More than 400 attendees from across Australia’s equestrian community came together at Melbourne Showgrounds on 25 and 26 July for the inaugural CANTER CON, presented by Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers.
Created in partnership by Pony Club Australia, Equestrian Australia and Riding for the Disabled Australia, CANTER CON is a national coaching conference designed to bring people together across organisations, disciplines and levels of experience.
Its name captures that purpose: Coaching Advancement through Networking, Training, Education and Relationships.
Pony Club Australia Participation & Development Manager Sally Wiseman said the conference created a rare opportunity for coaches from different parts of the equestrian sector to learn alongside one another.
“What stood out was how willing people were to share ideas,” Sally said.
“Although our organisations work in different settings, coaches face many of the same questions. How do we help riders learn? How do we support horse welfare? How do we create an environment where people feel confident, included and want to keep participating?
“Bringing everyone together gave coaches the chance to hear different perspectives, compare experiences and take fresh ideas back to their own riders, clubs and centres.”
Two days packed with practical learning
Pony Club Australia Patron Dr Andrew McLean opened the conference with a keynote address exploring the pathway to a more sustainable future for equestrian sport through evidence-based coaching and a strong focus on horse welfare.
Across the two days, more than 20 presenters and industry specialists covered topics ranging from mindset and performance to bit and bridle fitting, equine nutrition, volunteer recruitment and building successful group lessons.
An Olympian panel also reflected on the journey from Pony Club and grassroots participation to high-performance competition, offering insight into the coaches, experiences and foundations that helped shape their careers.
“The program covered a lot of ground, but it remained very practical,” Sally said.
“Coaches were hearing ideas they could take home and use in their next lesson or rally, whether that was a different way to explain something, a new approach to structuring a group session or a better understanding of how equipment, learning and welfare all fit together.”
Day two moved into the arena, with Manuela McLean demonstrating how Equitation Science principles can be applied to common training challenges.
Delegates also filled the stands for masterclasses with Grand Prix dressage rider and coach Gary Lung and internationally recognised coach and British Horse Society Fellow Sam York. Carriage driving demonstrations added another discipline and perspective to a varied practical program.
New technology for coaches
The conference also introduced delegates to Equestic’s EQ Coach-Copilot, a digital tool designed to help coaches record lessons, capture key feedback and support riders between sessions.
The technology was demonstrated during Gary Lung’s masterclass, giving coaches an opportunity to see how it could be used in a real lesson environment.
Pony Club coaches and riders can download the EQ Coach-Copilot app here.
A strong start for a national coaching community
Feedback from delegates was overwhelmingly positive, particularly around the quality of presenters, practical content and opportunity to connect with coaches from across Australia.
“The fact that more than 400 people attended an inaugural event tells us there is a real appetite for this kind of learning,” Sally said.
“Coaches want useful ideas and professional development, but they also value the chance to talk with other people who understand the role and its challenges. CANTER CON gave them both.
“Coaches have an enormous influence on riders, horses and the culture of our clubs. When we invest in their knowledge and confidence, that flows through to the whole Pony Club experience.”
The success of the first CANTER CON has created a strong foundation for future collaboration between Australia’s major equestrian organisations and plenty of enthusiasm for the next conference.
