Pony Club Victoria Annual Awards 2025/26

Nominations for the 2025/26 Annual Awards are now open!

The Pony Club Victoria (PCV) Annual Awards recognise riders, coaches, officials, supporters, and volunteers for their achievements and contributions to the development of Pony Club. Pony Club Victoria is committed to educating riders in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. PCV offers a diverse range of disciplines and supports members to reach their full potential.

The success of our organisation relies on the dedication and capability of our coaches, officials, volunteers, supporters, and clubs. Recognising excellence, achievement, and service is an essential part of our culture.

You can submit your nominations HERE. Nominations will close on the 30th June.

Keep in mind the Award of Merits – this is a great time to start to select candidates from your club. Award of Merit nominations need to be submitted to Zones prior to the 30th June.

This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to our community.

Annual Awards Guidelines 2025–2026

Award Categories

The following awards are presented annually:

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 12 Years and Under*
Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 13–17 Years*
Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 18–25 Years*
Best Achievement by a Rider Over 25 Years*
Volunteer of the Year
Miss Kay Irving Coach of the Year
Young Coach of the Year (30 Years and Under*)
Club of the Year
Pony Club Victoria Alumnus Award
The Off The Track Performance Horse of the Year (New)
The Off The Track Heart Horse of the Year (New)
Scootboot Soundness & Welfare Award (New)

* Age is assessed as at 1 January 2025

One award will be presented in each category annually.

Nomination Process

Each nomination must include a written submission outlining why the nominee should be considered.
All assessment criteria are equally weighted.
Nominations must be submitted electronically via the following link:
- https://form.jotform.com/PonyClubAust/-pony-club-victoria-2025-awards-nom
Nominations should focus on the nominee’s activities during the preceding 12–18 months.
Closing date for nominations 30th June 2026

Selection Process

Nominations will be reviewed by a judging panel appointed by Pony Club Victoria.The panel may choose not to present an award in any category if no nomination is deemed to be of sufficient merit.

Prizes

Winners of each award will receive:

An inscribed trophy
Prizes generously donated by the category sponsor and Pony Club Victoria

Announcement

Award recipients will be announced at an in‑person event. Event details to be advised.

Key Contact

For further information or assistance with nominations, please contact:

📧 office@ponyclubvic.org.au📞 (03) 8685 8925

Award Categories & Selection Criteria

Each winner will receive a generous prize from our sponsors and partners. Pony Club Victoria will present each rider award recipient with an inscribed trophy and embroidered vest. All finalists will receive a certificate.

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 12 Years and Under

Selection Criteria:

Participation in Pony Club rallies and activities
Riding achievements and completion of Pony Club proficiency certificates
Demonstrated partnership with and care for their pony

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 13–17 Years

Selection Criteria:

Participation in Pony Club rallies and activities
Improvement in riding and leadership skills through diligence and effort
Club citizenship (e.g. helpfulness, teamwork, and support of others)

Best Achievement by a Rider Aged 18–25 Years

Selection Criteria:

Participation in Pony Club rallies and activities
Improvement in riding and leadership skills through diligence and effort
Contribution to club or zone management and programs

Best Achievement by an Adult Rider (Over 25 Years)

Selection Criteria:

Participation in Pony Club rallies and activities
Demonstrated enthusiasm and improvement in riding and horse management, including application of the PCA syllabus
Contribution to their local club and Pony Club activities

Scootboot Soundness & Welfare Award (New)

This award celebrates members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their horse’s soundness and welfare—on the ground, under saddle, and in everyday decision‑making. It recognises education, thoughtful horse management, and positive leadership.

Selection Criteria:

1. Certification and Education

Highest Pony Club Proficiency Certificate achieved
Relevant workshops or education attended relating to hoof care, soundness, or horse welfare
How learning is applied in daily horse care or riding practices

2. Horse Management & Hoof Care

Description of the horse’s regular hoof care routine (e.g. trimming, shoeing, hoof boots)
Management of any soundness or hoof challenges
Upload one photo showing hooves or hoof boots in use

3. Welfare‑First Riding Decisions

Example of a decision made to prioritise horse welfare (e.g. modifying training, withdrawing from competition)
Horse preparation and care before and after riding

4. Leadership and Impact

Support provided to others in the club or zone regarding welfare or hoof care
How others would describe the nominee’s horsemanship
Letter of support from a club official, coach, or instructor

Volunteer of the Year

Open to helpers, administrators, club office holders, and officials.

