2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Bec Kendt

2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Bec Kendt

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 18 – 25 Years Bec Kendt, Maryborough & District Horse and Pony Club (VIC) Rebecca โ€œBecโ€ Kendt is a senior rider at the Maryborough & District Horse and Pony Club (MDHPC), where she has shown remarkable dedication over...
2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Vanessa Davis

2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Vanessa Davis

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 18 – 25 Years Vanessa Davis, Gidgegannup Horse and Pony Club (WA) Vanessa Davis is a highly valued senior rider at Gidgegannup Horse and Pony Club (HPC), renowned for her dedication, leadership, and active involvement within the...
BETTER BITS FOR HAPPY PONIES

BETTER BITS FOR HAPPY PONIES

Why it’s time to rethink pony bitting for comfort and performance. By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equineย . Email Fiona: bitrightequine@gmail.com   Our amazing pony friends have for a very long time had very limited choices for bits. Iโ€™m sure youโ€™re all...
Models of Horse Welfare

Models of Horse Welfare

Understanding the Evolution from the Five Freedoms to the Five Domains When it comes to horse welfare, opinions can vary widely. What makes a horse truly content? While itโ€™s easy to fall into the trap of projecting our own needs onto animals, the truth is that their...
2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Isabel Ford

2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Isabel Ford

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 13 – 17 Years Isabel Ford, Toongabbie Pony Club (VIC) Isabel is an exemplary member of her pony club, contributing far beyond her role as a rider. Her active participation includes not only representing the club at events but...
2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Shelby Turl

2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Shelby Turl

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 13 – 17 Years Shelby Turl, Cambooya Pony Club Shelby Turl is an enthusiastic and dedicated member of Cambooya Pony Club, actively participating in rallies and club activities. Over the past year, Shelby has consistently placed in...
2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Chloe Anderson

2024 PCA Annual Award Nominee: Chloe Anderson

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 12 Years & Under Chloe Anderson, Gearys Gap PC (NSW) A true role model for her fellow club members, Chloe eagerly attends rally days and makes it a point to participate in Zone 16 camps every year. Sheโ€™s always up for a challenge,...
2024 PCA Annual Awards Nominee: Shea Egan

2024 PCA Annual Awards Nominee: Shea Egan

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 12 Years & Under Shea Egan, Dungog PC (NSW) Shea Egan is a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the Dungog Pony Club, known for his eagerness to represent his club at rallies, competitions, and various events across New South...
When Should a Riding Horse Be Retired?

When Should a Riding Horse Be Retired?

As our horses grow older, knowing when itโ€™s time to consider retirement is essential to their long-term well-being. While some horses can continue working into their 20s or even 30s, every horse is unique. Their health, activity level, and comfort should be the focus...
New A-Certificate Manual Now Available!

New A-Certificate Manual Now Available!

PCA is excited to announce the release of the highly anticipated A-Certificate manual, now available for purchase on JustGo. This release marks a special milestone as it coincides with the five-year anniversary of our updated Syllabus of Instruction! The A-Certificate...
Bitting the Off The Track Thoroughbred

Bitting the Off The Track Thoroughbred

By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine Bit Fitting Many Pony Club members choose an off the track thoroughbred as their first large horse. Theyโ€™re often a super choice. For a young person prepared to put in the work required theyโ€™ll repay you ten-fold. Of course, learning...
Spring Rugging: Why Less is More

Spring Rugging: Why Less is More

As spring approaches and the days start getting longer and warmer, itโ€™s time to think about how we care for our horses in this transitional season. One of the key areas to consider is ruggingโ€”particularly, the risk of over-rugging as the temperature rises....
Equinade Joins PCA Annual Awards as Sponsor

Equinade Joins PCA Annual Awards as Sponsor

We are thrilled to welcome Equinade on board as a sponsor of the PCA Annual Awards coming up in October! 100% Australian made and owned, Equinade has been creating premium quality horse and leather care products for over 45 years. Their sponsorship is for the...
Meet PCA’s Team for Canada’s IMGE

Meet PCA’s Team for Canada’s IMGE

This September, Pony Club Australia is excited to send a fantastic team to the International Mounted Games Exchange (IMGE) in Canada. Our team members, each bringing their own unique experiences and dedication, are eager to compete and represent Australia. Let’s...
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๐—›๐—ผ๐˜„ ๐— ๐˜‚๐—ฐ๐—ต ๐—ช๐—ฒ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜ ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—›๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฟ๐˜†?

At Pony Club, our horses participate in various activities, and it’s essential to consider their well-being. As responsible owners, we need to be mindful of how much work is suitable for our horses. Researchers have studied the ideal weight-carrying capacity of...
Natasha’s Leadership Certificate Journey

Natasha’s Leadership Certificate Journey

Meet Natasha Schilling, a 15-year-old from Mildura Alcheringa Pony Club in Victoria. Natasha has been a part of Pony Club since she was eight, and she recently achieved an exciting milestone by graduating from the Pony Club Australia Leadership Certificate Program....

Pony Club Safeguarding Challenge

Take on the challenge of embedding strong integrity and safeguarding practices at your club with these eight simple actions. Can your club complete them all by December 31, 2024? For any questions, contact PCA Integrity Manager Suanne Waugh at...
TBA Continues Support for PCA Annual Awards

TBA Continues Support for PCA Annual Awards

We are excited to announce that Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) will continue its generous sponsorship of the Pony Club Australia Annual Awards. TBA, the national peak body for the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry, provides free learning courses for...
Why Cleaning Your Bit Matters

Why Cleaning Your Bit Matters

By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine Bit Fitting One of the questions I ask groups at Pony Clubs when Iโ€™m there is if they clean their knife and fork after eating dinner each night. Itโ€™s a question that often produces some interesting answers, โ€˜my mum doesโ€™ is a...

Peyton Lee’s Inspiring Tetrathlon Journey

North Dorrigo Pony Club’s Peyton Lee has had an exciting tetrathlon journey, demonstrating that anyone who sets their mind to something can achieve it if they are prepared to put in the work. Over the Christmas period in 2020, Peyton saw a YouTube video of a...
Ranvet Continues PCA Awards Sponsorship

Ranvet Continues PCA Awards Sponsorship

We’re thrilled to announce that Ranvet is continuing its sponsorship of the PCA Annual Awards, coming up in October. This year, they are sponsoring the category “Best Achievement by a Rider aged 13-17 years.” Ranvet are experts in equine nutrition,...
Dominance Patterns in Horses

Dominance Patterns in Horses

Today, we’re discussing the fascinating topic of dominance patterns in horses. The social dynamics of horses are intricate and reveal unique dominance patterns among individuals. While the idea of a strict dominance hierarchy has been popular, recent insights...
Safely Navigating Unfamiliar Horses

Safely Navigating Unfamiliar Horses

Whether you’re buying a new horse or assisting a less experienced friend, riding unfamiliar horses can be a daunting task. At Pony Club Australia, we believe in prioritising safety and adopting a systematic approach to ensure a positive experience. Hereโ€™s a...
How Often Does My Horse Need Bit Fitting?

How Often Does My Horse Need Bit Fitting?

By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine Bit Fitting This is a question I ask groups often at pony clubs and the answer I usually receive is along the lines of every twelve months. Itโ€™s a fair answer as many people would think about it in a similar way to your dental...