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Writer's pictureFran Cleland

Fun and games while learning skills for life


ABOVE: Kiara Radke of Horsham Pony Club competing on Conomos Checkmate. Picture: JASMINE LEE

THE Midland zone of Victoria’s Pony Clubs has held its qualifying events for the Miss Kay Irving State Games, Flat, Musical and Pairs Championships at Charlton Pony Club grounds.


The Midland zone covers a vast area and is home to 17 pony clubs ranging from Horsham across to Charlton, down to Harcourt and through to Beaufort. “Riders of all ages and abilities had a wonderful time. Team spirit was alive and well. Fun and laughter were the order of the day,” event organiser Sue Foley said. The championship finals will be held at Woodlands Pony Club (formerly Tullamarine Pony Club) near Tullamarine airport on Saturday, June 25, while the Flat and Musical rides will be held on Sunday June 26.


ABOVE: Zarielle Marsh from Maldon Pony Club. Picture: JASMINE LEE

In the games section the Bealiba Club’s A team of Victoria Heywood, Nicole Catto, Maddy Jackson, Leah Haworth Charlotte Stewart and May Edwards-Perry starred taking first place.


In second place was Bealiba B team, comprising Zeva Missen, Olive Ferguson, Lilly Jackson, Mackenzie Meyer, Charli Catto and Tallyah Allison, with Maldon club’s Shaylah Lister, Tiffany Williams, Milhani Taylor, Sophie Burke, Maddison Drohan and Maggie Warmsley close on their heels.


Bealiba was also the winner in the flat riding, pairs and musical ride section with the Sister Act Team of Olivia Jardine and Lilly Jackson finishing ahead of the Bealiba Babes, Nicole Catto and Zeva Missen.


The much-loved head coach Kay Irving is remembered by Victorian pony clubbers through the annual Pony Club Association of Victoria Kay Irving memorial games.


It includes state games, including postman’s chase, two mug shuffle relay, stick pegging relay, ball and cone race, sock and bucket relay and flag and drum relay plus teams of flat and musical rides.


Known simply as “Miss K” by generations of riders, the former silver-haired chief instructor consistently stressed pony club was not a riding academy but a youth organisation to train children to become co-operative and contributing members of the community.


ABOVE: Natalie Marshall and Danah Burton of Ararat Pony Club. Picture: JASMINE LEE

More images from this event at Jasmine Lee Photography

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