Delegate Pony Club held its monthly rally earlier this month with six riders attending on the day.
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The pony club with 20 plus members has only been up and running since March 2013, but already has 20 or more members including riders and the committee.
The youngest rider is only three years old and the oldest is 15 years old.
The club was started by Nerida Reed and Emma Sellers with help from Sinead Cameron, who held their first fundraiser at the Bombala Australia Day festival that helped secure funds to re-establish the pony club.
Delegate Pony Club committee member Melissa Kidd said at the first rally in March 2013, the club had 23 riders join up.
“Some of these included children who had never ridden before, but have since purchased their own pony and gear,” Ms Kidd said.
“Some of our riders have only started riding in the last 12 months and have never competed before and they have come away with a placing.”
At pony club rallies members have devised ways to keep the young riders interested.
“We have developed a few games for the kids to play and quite often we ‘dress up’ with clothes over their riding attire,” Ms Kidd said.
Delegate Pony Club attends gymkhanas at Adaminaby and Nimmitabel and all the riders have been placed in a least one event with some riders placing in 90 per cent of events.
“We have had riders attending events in Victoria representing Delegate Pony Club and successfully competed against more experienced competitors,” Ms Kidd said.
The pony club meets on a monthly basis and each meet is different according to the standard of the rider, though some standards have to be met.
Ms Kidd said the safety of the rider and horse is paramount, as is learning the pony club rules.
“We regularly have guest instructors that focus on certain aspects including jumping, troop drills, show riding and preparation,” she said.
In 2016, Delegate Pony Club will host an instructors course for people interested in becoming involved in pony club activities.
Delegate Pony Club’s next rally is on Sunday, December 6, with a gear check 9.30am for 10am start.