Pony Club is about learning, building confidence, developing horsemanship and, most importantly, enjoying time with horses.
For young riders, their experience is shaped not only by what happens in the arena, but also by what they hear and see from the sidelines.
Parents, carers, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators all have a role in creating a positive environment. Sport Integrity Australia’s Safe Sport Together guidance reinforces this shared responsibility, encouraging sporting communities to actively promote positive behaviour, set clear expectations and address inappropriate behaviour early and consistently.
Cheer, don’t criticise
Young riders are learning. Mistakes, refusals, missed distances and disappointing results are all part of developing skills and experience.
A simple “Great effort!”, “Keep going!” or “I’m proud of you” can mean far more than a running commentary on what went wrong.
Positive feedback also helps reinforce the behaviours we want to see in sport. Sport Integrity Australia recommends recognising and praising behaviours such as listening, participating, encouraging others and showing respect.
Let coaches coach
It can be tempting to call instructions from the sidelines, but multiple voices can confuse riders and add pressure.
Let coaches coach and let riders ride.
Give young people the opportunity to make decisions, learn from their experiences and build confidence in themselves and their horse.
A positive sporting environment does not mean young people never make mistakes. It means they are given clear expectations, appropriate support and opportunities to learn from their experiences.
Respect officials and volunteers
Officials and volunteers help make Pony Club activities safe, fair and enjoyable.
If you disagree with a decision, raise your concern respectfully through the appropriate process. Shouting at or criticising officials, volunteers, coaches, other parents or participants does not improve the experience for anyone.
Sport Integrity Australia recommends that sporting organisations are clear about the behaviours they encourage, the behaviours that are not acceptable and how concerns can be raised and addressed.
That applies to adults as well as young people. Positive behaviour is most effective when the expectations are consistent across the whole sporting community.
Celebrate more than results
A ribbon is only one measure of success.
Celebrate trying something new, improving a skill, showing good horsemanship, supporting teammates, caring for a horse, demonstrating resilience or simply having a go.
Children and young people notice what the adults around them value. When effort, kindness, good horsemanship and respectful behaviour are recognised alongside results, those qualities become part of the culture of the club.
Be the behaviour you want to see
Before speaking from the sidelines, ask yourself:
Is it helpful? Is it respectful? Is it encouraging?
Young people learn by watching us. The way adults respond to winning, losing, mistakes, decisions and disagreements helps shape their understanding of what good sportsmanship looks like.
Sport Integrity Australia’s guidance encourages parents and carers to consider how they model positive behaviour at sport, while coaches, officials and administrators are encouraged to reinforce positive behaviour and address concerns calmly and promptly.
So from the sidelines:
- Cheer loudly and positively.
- Support all riders.
- Respect officials, volunteers and coaches.
- Let coaches coach.
- Let riders ride.
- Celebrate effort, improvement and good horsemanship.
- Raise concerns calmly and through the appropriate channels.
Creating a positive club culture
Positive behaviour is not just something to think about when there is a problem.
Sport Integrity Australia recommends creating environments where positive behaviour is the norm, expectations are communicated regularly and inappropriate behaviour is addressed early rather than allowed to become part of the culture.
For Pony Clubs, that might mean regularly reminding members and families about expected behaviour, making Codes of Conduct easy to find, recognising examples of good sportsmanship and ensuring people know who they can speak to if they have a concern.
Clubs can also use the Safe Sport Together conversation starters with parents, young people, coaches, officials and administrators to encourage discussion about respect, inclusion and what helps people feel safe and supported in sport.
Safe Sport Together
Sport Integrity Australia’s Safe Sport Together resources provide practical guidance to help sporting organisations promote positive behaviour and respond appropriately when behaviour becomes inappropriate or harmful.
The resources include advice for children and young people, parents and carers, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers, as well as a downloadable Safe Sport Together flyer.
Positive Pony Club from the sidelines starts with all of us.
