North Dorrigo Pony Club

23/10/2026

22/10/2026

What has your child learned from horses that has nothing to do with riding?

Perhaps they've become more confident. Learned to be patient. Made friendships they wouldn't otherwise have made. Or discovered that caring for an animal brings responsibilities, challenges and rewards of its own.

These are things Pony Club parents often see firsthand, and Australian research is helping us better understand how learning alongside horses can influence young people.

A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Sport, Education and Society explored the experiences of young people participating in a seven-week equine-assisted learning program.

Researchers identified some interesting themes:

🐴 Growing confidence and overcoming fears

🐴 Learning to manage emotions and respond calmly to challenges

🐴 Building friendships, trust and connections with others

And importantly, these experiences weren't just about riding. Grooming, leading, feeding and spending time with horses were all part of the program.

While the study wasn't specifically about Pony Club, its findings offer an interesting perspective on why the time children spend around horses can be so valuable.

At Pony Club, learning to ride is only part of the experience. Learning to understand, respect and care for horses matters just as much.

We'd love to hear from our Pony Club parents. What's something you've seen your child learn or develop through Pony Club that goes beyond their riding skills?

Photo credit: Issie Hill, Benalla Pony Club

Pony Club Tasmania Pony Club Victoria Pony Club NSW Pony Club Qld Pony Club Association NT - PCANT Pony Club Association of South Australia Inc. Pony Club WA

14/10/2026

🐴💙 GET READY, PONY CLUB NSW! ENTRIES OPEN THIS FRIDAY! 💙🐴

The countdown is on! ⏰

We're heading to TAMWORTH for the 2026 Pony Club NSW State Dressage & Showriding Championships, and entries officially open at 9am this Friday, 16th October! 🎉

Whether you're preparing to ride down the centreline or shine in the showring, it's time to get those horses ready for a fantastic weekend of competition! 🏆🐎

📍 Location: Tamworth, NSW
📅 Championship Dates: 27–29 November 2026
🟢 Entries Open: Friday 16 October at 9am
🔴 Entries Close: Tuesday 10 November at midnight

✨ DON'T MISS OUT!

Start getting organised, get your horse details including microchip no, get your ZCI entry Code, mark your calendars and get ready to submit your entries when they open on Friday!

We can't wait to see our Pony Club NSW riders and their horses competing at this year's State Championships! 💙

30/09/2026

Parents night out at pony camp 2026

30/09/2026

🐴🎉 NORTH DORRIGO PONY CLUB STREET PARADE! 🎉🐴

🌟Come along and support our local riders🌟

📆 Date: Thursday, Oct 1
📍 Starting: Dorrigo Showgrounds
🕝 Time: 2:45pm
🏇 Arriving at the Monument: Approximately 3:00pm

Bring the family, find a spot along the street and watch the ponies and riders make their way through Dorrigo! 🐎❤️

We’d love to see plenty of smiling faces lining the streets and supporting our local riders. 🎊

See you there! 🐴🇦🇺

22/09/2026

21/09/2026

🐴 FROM THE GROUND UP – THE HORSE COMES FIRST

Before the helmet goes on.
Before the saddle goes on.
Before we head into the arena.
The horse comes first. 💙

Good horsemanship starts with noticing the little things — how your horse looks, moves, behaves and responds before you even get on.

TRY THIS: THE 60-SECOND HORSE CHECK

Before every ride, take one minute to really look at your horse.

👀 LOOK — Are their eyes bright? Is their expression normal? Any swelling, cuts or heat?
🐴 WATCH — Are they standing and moving comfortably? Is anything different from normal?
✋ FEEL — Run your hands down their legs and over their body. Check for heat, swelling or sensitivity.
🧠 NOTICE — Are they relaxed and interested, or unusually quiet, tense or unsettled?
🪢 CHECK — Is all tack clean, correctly fitted and comfortable before you ride?

The more time we spend learning what is normal for our own horse, the easier it becomes to notice when something isn’t quite right.
Because becoming a better rider isn’t only about what happens in the saddle.

It starts From the Ground Up.

💙 The Horse Comes First.

10/09/2026

2026 Glenreagh Gymkhana Program- Entries are now open on Justgo, Closing 9th October

08/09/2026

🐴 TAKING IT ALL IN YOUR STRIDE

Flatwork & Dressage Education Series
It’s not always about harder movements — it’s about making every stride better.

Good flatwork is the foundation of good riding. Rhythm, balance, straightness, suppleness, responsiveness and connection all start on the flat — whether your goal is dressage, jumping, eventing or simply becoming a better rider.

Over the coming months, Taking It All in Your Stride will bring you simple exercises, practical training ideas and easy-to-understand tips that you can take from the screen to the arena.

Because education isn’t always about moving on to something harder.

Sometimes, it’s about doing the simple things better.

🐴 Take your time. Build the basics. Make every stride count.

7 Pillars. 7 Days. More education, every week.