After nearly folding in the wake of the equine influenza crisis, Emmaville Pony Club in Zone 13, northern NSW, has made an impressive comeback. Its secret? Listening to members, trying new things and making sure there’s something for everyone.
In 2007 and 2008, the equine influenza crisis brought horse activities across Australia to a standstill. For Emmaville Pony Club, the impact was so significant that the club came close to closing altogether.
Today, it’s a very different story.
Emmaville Pony Club has grown from 42 junior riding members in 2022 to 74 in 2026, an increase of 76 per cent in just four years.
It’s an impressive achievement for a regional club, particularly at a time when attracting and retaining members remains a challenge for many sporting organisations.
But what’s behind that growth?
According to the club’s nomination for the 2026 Pony Club Australia Annual Awards, much of its success comes down to a committee that’s willing to listen, adapt and keep finding new ways to make Pony Club enjoyable.
Giving teenagers a reason to stay
One of the club’s most successful initiatives is its ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ approach to its annual camp.
Rather than following a fixed program, high school-aged riders can choose from a range of disciplines for several lessons each day, tailoring their camp experience to their own interests.
Smaller groups also mean more individual attention from specialist instructors.
The initiative has received outstanding feedback and, importantly, has helped the club retain older riders who might otherwise have decided they’d outgrown Pony Club.
It’s a relatively simple idea, but one with an important message: as young people grow and their interests change, Pony Club can grow with them.
And there’s certainly no shortage of things to try.
Emmaville riders have opportunities to experience everything from dressage, showjumping and mounted games to campdrafting, working equitation, polocrosse, whip cracking, calf roping, mustering and even pack horse preparation.
The club draws on a network of experienced instructors, including professional trainers and state and national champions, to give riders access to activities they might not otherwise have the chance to experience.
Making Pony Club work for families
The committee also understands that keeping families involved means making participation practical and affordable.
Emmaville Pony Club charges no additional club membership fee, with families paying only the applicable zone, state and national fees.
Members regularly lend horses and equipment to one another, while second-hand clothing and riding gear are shared or traded within the club.
The annual camp is a real family affair, with everyone contributing to meals, chores and the running of activities.
And there’s plenty happening out of the saddle, too.
Discos, quiz nights, craft activities, laser pistol competitions and ‘paint your pony’ activities all help make camp enjoyable for riders and their families.
The committee has also adjusted the timing of its camps in response to member feedback, moving the five-day annual camp to the October school holidays and scheduling a shorter mini camp in January to better suit families and local conditions.
It’s another example of the club recognising that sometimes small changes can make a big difference.
Building a club for the future
While Emmaville’s membership growth is impressive, the age of its riders is particularly encouraging.
Around 70 per cent of the club’s riders are under 13, providing a strong foundation for the years ahead.
The club is also investing in its future by developing its own instructors. Six members gained their qualifications over the two years leading up to the nomination, helping ensure the club has the coaching capacity to support its growing membership.
Behind the scenes, an active committee has worked to improve facilities, secure grants and donations, and introduce systems that make volunteering easier.
Online meetings allow committee members to participate without lengthy travel, while digital entry systems and volunteer rosters help reduce the administrative workload.
Recent improvements have included new toilet and shower facilities, along with additional equipment for a range of riding disciplines.
And while Emmaville riders regularly achieve success at Zone and State competitions, the club is equally committed to members who simply want to enjoy their horses, learn new skills and spend time with friends.
More than membership numbers
Perhaps the best measure of Emmaville Pony Club’s success isn’t its membership growth, impressive as that is.
It’s the fact that families keep coming back, teenagers are finding reasons to stay involved, and younger riders are joining a club with an exciting future ahead of it.
From a club that once faced an uncertain future, Emmaville has become a wonderful example of what’s possible when volunteers listen to their members and are prepared to try something new.
And with 74 junior riding members and a busy calendar of activities, there’s plenty to look forward to.
Emmaville Pony Club’s story came to Pony Club Australia’s attention through its nomination for the 2026 PCA Annual Awards. Thank you to the club’s volunteers and members for showing how much can be achieved through hard work, fresh ideas and a strong sense of community.
