Pony Club Australia

Pony Club Australia

Spectator Sports

A life with horses starts here

About us

Objectives of Pony Club •To encourage people to ride and to learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with horses and riding •To provide instruction in riding and horsemastership and to instil in members the proper care of their animals. •To promote the highest ideals of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty, thereby cultivating strength of character and self-discipline

Industry
Spectator Sports
Company size
2-10 employees
Type
Nonprofit
Specialties
horses, horse riding, coaching, sports, participation, and youth development

Locations

Employees at Pony Club Australia

Updates

  • We're excited to welcome back Thoroughbred Breeders Australia as a sponsor of the PCA Annual Awards in 2025! TBA is once again backing the Young Coach of the Year award, won in 2024 by Adeline Collins from Corner Inlet Pony Club. Passionate about a career in the thoroughbred industry? TBA’s free education and training programs open doors to hands-on experience, expert-led courses, and global opportunities. Check them out here 👉https://lnkd.in/gRhMjzhu #PonyClubAustralia #ALifeWithHorsesStartsHere #PCAAwards2025

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  • Your horse gives their all, but are you recognising when they’ve had enough? Fatigue and overwork can creep up gradually, so it’s important to watch for signs, including: 🔹 Lethargy – Your horse feels dull, lacks energy, or doesn’t respond as usual. 🔹 Poor recovery – Their breathing and heart rate take longer than normal to return to resting levels. 🔹 Reduced interest in surroundings – They may seem withdrawn, less responsive to aids, or even reluctant to keep going. The workload you ask of your horse must match their age, size, strength, and fitness. Pushing a horse beyond their capability can lead to injuries, stress, and long-term performance setbacks. If you're unsure whether your horse is coping, ask your coach—it’s always better to stop early than risk overdoing it. A well-managed horse stays sound, happy, and ready to enjoy their work for years to come. Listen to them, and they’ll give you their best! 📸 Here's a great example of horse care in action! Mia from Beverley Horse and Pony Club - WA looks after her horse's welfare by loosening Rosie's girth after a round of games and novelty events. #PonyClubAustralia #PonyClubProud #ALifeWithHorsesStartsHere #WelfareWednesday

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  • Not all common bitting advice stands the test of time! One long-held myth is that a thicker bit is always kinder—but in reality, an overly thick bit can make it harder for a horse to close its mouth and respond to aids clearly. Read more from our guest columnist, accredited bit fitter Fiona Dearing from Bit Right - Equine Bit Fitting: https://bit.ly/4jVChOT

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  • Donald Pony Club may be small, but its members come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, united by their love of horses. With riders ranging from young beginners to seasoned equestrians in their 80s, the club offers a supportive community where everyone can stay active and nurture their passion for the sport. Read more from the The Buloke Times: https://bit.ly/3CLtTjZ

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  • We're delighted to welcome VIPA Body Protector back as a sponsor of the PCA Annual Awards for 2025! VIPA supports our 'Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 12 Years and Under' category. The VIPA III Body Protector offers top-level safety for riders, meeting Pony Club Australia compliance standards. Constructed with Air Mesh, it provides lightweight protection with excellent ventilation. With a rich equestrian background, VIPA is an Australian-owned business founded by retired champion jockey Greg Childs and his wife Diane, who have strong Pony Club connections. Show VIPA some love. Check out their website and discover the VIPA III Body Protector that keeps riders safe and protected > https://bit.ly/3S6mFvB

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  • We’re thrilled to welcome back long-term supporter Ranvet Pty Ltd as a sponsor of the PCA Annual Awards 2025! Once again, they’re backing the Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 13-17 Years category, won in 2024 by Natasha Schilling of Mildura Alcheringa Pony Club. A proud Australian-owned company, Ranvet leads the way in equine nutrition and healthcare, ensuring top-quality ingredients for the best in horse health and performance. 🐴✨ Show them some love and explore their range at www.ranvet.com.au ! #PonyClubAustralia #Ranvet #ALifeWithHorsesStartsHere

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  • Pony Club members, are you ready to turn your passion into a career? Applications are now open for the 2025 Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Fast Track Program! This free, 12-month program offers a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the thoroughbred industry, with a paid placement to help you get started. If you love horses and want to explore a career in racing or breeding, this could be your next step! Find out more and apply here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gWbCcw8J

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  • A 2017 study, 𝘕𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 – 𝘈𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 by Orla Doherty et al., examined the effects of noseband tightness in competition horses. The study found that 44% of competition horses in dressage and eventing had nosebands tightened so much that it was impossible to insert the ISES taper gauge under the noseband, effectively classified as zero fingers’ tightness. Only 7% of nosebands were fitted at the recommended level of two fingers’ tightness. The widespread use of restrictive nosebands raises concerns about potential welfare consequences for horses. ⚠️ 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 The study highlighted several potential consequences of excessive noseband tightness, including: 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀: Tight nosebands exert high pressure on the soft tissues of the face, particularly over prominent bones such as the nasal and jaw bones. This pressure can lead to discomfort, pain, and tissue damage. 𝗧𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲: Research suggests that sustained pressure above 350 mmHg can cause tissue damage. Some tight nosebands have been recorded exceeding 1,400 mmHg, well beyond the threshold for safe pressure levels. The pressures exerted by tight nosebands can exceed levels known to cause pain and tissue damage in humans and other animals. 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Excessive compression of facial nerves can lead to neural damage. In extreme cases, this may result in denervation, which can cause a loss of sensation in parts of the face. Trigeminal neuritis, a condition linked to head-shaking in horses, has also been associated with nerve compression. 𝗕𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗹𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: When the mucosa inside the horse’s mouth is pressed against sharp molars due to a tight noseband, ulceration and laceration may occur, causing pain and potential infection. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Horses use mouth movements to respond to bit pressure, adjust the position of the bit, and express discomfort. Overly tight nosebands can prevent these behaviours, potentially leading to increased stress and discomfort. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: The study referenced concerns that tight nosebands may restrict nasal expansion, which could impact a horse’s ability to breathe freely, particularly during strenuous exercise. #PonyClubAustralia #ALifeWithHorsesStartsHere #WelfareWednesday

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  • AWESOME INDI 🦄 Ava, from Mountain Pony Club, SA, shares why her fun and versatile paint mare deserves to be Pony of the Week. Here's the story of their journey together: "We both attend Mountain Pony Club, where there is always great rally days and events, and where we both get to try our very hardest. I have owned Indi for five years now and we like to do everything together. "In December last year we took home our first ever win in SJ in the 45cm class! Apart from that, we have gone to small events here and there just to gain confidence and get some exposure since it is still quite new for both of us. "We both enjoy going to Pony Club and having a go, all the way from games to eventing. My personal favourite is the SJ and I think it is hers too! "Add to that, we also got second in the PC Christmas dress-up rally - we dressed up as 'wet paint.'”🎨 "Indi is a very fun and wacky pony, always putting her best hoof forward. On other days she likes to relax and roll in the paddock untl her whole body turns a bay colour 😅 "Indi has taught me so much over the years and I am so grateful to have her and all the awesome opportunities Pony Club provides. "Indi always tries her hardest for me and I am so excited to get out to some more PC events this year 🤎🤍 🙌 Thank you, Ava, for sharing your wonderful journey with Indi! It’s clear you’re an amazing team, and your love for your pony and Pony Club truly shines through. We can’t wait to see what exciting adventures you both embark on next—happy riding! 🦄🎨 #PonyClubAustralia #PonyClubProud #ALifeWithHorsesStartsHere #PonyOfTheWeek #POTW

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