Braidwood Pony Club

11/07/2025

Congratulations 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🐴🐎🐴

💚Announcing the 2025 Inter-Pacific Exchange Team!💛

The Inter-Pacific Exchange (IPE) is returning in 2025, bringing together top young riders from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of international friendship, cultural exchange, and elite horsemanship.

We are proud to announce the Australian team who will represent our country on home soil:

Riders:

Matilda Seppelt – Londonderry Pony Club, Pony Club NSW
Britney Cooper – Leven Pony Club, Pony Club Tasmania
Caitlin Pritchard – King River Pony Club, Pony Club WA
Lili Taylor – Riddells Creek Pony Club, Pony Club Victoria
Jade Binns (Reserve) – Lilydale Pony Club, Pony Club Tasmania

Coach: J’Aime Mallon, Pony Club Victoria
Team Manager: Janet Hamblin, Pony Club NSW

This year’s event will take place from 21 September – 5 October 2025 in Little River, Victoria, featuring a refreshed format that celebrates teamwork, emotional intelligence, and ethical horsemanship. Riders will be partnered with Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds for a two-week program culminating in the 6-Bar Challenge (1 Oct) and Nations Cup Tournament (3 Oct).

We can’t wait to cheer on Team Australia as they represent Pony Club on the world stage!

07/07/2025

Pony Club Australia is thrilled to welcome the Victorian Government as a Platinum Sponsor of the Ranvet 2025 Pony Club Australia National Championships, thanks to funding through the Significant Sporting Events Program.

Their generous support is helping us deliver an unforgettable event at the world-class Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre from 1–5 October 2025 — a true celebration of community, horsemanship, and youth sport.

This Platinum Sponsorship not only supports the staging of the Championships but contributes directly to:

✅ Driving economic activity and tourism in Victoria
✅ Supporting athlete development and national pathways
✅ Promoting grassroots participation and club engagement
✅ Showcasing Victoria as the sporting and events capital of Australia

We are incredibly grateful to the Victorian Government and Sport and Recreation Victoria for investing in the future of Pony Club — and the young riders, volunteers and communities that make it all possible.

Here’s to an event that reflects the very best of Pony Club, made possible with support from our Platinum Sponsor, the Victorian Government.

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Visit Melbourne Visit Victoria Change Our Game

📸 Rebecca De Vries Photography

05/07/2025

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𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐈𝐈 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 (ACM30821) 🐴
Gain a solid understanding of horse behaviour and body language that will help you safely care for and handle horses. Learn vital equine management skills that will further your studies or enhance your opportunities to work in the equine industry.
𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲: Combination delivery - online with workshops at Goulburn campus equine centre.
𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥: Anytime
𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤: https://www.tafensw.edu.au/course-areas/animal-care-and-horse-industry/courses/certificate-iii-in-horse-care--ACM30821-01/offerings/ACM30821-01V03-25GLB-006

RTO 90003

05/07/2025

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03/07/2025

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🚨 Applications NOW OPEN – Local Sport Grant Program 2025! 🚨

NSW Pony Club organisations – this is your chance to score funding for your club! 🏇

With up to $4.65 million available statewide, the Local Sport Grant Program supports increased participation, upgraded facilities, and inclusive opportunities for all people in NSW to enjoy sport throughout their lives.

✅ Grants from $2,000 to $20,000 available per club
✅ Up to $50,000 available per electorate
✅ Open to incorporated, not-for-profit sporting clubs and associations

This is a competitive grant round — so get your applications in early!

📅 Applications close: 1pm, Monday 18 August 2025
📅 Grants awarded: March 2026
📅 Projects must be completed by: September 202

👉 Click here for more info and to apply: https://comms.sport.nsw.gov.au/link/id/zzzz686243139811e661Pzzzz655a8e726e17e481/page.html

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02/07/2025

Welfare Wednesday — for us all 💚💛

This week, we're turning the spotlight on the welfare of our community — because how we behave online matters just as much as how we treat each other in person.

Social media is a powerful way to celebrate Pony Club, but with that comes responsibility. Whether you’re posting on behalf of your club or sharing a personal moment, the Member Protection Policy and Code of Conduct apply whenever there’s a Pony Club connection.

✅ Celebrate your club, team and horse
✅ Be respectful in comments and messages
✅ Get permission before posting photos of others
❌ No bullying, harassment or online pile-ons
❌ No airing grievances or starting arguments in public forums

Let’s work together to keep Pony Club’s online spaces positive, welcoming and safe for everyone.

We've put together an article outlining what’s expected, who it applies to, and what to do if there’s a concern. It’s well worth a read — link in the comments.

25/06/2025

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Can humans really act like herd leaders? And should we try to train horses the way they interact with each other?

Some popular training methods are based on the idea that horses need to “respect” their handlers — often using force, with the excuse that “horses bite and kick each other.”

But this week’s Welfare Wednesday explores what science actually tells us about horse behaviour, and why these dominance-based ideas don’t hold up.

Read the full article via the link in the comments.

23/06/2025

Hope you’re all getting keen to compete at State Championships.
Teams will be organised soon, if you’re keen and haven’t tried out yet let Grant know. 🐴🐎🐴

📣 SAVE THE DATE! 🐎
Get ready for the 2025 State Mounted Games & Team Sporting Championships 🎉

📍 Bicentennial Equestrian Park, Camden
📅 6–7 September 2025

We’re excited to release the proposed games schedule for the event! (Please note that this schedule is subject to final approval so may change).

