PCASA News March 2019

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March 2019

Keep the Club Submissions coming in to make this an interesting, informative, entertaining and enjoyable place to spend a bit of time so keep an eye on the Pony Club Association of SA Facebook page where you'll see call out for stories, pictures and content. Whenever you have something at your club worth sharing, email it to the PCASA News Editor at carolneller@hotmail.com
or send it into the office and Helen will forward it onto me.

PRESIDENT'S PIECE

Hello fellow Pony clubbers
We have been quite busy since the first newsletter. Thank you to those that sent articles in to Carol, keep them coming. Remember this is your newsletter and a great way to share your stories and maybe inspire others.
As you can see we have a new section - a profile of a Pony club member which will be someone different each issue, so if you have someone who is or has been a great pony clubber send in the information and we'll tell their story.
Our proof reader has been busy looking at your programs, keep sending them to Kylie before you put them up anywhere.
DCSI screening checks have been coming in which is fantastic, keep them coming.
Play by the rules training certificates have also been coming in - albeit not as quickly as we'd like. As this training is linked to our funding, we ask every PC member to do it - just Google "Play by the Rules Online training" and it will take you straight to the portal. There are lots of modules, but we specifically ask you do complete Child Protection and Harassment/Discrimination. Then save your Completion Certificate and email that into the office.
We had a visit from the PCA chair and CEO in February and around 20 Members met with them. Topics covered were our member numbers and how we can improve our governance to get more funding and boost our membership.

Zones have been busy with Gear check clinics and coach training.
PCASA had their Pony club Steward Update and Cross country course building clinic hosted by Gawler River PC and presented by Wayne Copping. Thank you Wayne and Gawler River. I believe it was a very successful day.
The hot weather in last couple of months has seen our hot weather policy receive a workout, well done it’s pleasing to see clubs continue to show good horse welfare and duty of care to our members.
Just a reminder to members if you want to suggest changes to gear rules etc., send your thoughts and suggestion in to the Rules Advisory Committee. We can’t help with your issues if we don’t know about them, but please put them in writing through your club and zone.

Happy Riding
Ann Olsen

MITSUBISHI MOTORS supports
PONY CLUBBERS!

Mitsubishi Motors is a proud supporter of Pony Club.

Pony Club Australia members are entitled to a National Fleet Discount on any new Mitsubishi vehicle. The National Fleet Discount delivers exclusive pricing normally only reserved for large organisations. There is no limit to the number of vehicles eligible for the discount, as long as the vehicles are registered in the member's name, who may be a parent or supporting member. Mitsubishi is the SUV Expert and know that towing your horse float is different to any other type of towing. So Mitsubishi has tested out the most popular tow cars in a horse towing test.

SEE WHICH SUV IS RIGHT FOR YOUR STABLE

To access your discount, simply fill in the form and take it into your local Mitsubishi dealer along with your membership card (printed or virtual card).

PONY CLUB DISCOUNT FORM

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Every issue, we will shine the spotlight on a member, could be anyone - anywhere - maybe even you! But to kick it off - I shone the spotlight on our PCASA President, Ann Olsen... Ann Olsen joined LeHunte Pony Club in 1970 as a junior rider with Dusty, her 14.1 hands palomino. She then moved on to a grey mare called Gyspy.
She was lucky enough to go on and represent her club at zone and state level in competition. As time went by Ann looked to give something back to the movement that had given her so much knowledge, confidence and FUN. Hours were spent at working bee’s over the years, mowing grass, cleaning toilets, painting rails and setting up arenas, as well as working with her brother to design and build LeHunte’s Cross Country Course.

Expanding beyond her Club, Ann has helped at 43 Zone schools and 9 state championships hosted by Eyre Peninsula Zone. I’m exhausted just thinking about all that work!

In 1980 Ann began coaching younger riders and worked through Instructor levels achieving her C3 certificate. Since then she completed her NCAS Level 1 and became a “K” certificate examiner, coach presenter/educator and an assessor of Preliminary and Level 1 coach candidates. She has mentored many Preliminary and Level 1 Coaches and has clocked up hundreds of thousands of kilometres travelling throughout South Australia teaching and testing riders and coaches.

Titles under her name include Club President, Zone President, Club chief instructor, Zone chief instructor and, more recently, State President of Pony Club Association of South Australia.

