Where horsemanship meets friendship
Southside Pony Club would like to thank everyone for their support during 2019.
We are now taking some time off with our families over the Christmas/New Year period & giving our ponies some much needed rest.
We will be back on board late January and will responde to any inquiries when we return.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season.
In our 60th anniversay year, we reflect on some of the elements that make our club truly special.
Children are at the heart of this historic city Pony Club
We have ovder 70 members, over half of which are children. This total will increase over the coming months as memberships are renewable at the turn of every year.
Based on past trends we look set to reach the high 90s and maybe even push 100 members this year.
As children grow older within the club they take on increased responsibilities and assist with the education of the younger members.
A rich history that spans generations
Many community members we meet reminisce about family involvement with the club when their children were small.
Our club is run by a volunteer committee of 8 members with the support of their extended family. All members volunteer and many come back to help and assist years after their children have left the club.
Running successful programs that embrace the local community
In 2018 we built on the success of our former ‘saddle club’ and launched ‘Ready Set Trot’.
Ready Set Trot is supported by the Australian Government, Equestrian Australia and Pony Club Australia.
The beginner riders program allows children with an interest in horses and who may not have access to a horse of their own (or might be starting to learn the basics) the opportunity to have fun and get started in equestrian sport.
“Ready Set Trot aims to introduce children to horses and provide them with a better understanding of horsemanship in a fun and exciting way.
“Ready Set Trot strives to teach children the fundamentals of horsemanship, allow them to sample opportunities within the horse industry and build a lifelong passion for horses.”
Excerpt from the Ready Set Trot website
Southside Pony Club offers family-orientated outdoor fun and an alternative to screen time plus a chance to relax and have fun away from the classroom.
An introduction to competitive riding
Our members are often out competing for their club at weekends. Pony club events are fun and educational giving our kids a great opportunity to have a go at competing together.
A large part of the fun is in the preparation the team go through in the lead up to an event.
Ponies for therapy
Just under 10% of members have cited ponies for therapy as a reason for becoming involved.
Southside Pony Club’s inclusive, friendly environment has been known to assist with children’s therapy journey. As animal assisted therapy is becoming more widespread, this area offers potential growth for our club.
Community links
We have been inextricably linked with the community for 60 years. Our association with local schools, sports organisations such as Bulimba Golf Club and catchment families has been a major factor in our success.
Our reach is far broader than our base of active members. Southside Pony Club is an institution, our ponies are on many people’s walking route and give locals a chance to interact up close within a city environment. Our position within the community is established and meaningful to many.
The importance of our agistment paddocks
Without agistment Southside Pony Club would cease to exist. As a city club we need to be able to provide paddocks for horses to continue operations.
There just aren’t enough ponies in the catchment otherwise. The revenue from agistment funds repairs and maintenance, which is largely carried out by our volunteers – a self-fulfilling prophecy.
60th Anniversary Hoedown – Saturday, October 26th
We’re hosting an anniversary party like no other. Planning for our Southside Pony Club Hoedown on Saturday, October 26th is in full swing.
If you’ve been involved with the club in the past we’d love to hear from you and invite you to join us for the event. We intend to extend the invite to this event to our wider community.
If you’re keen to help organise the event, we’d also love to hear from you.
Please email Club President Suzanne Newman at ponyclubsouthside@gmail.com for further information.
We’re really excited about our Easter Holiday activities! The two programs on offer are led by Club President Suzanne Newman and Instructor Bethany Van Barneveld.
We’re confident that we’ve got something for everyone!
Ready Set Trot’s first ever holiday program is on Tuesday, April 3rd from 9-3pm. It’s a smorgasbord of learning, riding, hands-on pony care and, above all, it will be so much fun!
Click here for our Ready Set Trot holiday flyer: Ready Set Trot Easter Holiday Program 2018.
We are also running an SSPC Member’s Camp from 3.30pm on Thursday, April 5th to 4pm on Friday, April 6th.
Thursday includes mounted games, fun round the campfire and more. All followed by a night under canvas.
Friday’s clinic is led by Amy Godsall, who will be assessed for her EA qualifications at the same time. Riders will be given the chance of instruction in show jumping, dressage and cross country. Participation is subject to ability and own horse.
This camp is open to all members, with options for riding or non-riding (there is a lot to be gained from observing). However, riding in Friday’s clinics is subject to own / use of a pony.
Camping is subject to bringing your own tent and adult supervision throughout the night!
All meals provided!
Click here for our Flyer: SSPC Members Camp Easter Holidays 2018.
First in best dressed, places limited!
Enquiries to Suzanne Newman – ponyclubsouthside@gmail.com or phone 0452 412 922.
Our friendly, family-oriented club is now offering a term-time Ready Set Trot program.
The program is designed to give young people opportunities to have fun with horses without the need for pony ownership.
It is also ideally suited to those considering becoming a pony owner.
During the Friday afternoon sessions the children will learn fundamental horse skills and awareness within a safe environment.
It’s really exciting to be launching our Ready Set Trot Programe, we are very grateful to our owners for making their ponies available to enable local children a chance to learn to ride.
Suzanne Newman, SSPC President
The children will also be learning to ride with one of our qualified instructors.
Ready Set Trot launches on Friday, February 9th. The initial program runs for 7 weeks.
Places are limited, bookings on a first come first served basis and subject to availability of suitable ponies for the individual participant.
For more information call Suzanne Newman on 0452 412922 or email ponyclubsouthside@gmail.com.
Winter has come and gone at Southside. As the temperature rises and Spring arrives we reflect on the fun we’ve had.
Our saddle clubbers learned a lot this term, their focus during the winter was on equipment. It’s been amazing to watch the children’s knowledge grow over the year.
Sonya and Maddy Trau gave a great session on rugs, the children couldn’t believe how many types there were.
Learning about how to help the ponies stay warm in winter and how we will help them to overcome the heat and summer flies was fascinating.
The children have taken a lot of new information on board, their confidence has grown enormously.
One of the things that’s really great to see is how much the littlies have been learning from our older junior members.
At the end of a busy term, they proudly received their certificates for correctly identifying headcollars, lead ropes and the correct rug for different weather types. Well done everyone!
Musters continued and our instructors really made the most of our amazing club grounds with some fun sessions.
Our riders and their ponies enjoyed the cooler weather taking the opportunity to ride in the morning musters.
In winter, we’ll ride at the end of the day as the heat recedes.
When the September holidays hit there was no better way to relieve the boredom than with a spring clean as our juniors set about cleaning their tack and equipment.
Their bridles and saddles glistened after a job well done!