Selection Criteria:

Demonstrates Pony Club values of integrity, respect, responsibility, inclusivity, and horse welfare
Makes a meaningful contribution to club development and member experience
Supports professionalism, safety, and sustainability of club operations

Young Coach of the Year (30 Years and Under)

Selection Criteria:

Contribution to the development of contemporary Pony Club coaching programs
Commitment to coaching excellence and professional development through the PCA National Coaching Accreditation Program
Innovation in rally programs or lesson design to increase engagement
Positive feedback from students and peers

Miss Kay Irving Award (Coach of the Year)

Selection Criteria:

Contribution to the development of the Pony Club coaching program
Commitment to professional coaching standards through PCA accreditation
Contribution to club, zone, or state coaching programs

Club of the Year

Selection Criteria:

Initiatives to attract and retain members in an inclusive and supportive environment
Strong governance practices including safety, member protection, and succession planning
Innovation in club management, including sponsorship, financial management, and use of digital systems
Delivery of the Pony Club syllabus and demonstrated member and coach achievements.

PCV Alumnus Award

This award recognises a current or former Pony Club member aged over 25 who has become an active contributor to the horse industry and a positive ambassador for Pony Club.

Selection Criteria:

Career achievements and professional profile
Contribution to the broader horse industry
Ongoing connection to Pony Club, past or present

Off The Track Annual Awards (NEW)

The Off The Track Performance Horse of the Year

The OTT Performance Horse of the year is awarded for the best performed OTT of the year to be judged on a cumulative performance over the State Championship Events during 2025/2026 season.

The Off The Track Heart Horse of the Year

The OTT Heart Horse of the year award is seeking nominations for an OTT that has shown versatility and overcome challenges, shown improvement and/or provided the rider with positive development during the 2025/2026 season. Recipient to invite submissions of stories and provide to Racing Victoria. To be judged by the RV Welfare team.

Our Heart Horse of the year does not have to be a performance horse.

We are looking for our versatile Pony Club Mount with a heart to teach riders.

Other Awards

AWARD OF MERIT

The Award of Merit is the highest service award for Pony Club Victoria members aged at least 19 years and not older than 26 years, at the time of nomination for the award.

Service means carrying out tasks that benefit the club, its members and perhaps the wider community. Service does not include riding ability or competing in teams.

The nominee may receive the award once only.

To be considered worthy of nomination for this award, the nominee must have:

Been a riding or non-riding member of a pony club for at least three years and attended rallies as often as possible during that time.
Always been helpful, considerate and courteous to all involved with the pony club
Always presented and conducted themselves in an exemplary manner.
Completed outstanding service (as defined above at the least), to the club for a minimum of two years.
Current PCV membership.

Each year, PCV will request clubs to submit nominations to their zone.

The zones set their own closing date; however, zone nominations must reach the PCV Office by 30 June.

All applications to zone (accepted & rejected) must be submitted to the PCV Office for consideration by the Board.

See Nomination Form: Annual Awards – Pony Club Victoria

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award is for a person who has given distinguished service to the Pony Club® movement, but not in the same category as that required for PCV life membership.

The award may be granted to persons who have given distinguished service at state or zone level.

The criteria for the Distinguished Service Award is:

Consistent and sustained contribution at zone and state levels for a minimum of ten years.
Must have held office at club or zone level.
Must respect the aims and objectives of the pony club movement.
Remain objective and unbiased in all circumstances.
Have the ability to communicate with all pony club members and other personnel.
Display appropriate presentation at all activities.

PCV Board members, members of PCV committees and Zone committees may recommend nominees to the PCV Board.

Nominees are to be received by the PCV office by the 30 June each year. All nominees will be tabled to the Board.

PONY CLUB VICTORIA LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARD

Life Membership is the highest award PCV can bestow for service.

A nominee must have:

Provided outstanding, active and continuous service, which contribution and commitment should be obvious to others involved with PCV,
Been an exemplary representative and ambassador for the organisation on all occasions,
Served as a state and/or as one of its sub-committee members, for at least ten years and preferably longer, five of which must have been as a state councillor, and
Carried out their duties in a competent and efficient manner.

Board members, PCV Committee members and Zone office bearers may recommend nominees to the PCV Board by 31 July.

All applications need to be submitted to the PCV office, and will be tabled with the Board.

OTHER AWARDS (CLUBS & ZONES)

Clubs and zones may award Life Membership to their organisation.

Clubs and zones may also introduce other awards of achievement and/or recognition as they choose.

Please contact your specific club or zone for more information.

For further information or assistance with nominations, please contact:

office@ponyclubvic.org.au

(03) 8685 8925