PONY CLUB
Pony Club is an international organization that has grown to be the largest world
riding group and one of the world's biggest youth movements. In Australia, the Australian Pony Club Council oversees each state organisation, which in Queensland is called the Pony Club Association of Qld (PCAQ) with the common aims to promote horsemanship, horse mastership, sportsmanship and self-reliance in young people. Each state is divided up into a series of regions and zones with Moura Hack and Pony club being a member of Capricornia Zone 9 which is part of the Central Region of PCAQ.
riding group and one of the world's biggest youth movements. In Australia, the Australian Pony Club Council oversees each state organisation, which in Queensland is called the Pony Club Association of Qld (PCAQ) with the common aims to promote horsemanship, horse mastership, sportsmanship and self-reliance in young people. Each state is divided up into a series of regions and zones with Moura Hack and Pony club being a member of Capricornia Zone 9 which is part of the Central Region of PCAQ.
All the clubs in Zone 9 select delegates to form a committee which runs the zone events. Each club will hold a gymkhana every year within the Zone. Any club throughout our zone and others are invited to participate in club gymkhanas and zone events. The other clubs in Zone 9 are Banana, Baralaba, Bauhinia, Biloela, Bororen, Callide Valley, Calliope, Gladstone, Goovigen, Monto, Theodore and Wowan.
As a totally amateur organization, pony club requires a good deal of parental involvement to operate successfully. Parents or guardians of children under 17 years must attend rallies and gymkhanas when their children are riding. Pony Club is as the name implies, a club and if you wish to become a member you must be prepared to contribute time to help run the club, attend meetings, maintain equipment, fund raise etc.
As a pony club member you will be expected to present yourself and your horse in a clean and tidy condition and to be punctual at rallies. Swearing and smoking is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Pony club can be most rewarding and a lot of fun, but it requires the co-operation of all its members to operate successfully.
HOW YOU CAN HELP PONY CLUB
Pony club, like any other youth movement, needs adults to organize and administer its activities. Many of these adults may have a specialized knowledge of accountancy, carpentry etc which are invaluable to a club. So do not be shy about offering your services even if you know little about horses.
A word here about pony club instructors. They are the linchpin to the success of pony club as no rally day can run without them. They are dedicated people, from all professions and all walks of life, who devote much time and effort to helping children get the most out of their riding and to take better care of their ponies. The instructors are not only unpaid but most of them spend time and money attending courses to further their knowledge. Naturally they vary, and some are more expert and experienced than others but there is not one who is not keen to see their pupils improve and enjoy themselves. They need parental support and help setting up activities.
BE ON TIME: If your child is dependent on you for transport then get him or her there on time.
BE TACTFUL: Take an interest but never interrupt a lesson in progress by talking to the instructor or to the child, or by making audible comments on the sidelines. Discuss any concerns with the chief instructor or whoever is in charge of the rally and with your child's instructor after the lesson.
BE HELPFUL: Assist with the games section of the rally. Ensure that fair play and order prevails especially to the ponies. Help is always needed to set up jumping gear under the instructor's direction along with picking up rails and altering fences.
BE ORGANISED: Parents can organize a roster to help out in the canteen on rally days, clean toilets and the shed regularly and they can also help set up sporting events and organize an exchange stall, which is a great asset to any club in view of the cost of new tack and the fact that children's riding clothes are usually outgrown long before they are outworn
BE A FUNDRAISER: Offer to organize raffles etc. Help to organize major events like dances, gymkhanas the like. Suggestions are welcome.
Before, during and after competition days, there are many jobs to be done including:
These jobs are easily explained, and it is satisfying to be part of the action. This list may look daunting but it is only intended to suggest ways to help. Don't think you will be involved in all these ways to help. Don't think you will be involved on all of these activities the moment you appear at pony club. It is more likely that overworked instructors and officials will hardly have time to greet you. Make yourself known, say how much time you have available, if you would like to help and get involved. The club needs your help and it is much appreciated and distributes the workload.
WORKING BEES: At various times throughout the year it is necessary to hold working bees. These are held to maintain and prepare grounds and equipment for training and for our club competitions.
ATTEND MEETINGS: The club values your involvement and contributions at meetings.
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY: Join the club yourself as a social member and be prepared to accept a position on the committee.
HELP INSTRUCT: Become an instructor. Instructor's schools are held every year with examinations held every year on the first weekend in December.
FINANCES AND FUNDRAISING: The clubs income is drawn from membership fees, street raffles and donations. The clubs expenditure is usually zone and PCAQ affiliation fees, the annual gymkhana (trophies, ribbons, sashes and advertising), slashing of grounds, maintenance of equipment, purchasing of new equipment and the annual break up and end of year trophies.
