The push for a purpose-built centre comes as horse riding courses at Dubbo and Orange TAFE colleges are officially suspended by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

Western Institute of TAFE will have to reapply to ASQA if it wishes to run horse riding courses at Dubbo and Orange in the future.

ASQA is seeking further information about equine courses at other registered training organisations throughout Australia as a working group considers coroner’s recommendations into the death of Sarah Waugh.

The 18-year-old suffered multiple fractures of the skull, vertebrae separation and cerebral contusion on March 24, 2009 after falling from a former racehorse at the TAFE campus at Bourke Hill, on the western outskirts of Dubbo.

A coronial inquiry into Sarah’s death found the horse supplied to TAFE was “patently unsuitable for beginner riders” and the TAFE inquiry into the accident was “not worth the paper it was written on”.

Sarah’s heartbroken parents have spent almost three years writing letters to politicians, government departments and industry authorities to highlight the “failures of the TAFE system” and bring about changes to make riding courses for students “more professional and accountable.’’

“Some people may think we are on a witch-hunt but that is not the case at all,’’ Mrs Waugh told the Daily Liberal.

“We have no desire to see all horse training courses closed - we just want to ensure they are run in a professional and accountable manner.’’

Under conditions imposed by ASQA no students may be enrolled or allowed to continue or begin training or assessment relating to riding, caring for horses and stock work at Dubbo or Orange TAFE colleges.

The ruling was brought down by a meeting of ASQA Commissioners on January 10 this year and came into effect on January 11.

A spokesman for the NSW Department of Education and Communities said the course suspension does not apply to other TAFE institutes across NSW.

“TAFE NSW offers a wide range of courses across the state that may involve horse riding,’’ the spokesman said.

“Horse riding courses at Dubbo TAFE campus have not been conducted since October 2011.’’

The spokesman said the education department and TAFE were giving “ full and serious consideration” to all aspects of the coronial investigation into the death of Sarah Waugh and the coroner’s recommendations.

“The department is also engaging independent experts as appropriate and will report to the Attorney General,’’ the spokesman said.

The Western Institute of TAFE terminated its contract with the equine management centre at Orange campus of Charles Sturt University on January 13.

The university is proposing to close the facility if an alternative use cannot be found.