NSW State Pony Club Team has the Experience of a Lifetime at Nationals in WA

Madeline Prell and her horse Coolaroo Scamp, National Junior Showjumping Champion

NSW Junior Mounted Games team, 2nd place

Mikayla Wilkinson, Junior Dressage (Photo: RedFoto Event photography)

The NSW State Pony Club team have returned home from competing in Western Australia after having the experience of a lifetime. 

Thirteen riders representing NSW travelled to compete in the Pony Club Australia National Championships held at the Western Australia State Equestrian Centre, Brigadoon, from the 26 to the 30 September 2013.

For many competitors and their families this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Western Australia to compete in the National Pony Club Championships which is held every two years in a different Australian state.

Many competitors took extra time before and after the trip to sightsee and make the trip a bit of a holiday.

Congratulations to the NSW state team who performed exceptionally well in all disciplines. In particular Madeline Prell and her horse Coolaroo Scamp from Crookwell Pony Club who is now the National Junior Showjumping Champion!

Emma Botfield riding horse Federer from Warialda Pony Club placed third place in Senior Showjumping.

The NSW Junior Mounted Games team consisting of Annabelle Ledger, Madeline Skopek, Thomas Read, Tom Pearce and Kynan Trotter came second, with Western Australia first and Victoria third.

Tiffany Bignold on her horse Glo-Brook Legend from Glenorie Pony Club, took out third place in Senior Dressage. The NSW Junior Dressage team also placed third overall.   

The NSW Tetrathlon Junior team consisting of Kynan Trotter, Tom Pearce, Thomas Read and Madeline Prell placed second. Tom Pearce also came second in the Junior Tetrathlon. Tetrathlon involves four elements, shooting at a target from 30 metres, running 1,500 metres, ride a 600m course with showjumping fences and swim the furthest distance in four minutes.

According to Jacqui Moon, Pony Club WA Events Administrator, “It was fantastic to be able to showcase this event and introduce it to those that had not seen it before.”

Competitors stayed at the venue in donga style accommodation and enjoyed meeting fellow competitors from other states around Australia. A highlight of the competition was the official dinner, a formal social event for the competitors, parents and supporters. The official dinner included a three course formal dinner followed by a cheese platter, tea and coffee at the beautiful Belvoir Estate a renowned wedding and function venue. 

“WA can be proud that we have hosted an event that was well run, competitor and family friendly and lived up to the PC ethos,” commented Jacqui Moon, WA Event Administrator. “Thank you to all riders, parents and friends from near and far who attended our Championships with great team spirit and sense of camaraderie. We sincerely hope you enjoyed your time with us, made some new friends and will always fondly remember the 2013 PCA National Championship.”

A special thank you to Pony Club NSW members who helped to raise a total of $22,500 through the Nationals fundraising raffle, the money raised was greatly appreciated and was distributed to competitors to assist with the expenses of travelling to WA with their horses for the event.  

The Pony Club Association of is supported by Sport and Recreation a division of Communities NSW, Flamtree Inc, Mitavite official feed partner, Global Entries Online, Resort Trailers Queanbeyan, Ranvet, Club Colours Direct and other local sponsors.

Quick Links

• To find a Pony Club near you visit the state website on www.pcansw.org.au
• Pony Club horses for sale on HORSEZONE