2025 Pony Club Australia National Championships:

The 2025 Ranvet Pony Club Australia National Championships, hosted by Pony Club Australia and held from October 1 to 5 at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre in Victoria, brought together over 300 talented young riders from across Australia for an exhilarating five days of competition, education, and celebration. The event rotated to Victoria as the host state, where Pony Club Australia organised the proceedings, and the Victorian team excelled, securing the prestigious Roger Braham OAM Perpetual Trophy for the Champion State Team. This victory highlighted the depth of talent within Pony Club Victoria (PCV), with strong performances across multiple disciplines amid a spirit of camaraderie and equestrian excellence.

The championships featured seven core disciplines: Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, Mounted Games, Quiz, Tetrathlon, and the host state's wildcard event, Formal Gymkhana. Riders qualified through rigorous state-level selections, including previous performances, rally attendance, and endorsements, ensuring only the best represented their teams. Additional highlights included educational sessions on equine care, nightly entertainment like a Polocrosse exhibition and Hobby Horse Championship, and the Inter Pacific Exchange showjumping challenge with international teams. The event culminated in the Annual Awards Dinner, where achievements were honoured, including the Roger Braham Shield presentation.

Victorian Team's Stellar Performance

Team Victoria, captained by Madeleine Manton and Darcy Wade, delivered an outstanding overall performance to claim the top state honours. With a large contingent of riders selected across all disciplines, PCV's preparation paid off handsomely. The team's success was built on months of dedication, including a key selection day on July 13 at Ballarat Pony Club, where horse-rider combinations were evaluated under PCA rules.

In Dressage, Victorian riders excelled, with notable contributions from the Sub-Junior, Junior, Senior, and Open teams. Standout performer Brianna Ballesty from Loreto College Ballarat placed 1st and 4th in her riding phases, securing 2nd overall in her Dressage division. She also helped her team to 2nd place in Formal Gymkhana and earned 3rd overall in the Quiz competition. Adding to her accolades, Brianna received the inaugural National Welfare & Soundness Award for her exemplary horse management practices, including hoof health, nutrition, and wellbeing monitoring.

Other disciplines saw strong showings too. In Show Jumping, riders like Ava Harrington and Darcy Wade competed fiercely in Open and Senior categories. Eventing featured talents such as Darcy Macaulay and Amy Slocombe in the Open team, while Tetrathlon included mixed-gender teams with performers like Finley Hiscock and Xanthe Wade. Mounted Games and Gymkhana rounds were particularly exciting, with the Formal Gymkhana serving as a fitting finale to the event. Although full individual results across all states highlight competitive fields—such as Queensland's strong team—Victoria didn't sweep every category, but their consistent podium finishes propelled them to overall victory.

The Vital Role of Volunteers

No major equestrian event succeeds without the tireless efforts of volunteers, and the 2025 Nationals were no exception. Hosted by Pony Club Australia, the event relied on a dedicated army of volunteers from across the country, including significant contributions from PCV members, parents, coaches, and community supporters.

Pony Club Victoria acknowledged key contributors, including coaches like Simone James (Dressage), Kirrilee Hosier (Eventing), Darcy Wade (Tetrathlon), Dan Foster (Games), Jo Brennan (quiz)  Bianca Hurmez (Formal Gymkhana) and Shelly McRae (Show Jumping). Along side our wonderful Team Managers, Selectors, parents and staff. These individuals not only prepared teams but also volunteered their expertise to foster young talent. 

The Annual Awards Dinner celebrated "Volunteer of the Year" recipients, recognising the unsung heroes who make Pony Club events possible nationwide. The event emphasised community involvement, drawing praise for its inclusive atmosphere.

In summary, Victoria's championship win as the home state, bolstered by exceptional individual efforts and volunteer dedication, sets a high bar for future events. As Pony Club Australia continues to nurture the next generation of equestrians, this nationals will be remembered as a milestone in equestrian history.