Sport
4 October, 2024
Club of the Year honours for pony club
The Maryborough and District Horse and Pony Club (MDHPC) have been frolicking for joy recently after being awarded Pony Club Victoria 2023 Club of the Year.
The club was awarded for its ability to retain and keep members, its strong and innovative club management as well as its accredited coaching team.
“We were very surprised and honoured that we received this award because it could have been all of the other clubs who were very worthy,” MDHPC district commissioner Linda Gerring said.
“We came and met together as a club and had a pizza night, [the presentation] was all online so we had the TV set up and everybody was cheering.
“There were a lot of celebrations, the kids were jumping up and down and were really excited when our name got called out.”
The club currently has over 70 riding members from as young as four to as experienced as 77 participating in club rallies and competitions as well as 40 club supporters.
Of these members, 22 percent receive support from the NDIS for their disability or medical condition to participate at MDHPC.
According to Gerring, the supportive and welcoming culture MDHPC fosters, makes it stand out.
“The focus in the club is not about being competitive, it’s riding your horse, having fun and being there with your friends,” she said.
“The inclusiveness of all riders and all abilities and the fact that we have such a big age group with our members is something I’m proud of.
“When you’re riding horses you have ups and downs — recently one of our riders was in a competition where things weren’t going well, so they retired and volunteered for the rest of the day.
“To me, that’s more important than going out and winning ribbons.”
Along with their Club of the Year honours, pony club members Bec Kendt and Lisa Streeter were awarded Best Achievement by a Rider in the 18-25 years and over 25 years category respectively.
Gerring said the pair’s ability to take on additional roles around the club including coaching, mentoring and gear checking make them worthy recipients.
“The best thing from both of them is they are not riding at the top levels but are still giving back to their clubs so it was great for them to be acknowledged,” she said.
“Bec is a great role model because the kids can see that she has her good days and bad days but she’s also giving back to the club.
“Lisa travels 120 kilometres round trip to pony club, when she came here she had never done pony club before, she always wanted to do pony club as a kid but was never able to.
“She is always at our working bees, always helping, she doesn’t just volunteer at our club but also at Rokewood Pony Club — we know when we need help, Lisa will be the first to put her hand up.”
According to Kendt, who has been a member since she was 11, she was stunned to hear that she was being recognised for her dedication.
“I was shocked honestly, I wasn’t really expecting it,” she said.
“It matters a lot because a lot of awards are designed for high achievement in the sense of winning awards for riding while this was more for community.
“Everyone is so supportive even when things don’t always go well and everyone values each other.
“It’s a really good club where I can spend a lot of time with my friends — they are kind of like family.”
The MDHPC, Kendt and Streeter are hoping to pick up additional silverware at the Pony Club Australia annual awards this October.
Finalists are being announced in the lead-up to the event, with Kendt already revealed as a candidate for the Best Achievement by a Rider in the 18-25 years category.