April Club of the Month

Club of the Month – Gulgong and District Pony Club

This month we are proud to feature Gulgong and District Pony Club from Zone 6, a club with a long and proud history of supporting riders, families, and the wider pony club community.

Located on Barneys Reef Road, Gulgong, the club has been running since 1960 and continues to play an important role in the lives of its members. With 30 riding members ranging in age from 7 to 43, as well as 3 valued non-riding volunteers, Gulgong and District Pony Club is a wonderful example of a club that welcomes riders and families of all ages and stages.

One of the club’s most exciting recent achievements is the work that has begun on its cross-country course, which has been condemned for the past 10 years. This is a major project, but one the club is tackling with great determination and vision. When completed, it will be the only usable cross-country course in Zone 6 and will provide a valuable training hub for one day events for the wider zone. This is a fantastic step forward not only for the club, but for the whole Pony Club community in the area.

Gulgong and District Pony Club meets monthly, with rally days designed to help riders build confidence, skills, and horsemanship in a supportive environment. A typical rally day begins with a gear check, followed by a troop drill and flatwork session, before riders break into groups based on skill level and work with instructors in suitable areas for their activities. Morning tea and lunch breaks are lovingly catered for by the club’s volunteers, adding to the strong sense of community that runs through every rally day.

The club currently offers instruction in showjumping, dressage, and sporting, with plans to soon expand into cross-country and trail riding instruction as their facilities continue to develop. Lessons in horse care and safety are also incorporated into every lesson plan, ensuring members gain not only riding skills, but also the knowledge needed to care for their horses responsibly.

Fundraising is another area where the club has shown great commitment. Over the past year, members and volunteers have worked hard through weekly meat raffles at their sponsoring hotel, as well as selling chocolates and lollies to support the club and its future growth.

When asked what inspires them most in the equestrian world, the club shared that it is their young riders who are the real inspiration. Watching children grow in confidence, develop their skills, and work toward their goals is what makes all the hard work worthwhile. That passion for helping riders grow is clearly at the heart of everything the club does.

The club says the best thing about being a member is being part of a community where people help each other and volunteer their time simply to support one another. It is this safe, friendly, and encouraging environment that makes Gulgong and District Pony Club such a special place.

Adding even more heart to the story is the fact that the club has life members who still return to help instruct, showing the lasting connection people feel to this wonderful pony club.

Their advice to other clubs is simple but valuable: encourage volunteer work and participation through fun activities, and cater for adult riders as well as children to help grow family involvement in the club.

Pony Club NSW congratulates Gulgong and District Pony Club on being our Club of the Month and thanks everyone involved for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to keeping pony club strong for future generations. You have now been added to be running for the 2026 Club of the Year.