PCV Ride to Time Program

Australian Paralympic equestrian Emma Booth has reunited with the surgeon who saved her life 12 years ago for further life‑changing surgery. 💙🐎

After a devastating car accident in 2013 injured her spinal cord and caused paraplegia, Emma went on to compete at the highest levels of para‑dressage, representing Australia at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games.

But recently, Emma began experiencing severe lower back pain and persistent nerve pain in her leg that was impacting her physical and mental wellbeing.

“I began to think, this is how my life will be from now on. I felt resigned to living in constant discomfort and pain.”

After consulting with various specialists, Emma reconnected with her original spinal surgeon, John Cunningham OAM, and underwent further spinal surgery at Epworth Richmond.

“John Cunningham not only saved my life years ago, enabling me to live fully and achieve success as a world‑class competitor, but he has now greatly improved my quality of life for the future.”

Read more about Emma's inspirational story here: https://bit.ly/4kBpK3F

A big day at Racing Victoria for our PCV Ride to Time riders! Starting off the morning with a mechanical horse session and gym the riders had a ball testing out their skills (it’s definitely harder on the horses than it looks!) and the parents/guardians all had a quick look around the various oaers of the RV offices. After a delicious lunch we had an in depth chat to Racing Victoria staff who worked in the different departments of equine welfare, stewards, and participant wellbeing and careers. This was quite interesting to see the “other side” of the industry from the ground and the opportunities that are out there. A big thank you to Racing Victoria for this opportunity!!

Emily, Ride To Time Coach and Tayla Childs, Jockey

Some of the riders experiencing the mechanical horses supported by Tayla, Jess and Nathan

Pony Club Victoria Ride To Time riders are visiting Racing Victoria today.

🙌Bonnie Kearney’s State Ride to Time at Moonee Valley. Bonnie placing 3rd in the state! 🙌 Bonnie’s support crew mentioned: “Bonnie was very excited to represent NMZ at Moonee Valley Stakes Day. This was an amazing experience for her s beings jockey is a potential career path for her. She was determined to give it everything she had. She finished 3rd, with 10 zones entered (9 competes) The atmosphere was intense, with a large crowd on Stakes Day, something Bonnie isn’t used to, but she rode beautifully, and Lucy took it all in her stride.” Congratulations Bonnie!

Congratulations to all pony club riders who participated in the Ride To Time State Championship at The Valley on Saturday 👏🏼

RESULTS 👇🏻

🏆 Maiden category (2 min)
1st: Paige Rewuk (Mornington Peninsula PC)
Best Presented: Tessa Lloyd Smith (Williamstown Horse & PC)

🏆 Open category (1 min 49 sec)
1st: Amanda Ward (Benalla Pony Club)
Best Presented: Georgia Matthews (Barwon Valley PC)

Inspirational words from Craig Williams when speaking to pony club riders at The Valley on Saturday 🙌🏻

https://x.com/Racing/status/1964144311223603296?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet&fbclid=IwY2xjawMoerJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0Z284ZzZ4ZGJxbFVlbEQ0AR4ssuG15aHQModitND4ZBVKMbh3qGD0Gucl0YBiB1WEVgXdej-dFRRZNxIEew_aem_M6gOJ9J02LRkqeLeu27TLg

Racing.com (@Racing) on X

Great article by Moonee Valley to promote Ride To Time Satte Final tomorrow!!

The next generation of stars will get to showcase their skills on a G1 raceday as The Valley hosts Pony Club Victoria's Ride To Time State Championships on Saturday 🏇

Read more: bit.ly/46iYPEd