Celebrating 80 years of Pony Club NSW in 2026!
Pony Club NSW is excited to celebrate Belconnen Pony Club, Zone 16, as our Club of the Month for May.
Based at MacGregor in the ACT, Belconnen Pony Club may be a small club, but it is big on community, kindness and inclusion. With 29 members, including riders, adult members, associates, juniors and valued non-riding volunteers, the club has created a welcoming environment where everyone has a role to play.
Belconnen Pony Club meets once a month, with riding members ranging from 8 years old through to 76 years old. Their rally days are designed to suit riders of all ages and abilities, with a strong focus on learning, safety, horsemanship and having fun.
A typical rally day begins with a theory session, where members learn about horse care, safety and other important topics. Over the past year, the club has also welcomed external professionals to speak with members about areas such as dentistry, bit fitting and chiropractic care. After morning activities, members share lunch together as a group before taking part in afternoon lessons, games or small events.
One of the club’s recent highlights was hosting a very special Do It For Dolly Day rally. The day focused on kindness, anti-bullying and inclusion, while still giving riders the chance to enjoy fun and engaging equestrian activities. Members dressed in blue, decorated their horses and ponies, took part in kindness activities, completed obstacle courses, joined in team challenges and finished the day with photos in a special Do It For Dolly frame.
Belconnen Pony Club says the best thing about being part of their club is the kindness of its members and the way everyone encourages and supports one another. Riders, volunteers, parents and committee members all contribute, whether that means setting up, packing down, helping with activities or simply making sure everyone feels included.
The club is inspired by Australian eventer Shane Rose, who started in Pony Club and has gone on to build an incredible career in the eventing and racing world. His resilience, horsemanship and dedication to his horses make him someone young riders can look up to and be inspired by.
Belconnen Pony Club’s advice to other clubs is simple but powerful: focus on kindness, inclusion and enjoyment, not just riding outcomes. By creating a supportive environment where members feel safe to try, make mistakes and learn at their own pace, clubs can build confidence, connection and a strong sense of community.
Congratulations to Belconnen Pony Club on being named Pony Club NSW Club of the Month for May. What a wonderful example of Pony Club spirit in action. You will now go into the running our our club of the year…
