Proudly sponsored by Scootboot, Pony Club Australia’s major partner
The Soundness & Welfare Award recognises Pony Club members who consistently put horse welfare first—through daily management, informed decision-making, and a commitment to learning and sharing best practice. The winner will be announced on Saturday 4 October at the Ranvet 2025 Pony Club Australia National Championships Annual Awards & Presentation Dinner.
The Finalists
Brianna Ballesty (17) — Maryborough & District Pony Club, VIC
Why she’s a finalist
Brianna models thoughtful, evidence-based care across hoof health, training load, nutrition, and day-to-day management. She documents what works (and what doesn’t) in a welfare diary, reviews her approach regularly, and isn’t afraid to stop, reassess, and prioritise her horse—most notably when she withdrew from the 2025 State Championships to protect the comfort of her 19-year-old horse, Tuscan, following veterinary advice for hock arthritis.
Learning & qualifications
PCA C* Certificate (B underway post-Year 12), Cert III in Equine Studies, Preliminary Coaching Certificate (in progress).
Regularly engages with welfare education: PCA webinars (A Closer Look at the Impact of Riders on Horse Welfare; Boots & Bandages; What a Whip Is—and Isn’t), RSPCA Victoria welfare seminars, and industry sessions.
Hoof care & proactive management
Daily hoof picking (checks frog/toe, heat, early signs of thrush).
Scheduled farriery: Tuscan shod every 5–6 weeks with Haddon Forge; new horse Cricket barefoot/trimmed every 6 weeks with trims brought forward if growth accelerates.
Environment & diet: Paddock rotation to reduce mud pressure and track wear; attention to gut health and balanced micronutrients (e.g., biotin) to support hoof quality.
Case management: Managed Tuscan’s hoof abscess with disinfectant, sterile packing, dry footing (round yard), and collaborative farrier follow-up.
Warm-up, cool-down & recovery
Age-appropriate long, slow warm-ups (10–15 minutes), progressive work, extended cool-downs, post-work wash-off, and targeted lower-limb care after jumping.
Community contribution
Assists younger members with certificate work and everyday welfare habits (e.g., hoof cleaning), and provides calm, practical first aid support to fellow members when needed.
Elle Swadling (37) — The Vines PC, New South Wales
Why she’s a finalist
Elle takes a holistic, horse-centred approach informed by years of study, hands-on rehabilitation, and close collaboration with a trusted “care team” (trainer, farrier, vet, saddle fitter, bodyworker). She tailors management to each horse’s needs—adjusting shoeing cycles, diet, environment (flood-prone property), and workload to safeguard long-term soundness.
Experience & education
Seven years of continuous learning through clinics, conferences, farrier shadowing and skill-based training in hoof balance, angles, and rehabilitation.
Manages a multi-horse team across the spectrum: aged retirees, performance horses, and developing youngsters—each with an individual plan.
Hoof care & complex case management
Five-week farriery cycles, with some horses on four weeks seasonally.
Practical rehab experience with abscesses (incl. coronary band), seedy toe, thin soles, cracks, laminitis, and arthritic horses.
Preventative protocols in wet conditions (e.g., daily hoof hygiene, targeted topical care) and boots/shoes as appropriate.
Welfare-first decisions
Will scratch or spell a horse at the first sign of discomfort (e.g., loose shoe, saddle-fit concerns, growth spurts), and prioritises rest blocks for young horses to develop correctly.
Demonstrates compassionate decision-making in difficult scenarios (e.g., retiring or euthanising when in the horse’s best interests).
Community contribution
Shares practical welfare know-how at club level (hoof balance, feeding for soundness, coat and skin care), modelling patient, prevention-focused horsemanship.
Summer Lindgren (17) — Rosewood PC, Queensland
Why she’s a finalist
Summer blends strong Pony Club education with careful, day-to-day welfare practice, tailoring management to each horse and seeking professional guidance early. She is a clear communicator about hoof health and a role model for listening to the horse—including making the hard call to withdraw mid-event when something wasn’t right.
Learning & qualifications
C Certificate (working towards C*). EA Intro to Horse Management & Intro to Riding.
Ongoing learning through UQ veterinary talks, Pony Club camps, and clinics focused on hoof structure, lameness signs, tack fit, and training load.
Hoof care & rehabilitation
Three of four horses barefoot with 4–6 week trims; structured hoof hygiene, daily checks, and nutrition to support horn quality.
Managed chronic laminitis in a leased horse using Scoot Boots, strict hygiene, and controlled movement.
Works with vet and farrier on a medical shoeing plan (4-weekly) for Kingston (under-run heels, negative palmar angles), with pads and training modifications to relieve hind-end strain.
Welfare-first decisions
Withdrew from the 2024 PCQ State Championships showjumping phase when Kingston felt wrong; subsequent diagnostics confirmed hoof-angle issues.
Uses custom-fitted tack, therapy modalities (e.g., Equissage, Back on Track), careful warm-ups/cool-downs, rest days, and cross-training to support physical and mental wellbeing.
Community contribution
Mentors younger riders in hoof hygiene, early lameness signs, tack fit, and reading equine body language; advocates for barefoot management where suitable.
About the Award Sponsor
This category is proudly sponsored by Scootboot, Pony Club Australia’s major partner. Scootboot’s support helps us highlight and reward the everyday practices that keep ponies and horses sound, comfortable, and happy—on the ground and under saddle.
Celebrating Welfare Leadership
Congratulations to Brianna Ballesty, Elle Swaddling, and Summer Lindgren—three outstanding advocates for horse welfare and soundness. Their thoughtful management, willingness to learn, and courage to make welfare-first choices embody the very best of Pony Club.
We look forward to announcing the winner at the Annual Awards & Presentation Dinner during the Ranvet 2025 Pony Club Australia National Championships on Saturday 4 October