📄 Click the link below to view the proposed games and qualifying times – and start practicing now! 📌 https://ponyclubnsw.org.au/about/2025-state-mounted-games-team-sporting-championships/

Let the countdown begin! Entries will open July so watch this space.🐴🔥

23/06/2025

Important for us all to practice our etiquette on horse and off. 🐴🐎🐴

🚨 Warm Up Arena Etiquette 🚨 Good etiquette is key to a safe and smooth warm-up for everyone in the arena! It’s essential to follow these rules to keep your horse, yourself, and others safe. Whether you’re competing or just practising, understanding arena etiquette makes all the difference.

Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

1. Check the Gateway: Always make sure the gateway is clear before entering.
2. Don’t Adjust Gear on the Outside Track: Stay focused and adjust your gear in a safe space off the track.
3. No Halting on the Outside Track: Avoid halting on the outer track to keep things flowing smoothly.
4. Right of Way for Faster Work: Fast work uses the outside track or wall; slow work uses the inside.
5. Lateral Work: Lateral work takes priority in the warm-up arena.
6. Pass Left Shoulder to Left Shoulder: This is the safe way to pass other riders.
7. Warm Up Jumps: Look out for flagged jumps to see which direction you can jump from.
8. Ask for Help if Unsure: Don’t hesitate to ask an official or experienced rider for advice.

⭐ Tip: Practising these etiquette rules with friends can help both you and your horse feel more comfortable in a busy arena.
Stay safe, ride well, and be courteous!

✅ This information is adapted from the Pony Club Australia's C* Certificate Manual.

21/06/2025

Grass Glands in Horses 🌾 by Dr John Kohnke

In horses or ponies grazing spring pastures in particular, a firm swelling can develop along the border of the lower jaw below the ears and into the throat latch area. This is commonly referred to as “grass glands” or “grass mumps”. In severe cases, the animal will have reduced flexion of the head and grazing becomes uncomfortable.

It results from an allergic reaction to moulds, high sugar spring grasses and other allergens, such as flowering clover plants and weeds in spring pastures, which increases pollen reactivity in sensitive horses and ponies.

These allergens can cause an inflammatory reaction in the parotid salivary glands on each side of the head below the ears, referred to as “parotiditis”, with a fluid build-up along the jawbone line or oedema, which often gravitates down to the throat latch area on the rear of the jaw bones.
In severe cases, the swelling can restrict the venous drainage of blood from the head, with veins on the sides of the face becoming enlarged and more visible.

The condition usually revolves within 24-48 hours once the affected horses or ponies are removed from the pasture.
We conducted a 4-year research field trial whilst developing and evaluating the benefits of Kohnke’s Own Tox-Target, a broad spectrum mycotoxin binder with 5 different binding agents plus other ingredients to increase the activity of the supplement in grazing horses. We had some horses on the trial (N=6) with seasonal symptoms of “grass glands”. Their owners all reported that these horses responded quickly to Tox-Target supplementation and swelling resolved within 3 – 5 days, on average, to make grazing more comfortable for affected horses. Tox-Target is easy to feed as a palatable and pelleted supplement which can be mixed in to feed, wet or dry, without dust, sift-out or sludging.

If the condition persists after removing horses from the pasture, or Tox-Target has no noticeable benefit as a supplement, it is recommended to consult your vet as other conditions, such as guttural pouch swelling, strangles or severe, blocked parotid salivary ducts, or swelling due to bruising to the jaw line, may be present.

21/06/2025

This weekend a number of our Braidwood Pony Club members will be riding at B**g B**g Racecourse not racing 🐎 but competing for selection in the Pony Club NSW State Mounted Games teams.
Kasey Butcher and Bella Ivanoff are trying out for the Junior team and Max Ivanoff and Milly Coe for the Senior team.
Riders from all over NSW are attending and vying for selection as NSW team representatives.
National Pony Club Championships will be held from the 1-5 October at Werribee Victoria.
We wish our Braidwood PC members all the best in their selections this weekend.
Love your enthusiasm and commitment 💖🐴🐎🐴

16/06/2025

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Step onto the international stage in the 2025 Pony Club International Virtual Dressage Competition — a chance for Pony Club Australia riders to represent their country alongside riders from the UK, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, the USA and Canada.

🇦🇺 Open to eligible PCA members in four classes:

▪️ Class 1: First Level
Eligibility: 18 years and under*
View the test: https://bit.ly/3FXQlbi

▪️ Class 2: Second Level
Eligibility: 25 years and under*
View the test: https://bit.ly/45rsTO8

▪️ Class 3: Third Level
Eligibility: 25 years and under*
View the test: https://bit.ly/442WMli

▪️ Class 4: Freestyle to Music
Eligibility: No age restriction. Fancy dress optional
View the test: https://bit.ly/3SRMKhO

*Age as of 1st January 2025

C Certificate preferred but not required.
Selection is based on performance history, referee checks and PCA/State Officer approval.

🗓️ Key Dates:
Nominations close: 31 July
Show website launches: 20 September
Video upload period: 20–30 September
Judging period: 1–14 October
Results announced: 19 October
Public queries period: 20–26 October
Final results confirmed: 27 October

Nominate now: https://bit.ly/446vsCN

📸 Image credit: Karen Lorensen