Photo: Adeline and her horse, Luna, with West Gippsland Zone Chief Instructor Paul Seuren and assessor Sally Francis.
When Adeline Collins joined Corner Inlet Pony Club in March 2003 on her 17-year-old pony Louie, she could not have imagined the milestone that lay ahead.
Now, after 23 consecutive years as a riding member, Adeline has achieved the A Certificate, the highest level of proficiency within Pony Club Australia. It is a significant moment for her club as well — the last Corner Inlet Pony Club member to reach this level was Peter Taylor, 50 years ago.
A secondary school teacher during the week, Adeline spends much of her time outside the classroom riding, competing her Off-The-Track Thoroughbreds and coaching at Pony Clubs. Over more than two decades, she has contributed across every part of Pony Club life, from perfect rally attendance to committee work, event organisation, judging, mentoring and coaching.
Her riding career has included extensive representation at State level across mounted games, eventing, Speed to Safety, flat teams and musical ride. She represented Victoria at the Pony Club Australia National Championships in 2015 with RPC The Third Wise Man, helping secure the National Senior Eventing Team Championship in South Australia, and later represented Australia in the PCA Interpacific Exchange to the United States in 2017.
Her broader contributions have also been recognised through numerous honours, including WGZ Young Eventing Ambassador (2014–2016), long-term youth mentoring, PCA NCAS Preliminary and Level 1 Coaching qualifications, Pony Club Victoria Award of Merit (2017), PCA Senior Rider of the Year (2019) and PCA Young Coach of the Year (2024).
A goal pursued with persistence
Adeline had been working towards her A Certificate for many years. Earlier attempts were delayed by horse injuries and soundness challenges, including plans to complete the qualification by her 25th birthday. She remained a Pony Club Victoria adult riding member and continued working steadily toward the required standard.
On 10 January 2026, at Tooradin Estate, she successfully completed the assessment — the culmination of five years of focused preparation.
“This is a very exciting but bittersweet ending to my Pony Club journey,” Adeline said.
“I’ve learned so much about horse care and riding, but also developed resilience and a better understanding of myself.There have been setbacks aplenty with the horses, but also moments where I realised I simply wasn’t achieving the standard. Those reflective moments have only made me better.”
The horses who supported the journey
Three horses played important roles in helping Adeline reach the final standard.
Venus, a Clydesdale/Thoroughbred cross, supported the development of her lunging and long-reining work, showing great patience while she refined feel and communication.
Darling La Muso, a retired 4* Thoroughbred eventer, came out of retirement to demonstrate his brilliance on the flat and provide some enthusiastic reminders to simply get on and ride — flying changes included.
Luna, Adeline’s own OTT Thoroughbred mare, partnered her through the final years of preparation, rebuilding confidence over fences and providing steady support throughout.
Adeline also acknowledged Laurel Truscott and Molly Barry for trusting her with their horses.
A strong support network
Adeline emphasised the many people who supported her along the way.
She thanked assessors Sally Francis, Rachael Edwards and Kathy Kindler for their guidance and feedback throughout the process, noting that the approach was never “no”, but “not yet — and here’s how to improve”.
She also acknowledged Paul Seuren and Bec Ham for organising certificate days, often under significant logistical challenges. Claire and Ava Wilson were thanked for providing Wynnie as her unfamiliar mount.
Coaching support came from many people across the years, with particular thanks to Bianca Dolly Joyce for flatwork guidance and Emily Hill for final showjumping preparation.
A special mention went to Beverley Shandley for consistent mentoring, advice and encouragement throughout the journey.
Adeline also recognised the support of her family, especially her mother Deb Collins, whose involvement in Pony Club helped shape her lifelong connection to the movement. Her partner Nate was thanked for embracing the realities of horse life — feeding, rugging and helping wherever needed, along with providing Luna with generous supplies of treats.
Recognition from West Gippsland Zone
WGZ Chief Instructor Paul Seuren congratulated Adeline on behalf of the Zone.
“Well done Adeline. West Gippsland Zone is proud of you and we wish you all the best for your future within Pony Club and the broader equestrian world.”
He also acknowledged the assessors involved in her journey and thanked Cranbourne Pony Club and Sally Francis at Tooradin Estate for providing facilities to support senior rider development.
Inspiring others to aim high
Reflecting on her achievement, Adeline encouraged other riders to pursue higher certificates.
“Certificates are an incredible opportunity to learn so much about equine management and to improve yourself as a rider. I would love to see the next ten years filled with more WGZ riders working toward their higher level certificates.”
After 23 years of sustained commitment, Adeline Collins’ A Certificate stands as a remarkable personal milestone and a proud moment for her club, her zone and the wider Pony Club community.
Congratulations, Adeline!
