Pony Club Australia is proud to announce the talented riders who will represent our nation at the 2025 International Mounted Games Exchange (IMGE) in the United Kingdom!
The team will arrive in Yorkshire, England on Sunday 27 July, ready for an exciting two-week adventure filled with sightseeing, cultural exchange, and elite-level competition. The highlight will be the international competition held at the JCB Pony Club Championships on Saturday 10 August, where Australia will face off against teams from across the globe.
This unique opportunity allows riders not only to showcase their skills but also to make lifelong friendships and memories. Here’s your chance to get to know the team heading overseas:
The Riders
Ava Cottle
Club: Darwin Horse & Pony Club | Association: Pony Club Association Northern Territory
Ava has been in the saddle since the age of four, beginning her riding journey in the remote community of Kununurra, WA. With no local Pony Club, Ava competed in local shows and joined community trail rides before moving to Darwin, where she became an active Pony Club member. She has represented her club with confidence, often riding unfamiliar horses, and is also a keen polocrosse competitor, representing the NT multiple times. Ava values strong communication, empathy, and teamwork—qualities that will serve her well on the international stage.
Isabella Swain
Club: West Tamar Pony Club | Association: Pony Club Tasmania
Isabella’s passion for horses started at just four years old with her first pony. Since then, she’s built an impressive equestrian résumé—competing in Gymkhanas, dressage, showjumping, eventing, and games. She has trained her own OTTB, is breaking in a young gelding, and is working toward her Stable Hand Licence. Whether it’s riding with her dad, camping at the beach, or taking part in ANZAC Day services, Isabella brings enthusiasm, versatility, and a strong sense of community to everything she does.
Emily Oliver
Club: Lilydale & Mooroolbark Pony Club | Association: Pony Club Victoria
A proud member of the Lilydale & Mooroolbark Pony Club, Emily (15) is a seasoned games rider who thrives on speed and teamwork. She has ridden in Victoria’s state Prince Philip Games team for the past two years and helped secure the win in 2025. Her current games pony is Badger, but she’s also trained her own brumby, Nelly, and competes in eventing with Woody. When she’s not competing, you’ll find Emily trail riding or playing Aussie Rules football.
Kasey Butcher
Club: Braidwood Pony Club| Association: Pony Club New South Wales
Kasey has been riding at Braidwood Pony Club since the age of three and has developed a wealth of experience riding a variety of horses through both Pony Club and the Australian Mounted Games Association. She’s helped train young horses at a local ASH stud and has worked hard to build a partnership with her own horse, Storm. After four years in the squad and serving as reserve for the 2024 PPMG team, Kasey is excited to finally wear the green and gold.
Madelyn Harney
Club: Swan Valley Horse & Pony Club | Association: Pony Club Western Australia
Madelyn (16) began her Pony Club journey at just four years old and is a passionate competitor in mounted games, showjumping, and eventing. She’s represented her state at multiple Prince Philip Games National Championships and AMGA National Pairs events, achieving strong results. Madelyn is thrilled for this opportunity to represent Australia internationally and can’t wait to meet new people, have fun, and make memories in the UK.
Coach & Manager
Dan Foster – Coach
Dan has been a Pony Club WA member since 1986 and brings over 20 years of coaching experience across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA. He has coached multiple national and international teams—including the 2023 and 2024 IMGE teams, which both placed second. Now based in Victoria, Dan continues to grow the discipline of Mounted Games and serves as the Victorian State Coach. His wealth of knowledge and passion for coaching will be invaluable to the Australian team.
Niree Weybury – Team Manager
Niree has been part of the Pony Club family for over 35 years—as a rider, coach, manager, committee member, and parent. She continues to ride and support her sons in Prince Philip Games competitions. Professionally, Niree is a nurse in a busy radiology department in Melbourne. This marks her third IMGE experience, having previously managed the Australian teams in Sydney (2023) and Canada (2024).
Their Journey in the UK
The team will kick off their stay in North Yorkshire, enjoying activities like seaside visits, high ropes adventures, sightseeing in York, and a trip to Ripon Races. They’ll then head to Cheshire for more cultural experiences including trampoline parks, polo, and laser tag, before finally travelling to Warwickshire for the JCB Pony Club Championships—the pinnacle of the exchange.
This action-packed itinerary provides a mix of equestrian excitement, cultural immersion, and friendship-building that makes the IMGE a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Please join us in wishing the Australian team the best of luck as they represent us with pride and sportsmanship on the international stage!
