Our last session of the Autumn term saw the children receive their first ever certificates. Well done to everyone for passing thir Grooming Certificate with flying colours! It’s been amazing to see the children progress in their learning as they become increasingly competent at caring for the ponies.
Harley is a natural!
On Sunday June 19th, it was with much excitement that our Saddle Clubbers took to the saddle for the first time.
The children braved an extremely windy day – so windy some of the sessions had to be cancelled to ensure the safety of the children, instructors and ponies.
It was great fun and Lucy was as obliging as ever!
Listening intently to SSPC instructor Lindsay
Thanks go to instructor Lindsay Green for her wonderful tuition and to our Junior member Natasha for leading the children.
Our Junior members have been fantastic this term for helping with the sessions, the children have been inspired and loved learning from you.
During Sonya Trau‘s time as President, Southside Pony Club has seen much change. In her first blog for the Club, Sonya shares her experience of what a difference three short years have made.
Everything has a cycle, and one thing is for certain our Community Clubs sure do too! When our family joined Southside Pony Club (SPPC) in 2013, we were delighted to find a friendly small club, where we could agist our horse close to our home in Bulimba.
The facilities however were very run down. A seedy, dusty old clubhouse, 30 year old arena covered in uneven grass and pot holes and old fencing. However, for the convenience of agisting in the inner city close to home and having some facilities, we were grateful.
In 2012, with seriously dated and degrading facilities, Southside Pony Club had found itself somewhere near the bottom of the cycle.
What goes down, must come up
Sonya Trau – SSPC President
Our saddle club kids and Southside’s cute pony Lucy meet Di Farmer
It goes to show though, that it doesn’t take much to turn that cycle around. It just takes adding a few fabulous new families, full of excitement and new energy to the existing team of dedicated members to change things entirely.
It’s hard to believe that in only the last three years SSPC have gone from dirt bottom to it’s dramatically changed current situation.
The changes that I have seen include:
a re-invigorated Saddle Club for non-pony owning kids aged up to 10yrs
a twice monthly Muster program for riding members
a brand new flash Club House
Our first muster in our new arena
Plus, quite incredibly as a result of winning 3 (of 3) grants late 2015 we have now been able to:
build a brand new sand arena (65mx33m)
re-fence in many areas
built much needed bridges to access our paddocks
has invested in a new jump trailer and some jumps
will be building a new Cross Country course shortly
From zero to hero in just three years thanks to the Queensland government, our hard working club members and their families.
It’s so thrilling to be contributing to and enjoying the ‘UP’ swing, in the natural cycle of community life!
On Sunday May 22nd, our new arena was open for it’s first muster – an event attended by Di Farmer. It was a landmark day in Southside Pony Club’s history as we celebrated the arrival of our state-of-the-art arena.
What a great day – fun all round in our new arena!
Everyone was in high spirits and there were smiles all round. Di Farmer enjoyed meeting our Saddle Club littlies and the horses and riders were in muster heaven as they put the new facilities to the test.
Main feature photo: Di Farmer presents the SSPC Committee with the grant cheque for the arena
To view all photos from the day in our gallery click here.
Our arena in the making
Work was relentless from arrival ’til completion!
The arena development work took just over a week – it was a mighty effort and the results speak for themselves.
Photo collage clockwise L-R
And so it began – the lorries arriving
Work starts and very soon all traces of our old arena are gone!
The new arena taking shape
In all its glory – our wonderful new arena ready for action!
