Riders, coaches, volunteers, clubs and centres from across the country have been recognised in the 2026 Pony Club Australia Annual Awards.
The Awards celebrate achievement in many different forms, from progress and success in the saddle to leadership, coaching, volunteering, horse welfare and the work being done to build strong and welcoming Pony Club communities.
This year’s recipients were announced in the 2026 Annual Awards Virtual Presentation on Thursday 22 October.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 award recipients.
Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 12 Years and Under
Lucy Archer – Midlands Pony Club, Tasmania
Proudly sponsored by VIPA Body Protector Vests
At just 11 years old, Lucy has shown impressive development as a rider alongside a strong commitment to her club and fellow members.
Over the past year, she has progressed from jumping 50cm courses to completing her first 90cm rounds, developed greater confidence in dressage and begun eventing with a horse previously used for polocrosse.
After breaking her arm shortly before Tasmania’s State Dressage and Showjumping Championships, Lucy still attended to strap for fellow club riders and later returned to a rally on foot to help coaches and members.
Her contribution reflects achievement both in and out of the saddle.
Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 13–17 Years
Ruby Atkins – Deloraine Pony Club, Tasmania
Proudly sponsored by Ranvet
Ruby has taken her Pony Club journey to the international stage while remaining an active member and young leader within Deloraine Pony Club.
A major highlight was her selection for the Australian International Mounted Games team, travelling to Kentucky and helping Australia claim first place.
She has also represented Tasmania in Virtual Nationals Dressage and Mounted Games, competed at State level across several disciplines and continued expanding her riding experience.
Away from competition, Ruby supports younger members, attends working bees, serves as her club’s Social Media Officer and contributes to the PCAT Awards Night Committee.
Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 18–25 Years
Jared Newham – Londonderry Pony Club, New South Wales
Proudly sponsored by Lara Tweedie Equestrian
Jared is an accomplished all-round horseman who combines his own riding achievements with a willingness to support the development of others.
While Mounted Games is his chosen discipline, Jared participates across a wide range of Pony Club activities and this year won Overall Horsemanship Champion at Londonderry Pony Club’s Horsemanship Competition.
He also represented New South Wales at the 2026 Pony Club Australia National Mounted Games Championships in Darwin.
His nomination highlighted his leadership and mentoring, including coaching younger Mounted Games riders and regularly helping behind the scenes at club, zone, State and national events.
Best Achievement by a Rider Aged Over 25 Years
Debbie Fraser – Port Lincoln Pony Club, South Australia
Proudly sponsored by Equinade
After around 30 years away from One Day Eventing, Debbie returned to the discipline this year and went on to win the 2026 State One Day Event Championships at Grade 5.
Her return has also encouraged other Port Lincoln riders to try eventing, with the club growing from a single representative at an event last year to eight riders and nine horses this year.
Debbie is now in her third year as President of Port Lincoln Pony Club and contributes across coaching, rallies, competitions, fundraising and committee work.
She is also continuing her own education, working towards her Preliminary Coaching Certificate and K Certificate.
Welfare and Soundness Award
Gemma Emmerson – Gosnells Riding & Pony Club, Western Australia
Proudly sponsored by Scootboot
For Gemma, putting the horse first is central to the way she trains, competes and cares for her horses.
Her nomination included an example from a State Tetrathlon qualifying event, where Gemma withdrew her former lease horse Beau from the ridden phase after noticing a soundness concern, despite knowing it would end her opportunity to qualify for the State Championships.
She applies the same approach with her young horse, carefully monitoring saddle fit, hoof condition, physical development, confidence and readiness for work.
Gemma is also working towards gear checking accreditation and regularly helps younger club members understand correct tack fit, horse care and safety.
Young Coach of the Year
Nicole Dragovich – Baldivis Equestrian & Pony Club, Western Australia
Proudly sponsored by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
As Chief Coach at Baldivis Equestrian & Pony Club, Nicole has brought organisation, variety and enthusiasm to the club’s coaching program.
