Report from Teach Coach, Carol Hobson
The Pony Club Australia team embarked on a rewarding and action-packed trip to China, departing Australia on September 27 and returning on October 14. This was a longer exchange than most, but it offered invaluable experiences for both riders and coaches.
Saga, Shuzhou
Our first stop was Saga in Shuzhou, a bustling competition venue with over 500 entries. The event spanned long days but was made enjoyable by the warm weather. The team competed in both showjumping and dressage. One of the highlights was the opportunity to connect with Chinese riders, as well as teams from Ireland, South Africa, and New Zealand.
During our stay, we had the unique chance to visit an international school, where we demonstrated showjumping and mounted games. The fantastic hot springs swimming facility next to the riding centre provided a welcome relaxation after long days of competition.
It was an absolute pleasure to have Pony Club Australia CEO Matt Helmers and Board Chair Heather Disher present at Saga. They attended the event and presented awards to class winners, further promoting the PCA/China Pony Club alliance.
Xi’an – A Step Back in Time
After a short flight, we arrived in Xi’an, further north than Suzhou and home to the famous Terracotta Warriors. Having made several trips to China for PCA/VPC over the years, I can confidently say that this venue is the best I have visited in China.
The riders were fortunate to have access to imported European horses, courtesy of the owner Mr. Chen. These horses, some of which had only arrived in China a few months ago, were a real treat for our riders. With fewer entries than at Saga, this event felt more like an Australian competition, with shorter days and excellent facilities for the horses.
At this venue, our riders competed in two showjumping events: 80cm and 1m. The experience also included a visit to an international primary school and time spent at various cultural sites.
A Rich Learning Experience
This exchange provided our riders with an invaluable opportunity to see how Pony Club works in a completely different country. I hope that all the riders took away a deeper understanding of how varied the experience of Pony Club can be across the world, and how lucky we are in Australia to have the opportunities we do.
Team Members:
- Alena Duncan – Manilla Pony Club, NSW
- Charlie Ward – Guyra Pony Club, NSW
- Kassi Jones – Fern Park Pony Club, TAS
- Robin Henry – Quirindi Pony Club, NSW
- Team Manager: Tania Haling
- Coach: Carol Hobson