Pony Club Australia is delighted to announce the finalists for the Young Coach of the Year, proudly sponsored by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.
This award recognises talented young coaches who are making an extraordinary impact on riders and clubs across Australia. They bring passion, skill, creativity, and leadership to their coaching, ensuring Pony Club riders not only improve in their riding but also grow in confidence, resilience, and enjoyment.
The winner will be announced at the Ranvet 2025 Pony Club Australia National Championships Annual Awards & Presentation Dinner on Saturday 4 October at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.
The Finalists
Madeleine Manton, 25 – Woodend Pony Club, VIC
Madeleine has been immersed in Pony Club since she was six years old and has been coaching since 2018, achieving her NCAS Preliminary accreditation at just 18. In 2024 she completed her NCAS Level 1 certificate, making her one of the youngest coaches in Victoria to do so.
At Gisborne Pony Club, where she has coached for over two years, Madeleine is responsible for certificate work for 25–30 junior riders — a role she has transformed into one of the club’s most anticipated sessions. By using hobby horses, chalked-out dressage arenas, in-hand activities, and even her own vaulting background, she has made theory sessions interactive, fun, and unforgettable. Riders now look forward to learning, and parents remark on the way their children’s confidence and enthusiasm have grown under her guidance.
Madeleine’s influence extends far beyond her rallies. She supervises trainee coaches, mentors young riders preparing for competitions, and advocates for coaches in her role as Vice President of Central Zone. She is also a Deputy Chief Instructor and a key member of the Zone Chief Instructors Panel. In 2024 she was named the Kay Irving Young Coach of the Year by Pony Club Victoria, and earlier this year she represented Australia as the youngest coach and manager ever selected for the China cultural exchange.
Riders adore Madeleine — running to her car at rallies to greet her, hugging her after lessons, and quoting her advice in their own words (“You can’t have reins like spaghetti!”). Parents describe her as patient, trustworthy, and inspiring, with one saying their child would have quit riding without her encouragement. Through every role, Madeleine carries on her late father’s legacy of service to Pony Club, proving herself a true ambassador for the values of unity, kindness, and lifelong learning.
Darcy Wade, 25 – Stratford Pony Club, VIC
With 18 years of Pony Club involvement behind him, Darcy has quickly become a sought-after coach and role model across East Gippsland and Victoria. Holding NCAS Preliminary and Level 1 coaching accreditations, he has also completed his EA Showjumping Course Design certificate, gear checker accreditation, and numerous courses through the Australian Sports Commission on coaching, officiating, and safeguarding children.
Darcy is known for his fun, contemporary, and highly adaptive teaching style. His lessons blend humour and technical knowledge, helping riders of all levels feel confident and capable. From creative on-foot activities that explain horse reactions to clear, simple breakdowns of complex showjumping lines, Darcy makes every session engaging and productive. Riders’ feedback is glowing — many credit his clear explanations for breakthroughs in their riding, while peers regularly seek out his advice.
His leadership roles are equally impressive. He has managed Zone Showjumping teams at State Championships, coached at State team selection days, and contributed to the Young Ambassador Program. He was awarded the Jan Dear Memorial Trophy by Pony Club Victoria for his outstanding contribution to Tetrathlon, having coached, built courses, and supported competitors at both state and national levels. He also co-captained the Victorian team at the 2023 PCA Nationals in WA.
Darcy’s lessons consistently inspire excitement and achievement, and his dedication to ongoing professional development reflects his determination to give back to the Pony Club community that shaped him. He is recognised not just as a talented coach but also as a mentor, course builder, and leader across multiple disciplines.
J’aime Mallon, 27 – Riddells Creek Pony Club, VIC
J’aime is a highly committed coach, assessor, and mentor who has been central to rider and coach development in Central Zone. Since aging out of Pony Club, she has been a constant coach at Riddells Creek as well as supporting other clubs in the area. She completed her NCAS Level 1 accreditation in 2024 and went on to broaden her experience overseas, spending six months in the UK as a working pupil with a 5* event rider. There she gained hands-on experience in the management, fitness, and training of elite event horses, even grooming at 5* Horse Trials and being trusted with full yard management responsibilities.
Back in Australia, J’aime has applied these insights to her coaching, incorporating advanced training methods into accessible, rider-friendly lessons. She has been a strong contributor to Central Zone’s workshops and assessor panels, mentoring riders through their C*, K and B Certificates, and providing constructive feedback at assessments. She has also presented at state-level workshops for potential coaches, sharing strategies for effective feedback and dealing with challenging coaching scenarios.
At club level, J’aime leads eventing clinics, twilight training sessions, and games team coaching, ensuring riders are prepared for competitions with structured and supportive guidance. Her role in managing a games team was pivotal in their successful qualification for State Championships, while her involvement in Team Vic Showjumping selections demonstrates her expertise at higher levels of competition.
J’aime is admired for her ability to build confidence, explain concepts clearly, and provide riders with the skills to succeed while having fun. Later this year, she will further her impact on the national stage as a coach for the 2025 Inter Pacific Exchange Team.
Anita Drew, 29 – Moondarga Pony Club, QLD
When Moondarga Pony Club restarted in 2022, Anita stepped in as its first and only coach — and has since built the club into a thriving hub of activity. Serving as Chief Instructor, president, event organiser, photographer, and social media manager, Anita has worn many hats while ensuring her riders receive quality coaching at 12–14 rallies each year. She has also run two highly successful Pony Club camps, designed to give riders of all ages and abilities an immersive, supportive experience.
Anita’s lessons are renowned for their creativity. She finds ways to turn flatwork into games, using horse balls and rope gates to introduce leg aids and lateral movements in fun, applied ways. She even devised a safe “jousting” activity using pool noodles to desensitise green horses to objects, delighting both riders and ponies. Her coaching adapts seamlessly to groups ranging from lead-line children to experienced adults, and she is skilled at making sure every rider feels included and challenged.
Her dedication is exceptional — after breaking her back in a riding accident, Anita returned to coaching just four weeks later to ensure rallies could continue for her members. She has completed Certificates II and III in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership, alongside numerous equestrian safety and first aid modules, and she brings 10 years of youth training experience from Scouts into her coaching. She also mentors young coaches in her zone, helping to grow the next generation of instructors.
Parents and riders consistently praise Anita for going above and beyond to provide opportunities for rural riders, whether through open rallies, zone support, or creative lesson design. Her commitment, resilience, and innovation have quickly established her as one of Queensland’s standout young coaches.
Looking Ahead
Congratulations to our four exceptional finalists — Madeleine, Darcy, J’aime, and Anita. Each of them represents the very best of young coaching in Pony Club: passion, creativity, leadership, and a deep commitment to helping riders achieve their goals.
We look forward to celebrating their achievements and announcing the winner at the Ranvet 2025 Pony Club Australia National Championships Annual Awards & Presentation Dinner on Saturday 4 October.
