Four coaches from across Australia have been named finalists for the 2026 Miss Kay Irving Coach of the Year Award, proudly sponsored by Equitation Science International.
The award recognises coaches making a significant contribution to Pony Club through contemporary coaching, continued professional development and their work with riders at club, zone, state and national level.
This year’s finalists bring very different strengths to their coaching, from developing club programs and mentoring new coaches to specialist knowledge in horse welfare and hoof care, supporting riders through proficiency certificates, and representing Pony Club Australia on the international stage. What they share is a commitment to helping riders learn, progress and develop into capable horse people.
Darcy Wade
Stratford Pony Club, Victoria
Darcy Wade has emerged as an accomplished and thoughtful coach whose work now extends from Victorian Pony Club to international competition.
A major focus of his nomination was his role as Australian Team Coach for the 2026 Pony Club International Alliance International Tetrathlon Exchange, where he supported Australian riders across three weeks of competition and activities involving teams from around the world.
Tetrathlon demands knowledge across riding, running, swimming and shooting, and Darcy was able to provide support across all four phases. His nomination particularly highlighted his work during the riding component, where competitors were partnered with allocated horses and faced technically demanding courses incorporating up to 18 efforts, as well as obstacles such as a gate and slip rail.
Darcy worked closely with riders to match horses appropriately, walk courses and develop clear plans suited to both horse and rider. His coaching was described as concise and practical, giving athletes enough information to ride accurately while still encouraging them to think and make decisions for themselves.
By the final weekend, riders had achieved personal best performances across the non-riding phases as well.
Throughout the exchange, Darcy worked collaboratively with coaches and officials from five other countries. He was willing to ask questions, challenge decisions when appropriate and consider the individual needs of each rider, while maintaining a calm and professional presence in a high-pressure environment.
His coaching approach places strong emphasis on rider independence, problem solving, confidence and horse welfare. Rather than simply giving instructions, he encourages riders to understand why they are making a particular decision and to take increasing responsibility for their own performance.
Darcy also continues to invest in his own development, using opportunities such as the International Exchange to learn from other coaches and broaden his understanding of athlete management and international competition.
His nominators particularly noted the respect he develops with riders and his ability to combine clear expectations with an environment where young people can still enjoy themselves, ask questions and learn from the experience.
Jo Jones
Derwent Pony Club, Tasmania
Jo Jones has been a driving force behind coaching at Derwent Pony Club for close to a decade and now contributes extensively to coach education across Pony Club Tasmania.
As Derwent’s Chief Coach, Jo works with the club’s coaching team to develop rally programs that combine learning with variety and enjoyment. In recent years, the program has expanded to introduce members to a broader range of disciplines and activities.
She puts particular thought into making theory practical and memorable. Lessons have included quizzes and games, hands-on weed identification, practising injections using oranges and demonstrations using props to explain how gastric ulcers develop.
Jo also runs online sessions to help riders prepare for proficiency testing, giving members an opportunity to work through the syllabus and ask questions in a smaller group environment.
Her contribution extends well beyond her own club.
Jo chairs the Pony Club Tasmania State Chief Coaches Panel, where she has taken responsibility for coach education and acts as a key contact for coaches beginning their accreditation pathway. She is also Tasmania’s representative on the Pony Club Australia Coaching Advisory Committee.
Through these roles, Jo has helped deliver the Annual Coaches Update, trainee coach theory sessions and presentations covering horse welfare, syllabus changes and appropriate coach accreditation.
She has also initiated practical professional development opportunities for coaches. These have included a showjumping coaching workshop with Ben Netterfield, a lunging and gear checking workshop and a session focused specifically on making rallies more engaging.
Jo is known for supporting trainee coaches by sharing lesson plans, rally ideas and practical advice as they progress through their qualifications.
Alongside coach education, she remains actively involved with riders. Jo has coached Derwent teams at Zone Games, State Trials and State Dressage and Showjumping Championships over many years, including coaching several musical ride teams made up of younger members.
She is also a regular assessor for C, C* and K proficiency certificates and contributes to camps and clinics designed to help riders prepare for testing.
Her nomination reflects a coach whose influence now reaches from individual rally lessons through to the development of Tasmania’s wider coaching community.
Charlie Black
Wallangarra Riding & Pony Club, Western Australia
Charlie Black has contributed to Pony Club through practical sessions focused on hoof care and farriery.
During the past year, he has delivered farrier demonstrations and theory sessions at local Pony Clubs, giving members an opportunity to learn more about hoof anatomy and the role of regular hoof care in horse management.
His sessions have included hands-on elements designed to encourage riders to engage with the subject and ask questions.
Charlie has also supported Pony Club activities and events, including volunteering as the farrier on course at Wallangarra Tetrathlon, as well as contributing to rallies, clinics and Tetrathlon activities.
Rebecca Ham
Tooradin Dalmore Pony Club, Victoria
Rebecca “Bec” Ham is recognised for her ability to make riders feel included, capable and willing to challenge themselves.
At Tooradin Dalmore Pony Club, Bec coaches across a wide range of areas, including flatwork, jumping and theory, and is able to adapt a single session to riders of different levels and abilities.
Her nomination particularly highlights the way she creates an environment where riders are comfortable having a go without being afraid of getting something wrong. Riders who begin a lesson uncertain about a particular exercise will often finish it having achieved more than they expected.
That inclusive approach extends to riders who are temporarily unable to participate mounted. Rather than leaving them on the sidelines, Bec finds ways to keep them involved in the lesson and learning alongside the rest of the group.
Bec is also a strong mentor to developing coaches and regularly shares her knowledge with those progressing through their own coaching journey.
Her own commitment to professional development is extensive. She continues to participate in coaching workshops, Pony Club education and wider equestrian professional development and remains involved with programs and committees at club, zone and national level.
One area in which she has made a particularly strong contribution this year has been helping riders prepare for their C Certificate.
Bec has run additional training sessions in her own time, with an emphasis on helping riders genuinely understand the material rather than simply learning enough to pass an assessment. Her passion for Equitation Science has helped her make theory relevant and engaging, connecting the concepts riders learn through the syllabus with the way they train and manage horses in practice.
She has also supported broader Pony Club initiatives, including encouraging young members to participate in leadership opportunities and contributing to international programs.
Bec’s nomination describes a coach with considerable technical knowledge, but also one who knows how to translate that knowledge into lessons riders can understand, enjoy and carry with them beyond the rally.
The 2026 Miss Kay Irving Coach of the Year Award is proudly sponsored by Equitation Science International.
The winner will be announced during the 2026 Pony Club Australia Annual Awards Virtual Presentation on Thursday, 22 October.
