Pony Club Australia is proud to celebrate 16-year-old Kate Joyce, a member of Bunyip & District Pony Club in Victoria, who has just completed her first 3* event at the start of the season!
Kate’s story is one that many Pony Club riders will recognise — starting out at just eight years old on a few naughty ponies, learning patience, grit, and a sense of humour along the way. Coming from a family of riders on her dad’s side, all of whom were part of Pony Club, horses were always going to be in Kate’s life.
At a young age she developed a taste for eventing — mostly because her parents wouldn’t let her just jump! The best way to get Kate into dressage was to promise the thrill of cross country at the end. And once she had a taste of it, she was hooked.
After a string of challenging ponies, Kate’s aunty found a pony sitting in a paddock with a heart of gold — braver than brave. That pony, Trigger, gave Kate wings and cemented the eventing bug for life.
In 2022, at just 13, Kate was ready to step up to her first ‘real’ horse. After gaining confidence and experience on a lovely older showjumping mare, she met Cody (Wade Equine Oki Doki). The pair rocketed through the Pony Club grades — from Grade 3, to Grade 2, to Grade 1 — with Kate using her final Grade 1 start as an MER to move up to 2*. With express permission granted, the rest is history.
Since then, Kate and Cody have ridden at two Melbourne International 3 Day Events in the 2* long, competed at Sydney 3DE, and this year were in the ribbons at Melbourne. She was one of the youngest 2* riders in the country — and now, with her first 3* under her belt at Friends Of Werribee Park Horse Trials, Kate has reached another milestone.
The weekend didn’t go entirely to plan — nerves and illness made it even tougher — but she and Cody showed grit and determination to finish, with some brilliant moments and plenty learned for the future.
What makes Kate such an inspiration to her fellow Pony Club members is how she continues to give back. She often brings her young horses, OTTs, and occasionally “the big fella” back to Bunyip Pony Club rallies, sharing her journey with younger members. At this year’s MI3DE, the whole club was there cheering her on, proud to see one of their own riding alongside Australia’s best.
Kate has also represented her Zone for the past four years in dressage and showjumping at Pony Club Victoria State Championships, showing her versatility and commitment to the sport.
Her next goal? To take on Adelaide International 3 Day Event at just 16 years old. It’s a challenge that takes dedication, bravery, and love for the sport — qualities Kate has been building since her first rallies on those cheeky ponies.
Congratulations, Kate — you are braver than brave, and an inspiration to Pony Club riders everywhere.
Photo credit: Lisa Grund Photography