Add to that being part of the Rules Advisory Committee, Chief Instructor Panel, Training Coordinator and the SA Delegate to the Pony Club Australia Coaching Panel and you can see a wealth of knowledge accumulated that’s invaluable to us all.
Recognition has come with Life Membership of her Club, Zone and State, an Award of Merit from the State, the prestigious Australian Sports medal and the Jim Toole award for volunteering.

One of her most treasured pony club item is a hand written certificate given to her by the young riders in her club and it’s special and personal rewards such as this that make Club officials and volunteers feel valued and appreciated in our Pony Club world.
Outside of Pony Club Ann worked as a career in a dementia unit for 18 years, she now works as a supervisor and volunteers for SA Ambulance Service. Ann was awarded citizen of the year in 2002 for the District Council of LeHunte.

Ann has also received a commendation for the Community Individual award for volunteering as part of the SA great awards and has been a finalist as well.

Ann and her horse Pedro in 1980 State Champs Games Team

NORTHERN HILLS PC BEACH RIDE 2019

Fun in the Sun

Pic submission thanks to Nanon Mijolic, NHPC

CELEBRATE LE HUNTE'S 50TH BIRTHDAY

Le Hunte Pony Club celebrated their 50th birthday. LeHunte Pony Club was formed on 28^th April 1968 with Bill Heath and Birdie Barns filling the positions of President and Secretary. There have been ups and downs since that time - recently they were down to just 1 member but things have built up! They changed the old long drop dunny for a new toilet block, built a storage shed, got a second-hand kitchen and secured their grounds with fencing. Bit by bit, step by step.

Over the last 50 years they have hosted 6 zone schools in 1971, 1977, 1987, 1995, 2000, and 2016 as well as State Champs in 1991and 2008. Within EP Zone there is just one K Certificate holder - Ann Olsen .. from Le Hunte.

Five members have been rewarded with Life Memberships; Syd Cummins, Claire Olsen, Brenda Cummins, Ann Olsen, Colin Olsen.

The Club has evolved and adapted over the years and now have weekend rallies to cater better for their growing membership who comes from near and far.

Article submission thanks to Claire Olsen, LeHPC

...AND GAWLER RIVER PC HAD THEIR 60TH

Recently Gawler River Pony Club celebrated our 60^th Birthday.

On the 9^th February we invited founding members and past presidents and other VIPS to the club for a birthday celebration. It was also our first rally back after the summer break and members attended with their horses and ponies showing the visitors the skills and capabilities of the current membership in dressage and show jumping.

We had nearly 60 past & present members attend and a good night was had by all.

Dianna Birmingham. the club's chief instructor and vice president of PCASA was in attendance. saying it was great to catch up with those members who hadn’t been there for some time,

The founding members were elated to see the club they had started so many years ago still thriving.

The club started at Newbold Stud at Gawler River in 1959 moved to Clonea Park just outside Gawler and then moved again to its' current location at Hillier.

Gawler River members hope once again to compete at the Zone Championships with 'some of them will be selected to compete in the State Championships in August.

The club is always looking for new members and are always encouraging new people of all ages to come along to see what we do. Our current membership span the ages from 4 years old to 65yrs young.

The Pony Club movement is alive and well all over Australia with the 80^th Birthday of Pony Club Australia is coming up soon.

Article submission thanks to Margaret DeGreef, GRPC

...AND FAR WEST ALSO TURNED 50

The Club had its inaugural meeting at the Ceduna Show grounds on February 9th 1969 with 15 adult and 15 junior members present. Patron, Mr N Hurrell donated $10 to start the club off financially and membership fees were set at $2 per year. FWPC hit the ground running with 6 instructors, rallies held twice a month, a gymkhana in the April and running of the horses in action at Ceduna agricultural show!

Members travelled all over Eyre Peninsula to compete in ODEs, gymkhanas, zone competitions and just to join other clubs in regular rallies. The original formal uniform was a yellow 'pull over', yellow tie, with shirt with fawn jodhpurs. Hard hat and riding boots were compulsory for all riders.

Our club has had several uniform changes over the years. In the 90's a brown jumper replaced yellow but this much maligned coloured attire soon made a return to be teamed with royal blue tie and saddle blanket.

And in 2015 Far West had a complete wardrobe clean out with changing club colours to teal, grey, black and white. Next month FWPC will host the highlight of the Eyre Peninsula Pony Club Zone year, the annual Zone School. With clubs being spread out across Eyre Peninsula it takes quite a financial and physical effort to for members to get here to Ceduna. Many will travel over 1000 kms to attend. All Far West members are looking forward to welcoming everyone to this zone school and are planning to make our 50th year the biggest and the best!