Rallies are carefully planned around the Pony Club Australia Rider Syllabus, while members are also exposed to specialist coaching and activities including polocrosse, vaulting, veterinary education and Off The Track WA programs.
Nicole is progressing through her own coaching pathway while encouraging other young coaches to pursue Pony Club accreditation.
She is described by nominators as patient, approachable and genuinely invested in the progress of every member.
Miss Kay Irving Coach of the Year
Rebecca Ham – Tooradin Dalmore Pony Club, Victoria
Proudly sponsored by Equitation Science International
Bec is recognised for creating coaching environments where riders feel included, capable and confident to have a go.
She coaches across flatwork, jumping and theory and is skilled at adapting sessions for riders of different levels and abilities.
Bec has also made a strong contribution to C Certificate preparation, running additional sessions in her own time to help riders genuinely understand the material.
Her passion for Equitation Science is incorporated into her everyday coaching, helping riders connect syllabus theory with practical horse training and management.
She is also an active mentor to developing coaches and continues to invest heavily in her own professional development.
Volunteer of the Year
Rebecca “Bec” Elston – Maleny & District Horse & Pony Club, Queensland
Proudly sponsored by Earlwood Equine
Bec’s contribution reflects just how varied Pony Club volunteering can be.
She plays a key role in organising Maleny & District Horse & Pony Club’s Combined Training and Dressage events, contributes to grant applications, working bees and grounds maintenance, and volunteers at activities beyond her own club.
Her nomination also highlighted her work in governance, child safety and helping members understand committee and volunteer roles.
Bec is known for being approachable, generous with her time and willing to help wherever she is needed.
Accredited Riding Centre of the Year
Zia Park – Western Australia
Proudly sponsored by Duncan Equine
Zia Park has developed a broad Pony Club Australia program giving riders who do not own a horse the opportunity to learn through trained school horses.
Its monthly rally days combine ridden and theory sessions, with riders supported to progress through the Pony Club Australia syllabus and proficiency certificate pathway.
Programs extend from Tiny Tots Pony Experiences through to term lessons, school holiday programs, multi-day camps and a centre-based program with Guildford Grammar School.
Across its activities, Zia Park places a strong emphasis on riding skills, horse management, safety and welfare, while helping riders develop a lasting involvement with horses.
Club of the Year
Derwent Pony Club – Tasmania
Proudly sponsored by Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers
Derwent Pony Club has deliberately reshaped its program over the past three years, resulting in its membership doubling.
The club has broadened its rally program beyond traditional disciplines to include activities such as agility, pace riding, polocrosse, cowboy dressage, archery, vaulting, horseball and trail riding.
It has also introduced flexible half-day rally options, invested in facilities and created more opportunities for members to provide input into the club’s program.
Education remains central, with members supported through proficiency certificates and the club contributing to coach development across the wider Southern Zone.
Derwent’s growth reflects a thoughtful approach to creating a Pony Club that is flexible, welcoming and responsive to its members.
Celebrating our finalists and supporters
Pony Club Australia congratulates not only this year’s recipients, but every finalist recognised through the 2026 Annual Awards.
We also thank everyone who took the time to submit a nomination. Those nominations allow us to share the stories of people and organisations contributing to Pony Club in ways that may otherwise go unseen.
The 2026 Gillian Rolton Memorial Award for Pony Club Alumni Achievement was not presented this year. Nominations for the award will open again in 2027.
A huge thank you goes to our 2026 award sponsors:
VIPA Body Protector Vests, Ranvet, Lara Tweedie Equestrian, Equinade, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Equitation Science International, Earlwood Equine, Scootboot, Duncan Equine and Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers.
Their support helps Pony Club Australia recognise and celebrate the people and organisations making a difference throughout our community.
The full 2026 Pony Club Australia Annual Awards Virtual Presentation is available to watch on YouTube.
