The Bega Valley is situated on the Far South Coast of NSW, Australia.

Bega Pony Club celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 2005.

There are currently 102 members including non-riding members.

Each year Bega Pony Club holds a four (4) day Camp, a One Day Event & Gymkhana.

This year the club also hosted the Zone 14 Showjumping Championships & the Zone 14 Regional Showjumping School. We will also host the Zone 14 Championship Jamboree at the end of the year.

Bega Pony Club members are strong in most

 
Some of Bega Pony Club's famous ex-riding members include:

Jamie Coman (Sydney 2000 Olympic SJ competitor & Australian National Showjumping Coach 2003 - 2006)

Boyd Excell (World Champion Harness Driver & recent winner of the CAI 4-A International Driving Event at the Royal Windsor Horse Show 2008).

Boyd created history at the World Four-in-hand Championship, held at Beesd (NED) from 03-07 September,2008.

The Championships hosted 59 teams from 20 countries & Boyd won the cone driving phase after a thrilling drive-off in which Boyd managed three double-clear rounds.
Overall Boyd secured the Bronze Medal in the individual competition. This is the highest placing (and the first medal) for an Australian in the history of World Four-in-hand Championships.

Deon Williams (Australian Showjumping Representative at the World Equestrian Games in Rome). Deon & Boyd were in Rome at the same time representing Australia in their respective equestrian disciplines.

Dale Plumb (One of Australia's top Hack Riders)

Amber Fuller (World Cup Showjumper)

Jeff "Poss" Otton (World Cup Showjumper)

Jamie Smith (World Cup Showjumper)

Jamie Grant (Aust Jnr Showjumping Team Rep in South Africa 2003).

Todd Hinde (Australian Junior Showjumping Team Representative in South Africa).

 

Club of the Month Entry - Sept 2008

The Bega Valley is situated on the far south coast of NSW close to the Victorian border. Bega is famous for its cheese & for having the best Pony Club this side of the Milky Way!! (Well we think so!)

The Club currently has 102 members, including non-riding members.

Our riding members range in age from 3 years to Associates, and includes the very inexperienced to state level competitors.

Bega Pony Club celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005 and it would have to be one of the state’s longest continuously running clubs.

Bega Pony Club is well known for its annual four (4) day Camp. The camp is held in the school holidays after the first school term and has been run for over 35 years. There have been up to 150 riders & their mounts camping at the Bega Showground.

This year the camp was held from 16th -19th April and we had just over 100 riders. This was a more manageable number considering that the club provides all meals for the riders & their families for the duration of the camp.

The camp is open to Pony Club members from 7 to 16 years of age who can ride unassisted.

Participants came from all the Zone 14 Pony Clubs, which covers from Milton in the north to Eden in the south, plus other riders from Mallacoota, Cathcart & Canberra Lakes Pony Clubs.

Volunteer instructors from far & wide give freely of their time & expertise to provide instruction in as many of the various equestrian disciplines as can be arranged. This is to allow the riders to experience activities that they may not have previously considered.

This year we covered Jumping Equitation, Horsemanship, Tent-pegging, Camp-drafting, Polo-crosse, Cross Country Jumping, Dressage, Horse Soccer, Show Riding, Horse Presentation, Mounted Games, Novelty & Sporting Events, Handler, Showjumping, Ride to Music, Western Trail Riding & Roping. There was definitely something for everyone!!

The first day of camp everyone arrives, sets up & they are placed into their groups. After lunch all the riders present in full club uniform, with banners, and we hold the annual street parade. This parade heralds the start of camp & has been a much enjoyed part of the camp for both the riders & the local community. The riders leave the Showground in pairs in alphabetical Club order, lead by Bega. The parade travels down the main street, which is also part of the Princes Hwy. One lane is closed off to allow the horses & riders to travel safely. The shop owners, workers & their customers line the street to wave the riders by. It is quite a spectacle especially in recent years as we have been asked to pick up the “pooh” left behind so we have helpers dressed up in animal costumes wielding the shovels & wheelbarrows at the rear!

The next two days the riders rotate through the various instruction groups. The final day culminates in a gymkhana where all those new skills are put to the test.

There are also afternoon activities including our vet talk, whip-cracking school, browband workshop & farrier demonstration. On the Friday night we hold a Talent Quest which is always great fun.

The camp is a wonderful opportunity for the riders from different club’s to get to met & know each other. Groups are made up of riders of similar skill levels but from a mix of clubs. Many lasting friendships are formed which makes zone events in the future that much more enjoyable. This is true not only for the riders but their families as well.

Many of the parents helping to run this year’s camp attended the camp in their youth. There are many great stories over the years – not all of which are suitable for publication!

Another great part of camp this year were the 12 Associates, who had attended camp in their youth, & who came back (some from Canberra & Wollongong in their uni holidays) to help run & instruct at this years camp.

The club also holds a One Day Event & Gymkhana every year.

This year the club has hosted the Zone 14 Showjumping Championships, the Zone 14 Regional Showjumping School & will host the Zone 14 Championship Jamboree at the end of the year.

Bega Pony Club members are strong in most disciplines.

The club has had State level placegetters in:

•    Showjumping (including  State Champion Riders & Champion State Teams )

•    Jumping Equitation (including Champion State Team)

•    Dressage (State Representatives)

•    Sporting  

Some of Bega Pony Club's famous ex-riding members include:

Jamie Coman - Sydney 2000 Olympic Showjumping competitor & Australian National Showjumping Coach 2003 - 2006.

Boyd Excell - World Champion Harness Driver & recent winner of the CAI 4-A International Driving Event at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Boyd has also just created history at the World Four-in-hand Championship, held at Beesd (NED) from 03-07 September 2008. The Championships hosted 59 teams from 20 countries & Boyd won the cone driving phase after a thrilling drive-off in which Boyd managed three double-clear rounds.

Overall Boyd secured the Bronze Medal in the individual competition. This is the highest placing (and the first medal) for an Australian in the history of World Four-in-hand Championships.

Deon Williams - Aust Showjumping Representative at the World Equestrian Games in Rome. Deon & Boyd were in Rome at the same time representing Australia in their respective equestrian disciplines.

Dale Plumb -one of Australia's top Hack riders.

Amber Fuller - World Cup Showjumper.

Jeff "Poss" Otton - World Cup Showjumper.

Jamie Smith - World Cup Showjumper.

Jamie Grant - Australian Junior Showjumping Team Representative in South Africa 2003.

Todd Hinde – Australian Junior Showjumping Team Representative in South Africa.

The club also has its own web-site www.begaponyclub.com.au which is a great communication tool. All our results & lots of photos are posted for everyone to share.

A calendar is maintained & all Pony Club event programs can be accessed & downloaded.