Top photo from 2016, then a FWPC Competitor at ODE in Wudinna in 1996 and finally Uniform of 2010. Mounted riders wearing formal & unmounted in casual uniform.

Article submission thanks to Destiny Franklin, FWPC

MOUNTAIN HITS THE TARGET

On Saturday the 2nd February Mountain Pony Club held an Archery Clinic for its members. It was a great learning experience for each of our riders and everyone came away with their Level 1 Archery patch and some new great skills.
‘Some of our members chanelled their inner warrior this morning. If you look at their faces you can see why their instructor Bianca calls this 'empowerment for riders'. What an amazing clinic! Thank you so much Bianca. You were such an amazing coach. You made everything safe and fun and everyone had a ball. Thank you Mountain Pony Club for providing this unique opportunity and to Kristian Masters for the wonderful photos yet again.’

Story submission thanks to Robyn Coulter, Mountain PC

LET'S TAKE A PEAK AT JUPITER CREEK .. PC

Jupiter Creek Pony Club based out of Kirkcaldy Park held their inaugural AGM at Woodcutters Cottage in Kuitpo Forest in July 2017. We are now nearly 2 years old.

With 35 attendees at the AGM our constitution was ratified.

From humble beginnings, talking to parents about what to do for the older kids, & how to keep them in Pony Club to now, is amazing. We wanted the kids to have more individual learning experiences, to improve their skills & to be part of a team, thus capping numbers at 25 under 26 & 10 over.

A home was needed, & Karin Edwards was on board straight away offering her property, Kirkcaldy Park. What a fantastic venue, indoor & outdoor arenas, cross country course & right next to Kuitpo Forest.

The junior committee was then enlisted to design a uniform. With the help of Julie’s free hand drawings the polos were born, Tam came up with the colours of black, white & gold. Gold for the Jupiter Creek gold mine seemed perfect. Beth designing the logo to add to the sash that Trudi suggested.

The Super cross that was run in March 2017 was a fabulous way to kick start the treasury. This has been followed by 2 Combined Competitions & many Twilight Freshman’s days.

Thanks to our sponsors, Underdale Drillers & Office & Image Services, & Les Limpus who donates his time. We have a fantastic group of kids & parents who all pitch in to help.

Two successful grant applications through Mt Barker Council have allowed us to successfully run Combined Training in 2018, & another in 2019.

2018 saw us run the Jupiter Creek PC Horse Trials in conjunction with Kirkcaldy Horse Trials.

It is fantastic to see the members out enjoying their riding, their horses & each other’s company as well as successfully representing Jupiter Creek & PCASA Southern Zone.

This club was set up to empower the members, the kids & riders, to make choices & to grow in Pony Club.

Article submission thanks to Deb Cook.

DONATION IS A BULLSEYE FOR NYP

Thanks to a generous $10,000 donation from Moonta Darts Club, NYP Pony Club is about to make some much-needed improvements to their Club!

RECIPE FOR A GOOD INSTRUCTOR

INGREDIENTS;- 1 Bucketful of patience
                               5kg of love for what you are doing
                               3kg of humour
                               1 hide like an elephant
                               No desire to make money

METHOD;- Mix thoroughly and distribute to all pony club riders over as long a period of time as you can.
You may notice I did not mention knowledge.
The above ingredients mixed with knowledge are IDEAL.
The knowledge without the above ingredients is A DISATER.
I found this when going through old minutes from Barb Hein 1987.

"Recipe" submission thanks to Claire Olsen

FACES OF PCASA

WORDS OF WISDOM - Megan Jones

I’ve been asked to put pen to paper with some words of wisdom for pony club members.

Now something that took me a long time to realise is ‘you don’t win the warm up’

This means you don’t need to compare yourself to everyone else warming up. You just stick to your own warm up plan. This brings me to my next point.

Riding on a weekly bases
Plan your weekly rides.
How many per week?
How long do you have each ride day ?

Because if you know what day you’ll be short on time that day can be a pole work day or a lunge day. Then on your dressage days have an idea of what you want to train. My suggestion is lots of transitions!! On your jump day don’t just herb around jumping jumps. Instead, practice jumping one jump on a circle to help your horse stay soft and supple on landing. Change rein many many times. Make the most of your time on your horse. Then don’t forget the fun hack out days (a good trail ride!) you and your horse will enjoy it. Don't become arena bound.

Next issue will come out mid June - please send story submissions and photographs to carolneller@hotmail.com
Would especially love to see Pony Club Team Pics for 2019