For the first week of the school holidays, members of Yass Pony Club joined other clubs from surrounding districts at Bungendore for the Annual Zone 16 Pony Club Camp – described by many as the biggest (240 riders) and best yet.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Yass Pony Club parents were also there in force to be instructors, troop leaders, first-aid providers, amenities cleaners, dormitory supervisor and of course, kitchen and dining room duties.
This year, troops were named after horse breeds and it was the Clydesdales, Exmoors and Dartmoors who were lead by Yass parents.
Along with the usual line-up of show jumping, dressage, eventing, polo cross, team sporting, mounted games and musical rides, new additions to the program were rider and equine first aid, cattle work and the Tetrathlon.
Tetrathlon is a team competition by the pony club for its members. It comprises the four disciplines of horse riding, swimming, cross country running and pistol shooting. The Yass Pony Club instructors, otherwise known as ‘The Yass Drovers’, ran the inaugural cattle work sessions.
Working with cattle proved to be a highlight for many and ignited enthusiasm for more of the same. Those with whetted appetites can hone their skills at the next Yass Pony Club cattle clinic fundraiser on September 24 – which will be on Global Entries online soon.
If you weren’t tuckered out from the daily line-up of fantastic equestrian activities, there was plenty of fun in the evenings especially on skit night and at the end of camp disco.
For the more quiet at heart, there was the nightly pleasure of gathering around a campfire to recount the day’s adventures. At camp’s end, the usual ‘funkhana’ finale followed by presentations heralded in the end of a wonderful week – which can be summarised as a week of general willingness to have a go at new activities and achieve a personal best.
The camaraderie, sportsmanship and mutual support among the riders and volunteers was outstanding. A big congratulations is extended to those who were awarded Troop Awards and achieved pony club progress badges and higher jump grading.
Amid the final pack-up, the troops disbanded with fond farewells and discussions of plans already afoot for attending next year’s camp.
For pony club parents, it was home to piles of laundry, tired riders and ponies and their own fond memories of the enjoyment that a shared endeavour brings.