Papillon Riding Stables has been part of the fabric of Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre for more than 30 years, welcoming generations of riders and sharing with them a love of horses, horsemanship and learning.
Papillon was founded in 1994 by Sigrid Schaerf, whose belief in thoughtful, quality instruction and genuine partnership between horse and rider shaped the riding school from its very beginning.
Sigrid’s own journey with horses began at just five years old in her native Germany. After moving to Australia at 18, she trained for five years with renowned dressage rider and instructor Tina Wommelsdorf and went on to compete with her horse, Papillon, at Prix St George level. It was this special horse who would later lend his name to the riding school Sigrid created.
After working at Randwick Equine Centre, Sigrid discovered a passion for teaching and, in 1994, established Papillon Riding Stables at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre. Her knowledge, dedication and instinctive understanding of both horses and people became the foundation of Papillon. Her expertise also extended internationally, including travelling to Beijing in 2003 to train horses and riders from the Chinese Regional Equestrian Team.
More than three decades later, Papillon remains the longest-established riding school at Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre — something that reflects not only its history, but the community Sigrid built around it.
Following Sigrid’s passing in 2026, her absence is deeply felt by the Papillon community. However, the values she instilled in the riding school continue to guide everything we do.
Her legacy lives on through the horses she educated, the riders she taught, the coaches she mentored and the countless people whose lives were enriched through Papillon. It lives on every day in the care we give our horses, the quality of our teaching and the relationships we build with every rider who comes through our doors.
Today, our experienced team is proud to carry Papillon forward while remaining true to the philosophy Sigrid established more than 30 years ago:
To build harmony, communication and understanding between horse and rider.
Papillon Riding Stables is more than a place to learn to ride. It is the continuation of Sigrid’s life’s work, and we are incredibly proud to ensure her legacy continues for generations of riders to come.
