Mt Evelyn Pony Club

We were lucky to escape the cold and wet for our August Rally with a visit to Emzara Park Indoor Arena. A huge thank you to them for hosting us, as always we enjoyed visiting. A huge thank you also to our wonderful coaches, Jackie, Kirralee and Bethea. It was great for our riders to be able to enjoy flat, jumping and theory. 🐴 🤩 👏

❄️🐴 The MGAV Winter Series is back! 🐴❄️
Join us at Doongala on Saturday, 22nd August for a fantastic day of Mounted Games! 🎉
🌟 Morning clinic – open to all ages & abilities
🏆 Afternoon individuals competition
🐎 Pony training for riders new to Mounted Games & new pony combinations
💰 Clinic $25 | Individuals $15
✨ Day memberships available
Whether you're learning, refining your skills, or introducing a new pony to the sport, this is the day for you!
📅 Entries close 16th August
👉 Enter via Event Secretary
📧 enquiries: [email protected]
Come along, have some fun and get involved! 💙❄️

What an incredible achievement! 👏👏👏

Pony Club Australia has claimed victory at the 2026 International Mounted Games Exchange, finishing first against teams from the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand and Canada following a fortnight of competition and cultural exchange in the United States 🏆🇦🇺

Read more: https://equestrianlife.com.au/articles/pony-club-australia-claims-international-mounted-games-exchange-title-in-kentucky/

📷 Pony Club Australia

We often talk about equine welfare, and rightly so. But this week, we’re also looking at the wellbeing of the young people who spend time with horses.

A 2022 study explored a 10-week equine-assisted adaptive riding program for young people aged 6–17 with mild-to-moderate anxiety. The program combined riding, horsemanship and structured wellbeing skills, including relaxation, confidence-building and managing anxious thoughts.

The study found some encouraging benefits for young people, including:

• reduced anxiety
• improved emotional regulation
• opportunities to practise relaxation and coping skills
• confidence-building through supported horse activities
• connection, responsibility and trust-building with horses
• learning in a practical, non-clinical environment

Importantly, the study also considered horse welfare. Researchers monitored the horses’ stress and relaxation markers and found no significant signs that the program increased stress for the horses involved.

While this study focused on a therapeutic/adaptive riding program, it reflects something many Pony Club families already know: safe, structured and supportive horse environments can offer young people much more than riding skills.

For Pony Club members, that can mean confidence, friendships, responsibility, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.

And for families who are interested in getting started with horses but do not have their own, Pony Club Accredited Riding Centres provide a pathway to learn using trained school horses while working through the Pony Club Australia syllabus.

👉 Find a Pony Club or Accredited Riding Centre near you via the Pony Club Australia website.

For those who would like to read further, you can find the link to the study in the comments.

Congratulations to Bridget and Macey! Such a wonderful achievement. 👏 🥳🏆🐴♥️

SYDNEY CPEDI - The final WEG qualification event before the Australian team is chosen.

Macey once again solidified her greatness - all 13.1 1/2hh (officially measured) of it.
It took a bit to get us up to Sydney, for more than one reason, but I'm very glad we got there.
We placed 1st in each test, coming away as Grade 2 CPEDI3* Champions. We also added another two WEG qualification scores to our tally.

Thank you to everyone who donated to my last minute fundraiser, you helped make this trip possible! Thanks to you all our fuel and accommodation costs were covered 🙏💕

Big thanks to Jade and the team at Carlton Performance Horses, Equestrian Australia and Hawkesbury Dressage Club Inc. , the sponsors, judges, stewards and volunteers for making it possible to have such a great competition.

Thank you to Monica for being in my ear, warming us up everyday and motivating us for the next.
And Kate - I don't know what I'd do without you, and don't want to know. Thank you for everything you do.

As for now...
We just have to sit...cross everything... and wait...

Team Macey is proudly sponsored by..
Yarra Ranges Animal Hospital
Healesville Stockfeed and Farming Supplies
BetaVet Australia - Discount Code - BRIDGET15
4CYTE
Performance Riders
Paul Buckland Saddler
Happy Hacks Equine Massage Therapies 0403305997
Thistle Paddock

Australian Institute of Sport
Victorian Institute of Sport
Australian Sports Commission
Australian Equestrian Team

Please note that our Cross Country Course is now closed for winter and will reopen later in the year.

Get behind Bridget as she takes the next step on her journey to the World Equestrian Games!
This weekend she heads to Sydney for her final qualification event. Bridget’s dedication, determination, and sportsmanship make her an amazing role model. Go Bridget! 🍀🤞💚🐴

We've gotta go to Sydney | Australian Sports Foundation Support my journey to (hopefully) be at the 2026 World Equestrian Games — every contribution helps me train, travel, and compete at WEG qualification events.

🐴 ✨A brand new Pony Club year is just around the corner✨🐴

If you’re looking for a welcoming, fun and friendly club where riders can learn and make great friendships, we’d love to meet you!

Come along and visit us to see what our club is all about. 😀