The Pony Club Association of NSW Introduces Hendra Virus Policy for State Run Events

The Pony Club Association of NSW (PCANSW) has announced a mandated Hendra Virus Vaccination Policy.  The policy will apply to all horses attending future PCANSW official events, including State Championships and State Camp. It will take effect from January 1, 2014. 

“All horses attending State Championships and State run events (i.e. State Camp) must be fully vaccinated against Hendra virus and applications must include a copy of their current vaccination certificate from the 1st of January 2014,” this motion was passed at the Pony Club Association NSW State Council meetings on Tuesday 26^th November 2013.

PCANSW holds a Camp each year for seventy riders in the equestrian disciplines of Showjumping, Dressage, Advanced Horsemanship, Eventing and Mounted Games. These riders come together for the week long camp and are instructed by top Australian coaches.

PCANSW holds nine State Championships a year in the disciplines of Sporting and Campdrafting, One Day Event, Dressage, Showjumping, Jumping Equitation, Mounted Games, Polocrosse and Showriding.

The vaccine is recommended for use in horses and is effective against the deadly Hendra Virus (HeV). The vaccine was launched at the beginning of November 2012 and it is now available nationwide through accredited Veterinarians.

Horses will initially be vaccinated with two doses, a minimum of twenty one days apart, with the onset of immunity occurring twenty one days after the second dose. Pony Club Association NSW is currently in talks with Zoetis, the producer of the Hendra vaccine, to discuss the possibility of arrangements to help offset the costs of vaccination and will keep our members advised on the status of this.

This is a Risk Management and member welfare issue and the Association has a duty of care for the health and safety of our members, spectators, event organisers and the wider community.

For more information regarding the Hendra vaccination in New South Wales visit the NSW Department of Primary Industry website http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ or the Australian Veterinary Associations website http://www.ava.com.au/

The Pony Club Association of NSW is supported by Sport and Recreation a division of Communities NSW, Mitavite official feed partner and Global Entries Online. Pony Club NSW has over 270 clubs with over 15, 500 members. These Pony Clubs operate from Tweed Heads in the north to Eden in the south. Such institutions represent the absolute grassroots level of horse riding in NSW. Visit our website to find a club near you, www.pcansw.org.au.