena construction.
ELD constructs arenas for a wide range of disciplines and applications, including:
• Dressage & Show Jumping arenas
• Multi-purpose riding arenas
• Reining, Campdrafting & Carriage Driving arenas
• Competition arenas
• Private equestrian facilities
• Equestrian club & public-use facilities
Our experience covers the complete construction process, from site preparation and earthworks through to drainage, base preparation and installation of the finished riding surface.
ARENA REBUILDS & RESTORATION
Not every arena needs to be completely rebuilt.
We specialise in arena restoration, rebuilds and remediation, assessing existing arenas and determining what can be retained, repaired or reconstructed.
Whether an arena has drainage problems, uneven levels, surface issues, deterioration or simply needs to be brought back to a workable standard, we can assess the existing construction and recommend the most practical approach.
NATURAL MATERIALS & PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS
We believe an arena should be designed around the site, climate, drainage, intended use or discipline and available natural materials, rather than simply following a one-size-fits-all formula.
Where practical, we prefer natural materials and products over synthetic alternatives, with an emphasis on durable, functional riding surfaces suited to Australian conditions.
Our approach is based on more than 25 years of experience working with Queensland's challenging weather, soils, drainage conditions and changing site environments.
ELD ARENA SPREAD-A-BAR
Our experience maintaining arenas also led to the design, development and supply of the ELD Arena Spread-a-bar - a purpose-built arena maintenance tool designed to assist with the regular maintenance of equestrian riding surfaces.
We believe good arena maintenance is just as important as good arena construction.
ARENA MAINTENANCE VISITS
Our specialist Arena Maintenance Visit service is designed for clients who want their arena professionally maintained at regular intervals.
Our team attends the property using our specially designed Automated Laser Plane equipment to accurately restore the riding surface to the original base modelling depths.
Maintenance visits can be scheduled at 3, 6 or 12-month intervals, depending on the arena, surface, use and individual requirements.
These professional maintenance visits work alongside your regular weekly arena maintenance using the ELD Arena Spread-a-bar, helping maintain correct surface depths, levels and overall arena performance.
CURRENTLY SERVICING QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN NSW
Today, ELD is based on the Sunshine Coast and continues to service clients throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
From a private dressage arena to a large-scale equestrian facility, our goal remains the same:
To construct quality, long-lasting equestrian facilities designed to perform for the people and horses who use them.
With more than 25 years of construction experience in the equestrian industry and more than 1,000 arenas constructed, you're not just engaging an arena contractor - you're engaging a team with decades of hands-on experience in:
Equestrian Arena Construction | Earthworks | Drainage | Arena Restoration | Arena Rebuilds | Arena Maintenance | Equestrian Property Development
EQUESTRIAN LAND DEVELOPMENTS
Arena Construction | Rebuilds | Restoration | Maintenance
ELD Arena Spread-a-bar
Established 2000
