What is Pony Club Australia?

Updated

Pony Club Australia® is the national governing body for pony clubs in Australia and a youth equestrian organisation built around riding, horse care and personal development. It is for young people who want to ride and learn about horses, and also for the adults around them — parents, coaches, officials, volunteers and sponsors — plus accredited riding centres. If you are looking for a club where riding is the starting point rather than the whole story, this is the organisation to look at.

What Pony Club Australia actually is

The site describes Pony Club Australia® as the national governing body for pony clubs, offering a fun and inclusive environment where "riding is just the beginning." It positions itself as a youth equestrian organisation rather than a commercial riding school chain.

It is also part of a wider structure: Pony Club Australia® is a member of The Pony Club, described as an international voluntary organisation for young people and the largest association of young riders in the world.

What members learn

Riding is one part of the programme. According to the site, members develop skills in:

  • Horse management
  • First aid
  • Tack
  • Road safety
  • Hoof care
  • Groundwork

Alongside these practical skills, the organisation says it focuses on life skills such as resilience, confidence, problem-solving, communication, responsibility, teamwork, leadership, discipline and loyalty. The stated aim is for members to grow into well-rounded individuals through a supportive club environment.

Who it is for

The site lists the groups it serves directly: members, parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, sponsors and accredited riding centres. It also states that whether you are just starting out or have years of experience, Pony Club is a place to learn, grow and connect.

That makes it relevant in two directions:

If you are… What the organisation offers
A young person interested in horses Riding plus horse management, first aid, tack, road safety, hoof care and groundwork
A parent A club environment focused on skills and values beyond riding
A coach, official or volunteer A national structure with roles beyond riding itself
A sponsor Association with a national youth equestrian body
An accredited riding centre A connection point within the national network

Values and integrity

Pony Club Australia® states its values as community, integrity, horse welfare, innovation, kindness and accessibility, and says these sit at the heart of what it does. It also says it follows Sport Integrity Australia's National Integrity Framework, with integrity policies available and a route to report an integrity issue.

How to get involved

The homepage provides two main entry points: Find a Pony Club and Find an Accredited Riding Centre. There is also a membership pathway ("Become A Member"), an activities section, and a Resource Hub for members, parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, sponsors and accredited riding centres.

If you are starting from scratch, the practical first step is to use the club finder to locate your nearest club, then check the membership route and what activities are available locally.