More than six decades after it was founded, Southside Pony Club is rebuilding at Rochedale South and relaunching a grassroots program aimed at opening the horse world to local children.
The club was forced to leave its long-time Morningside base in 2023 due to redevelopment, losing its clubhouse, arenas and long-standing facilities.
Southside Pony Club secretary Shelly Ward said they had since found a new home at Rochedale sports and recreation grounds, which they’ve spent the past year restoring for use.
A key step in that rebuild is the return of Pony Pals, a six-week introductory horsemanship program starting on 1 May.
Children aged five to 12 will learn how to approach, handle and care for horses, with sessions covering grooming, feeding and safety.
The program runs in small groups, rotating through practical and theory activities, Ms Ward said.
“We bring a range of horses in, from tiny little minis up to big ex-race horses that children then learn how to groom, how to approach a horse, how to feed a horse,” she said.
“This is really grassroots level, and it’s designed to be the step before riding.”
Club president Suzanne Newman said the program was designed to support both learning and confidence.
“Pony Pals is designed to give children a positive and confidence-building introduction to horses, while also supporting their broader learning and personal development,” Mrs Newman said.
“For many families in our community, this program is their first opportunity to engage with equestrian education.”
Ms Ward said access to horses had become increasingly limited for families.
“There’s no access to horses unless you have one in pony club, or your alternative is to go to a riding school,” Ms Ward said.
“The riding schools now, due to insurance costs and all of the other fees that go along with it, can be $145 for an hour for a lesson these days.”
The Rochedale South site is still being developed, largely through volunteer effort, but the club said the program marks a turning point in bringing the grounds back to life for the Logan community.
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