The Pony Club Association of Queensland is a Youth Development and Sporting Organisation with an emphasis on inclusiveness, education, safety, self-discipline, self-respect and family values.
It is also the ideal training ground for our high performance equestrians; almost without exception, our recent Olympic riders have all commenced their career in a Pony Club.
With over 10,500 members, Queensland Pony Club is the largest Equestrian Organisation in the State. Over the past 55 years, the Association and its 225 clubs, which are situated from Mossman in the far North, to Boulia & Barcoo in the West and down to the NSW border, has continued to remain steady despite several adverse factors, such as flood, drought and a series of equine related viruses Equine Influenza, Hendra and Alyssa virus and their effects on the equine industry.
In Queensland several clubs, including Le Vale (first in Qld, established 1949), Gympie and Nambour were in existence before the State Association was formed. The State body was established to provide a formal structure for these already functioning, independent pony clubs. This allowed for a uniform, state wide, standard of instruction and competition, which followed the basic principles of the British Horse Society and Pony Clubs worldwide
In 1958, the existing clubs met at the Brisbane RNA Grounds. The meeting was called, by Officials of the NSW Pony Club Association, in order to form a Governing Body, for our existing Queensland clubs; This was later formalised and incorporated in 1959 when Sir Wallace Rae was elected the first President of the PCAQ.
The first tasks for the PCAQ was to formulate the Ideals and Codes of Behaviour, for Pony Clubs, Uniform Rules, Standards of Instruction and a workable Constitution and by-laws for Affiliated Clubs and PCAQ. The continued and stable nature of our Association, and the number of outstanding riders who commenced their careers in Pony Club testifies to the success of this undertaking.
PCQ is a remarkable Organisation that continues to nurture and develop young riders, not just as fine horsemen and women but as outstanding citizens, with a sense of self worth, respect and responsibility.
We have had so many fine role models in our organisation Mr Colin Meagher, who served as our Patron, a State President and an Instructor, Mr Percy Bishop, a founding member who had the remarkable distinction of being involved as a State Instructor for a full fifty years Peter Bondfield. Ned Twohill, Clive Black, Jack Makim, John Mawhinney and so many other master horsemen who are legends in the equine industry.
Australian Pony Club Council
The first meeting of a potential national body was held on September 1st 1961, during the second Inter Pacific Rally, (but the first held in Australia – in Melbourne); thus easing the way for representatives from all states to attend. This meeting sounded out the possible formation of a federal association to endeavour to bring uniformity to the Pony Club movement throughout Australia. Initially an Advisory and Liaison Committee was set up, in Sept 1961 with Erik Kolle (from PCAV) as chairman; with elected representatives from each state. Tasmania’s clubs were at this stage part of PCAV. The ACT, Northern Territory and New Guinea were invited to be members.
The development of the knowledge and ability of riders was the concern of Pony Club from its foundation. The emphasis has always been, in order of importance
• The safety of the rider
• The comfort of the horse
• The enjoyment of the rider
• The progress of the rider
