Our history
The first meeting of the Pine Rivers Pony Club was held at Petrie on October 17, 1962. It was known as the Pine Rivers branch of the Town & Country Riding and Pony Club. The first membership fees were set at one pound and one shilling for family and 10 shillings and sixpence for junior members. Grounds were leased from Australian Paper Manufacturers (in Torrens Rd, Petrie) and in 1963 a shed was purchased from A.P.M. and erected on the grounds. The first gymkhana held on the grounds was on Sunday, 24th October, 1965 and was officially opened by D.E. Nicholson M.L.A.
In 1983 the club moved to North Pine Country Park — with membership in excess of 100 riders — and the shed, which had been bought from A.P.M., was relocated on our new grounds. In July 1986 the construction of a new clubhouse was commenced and by November it was completed. It was a great occasion to hold our first trophy presentation in the new buuilding. In September 1987, we celebrated our Silver Jubilee with a barbecue with three of the original members being present.
In 1992 an extension was added to give us a large undercover area and in 1993 an extension was added on the back for the storage of all our equipment. In 2007 a 40ft shipping container was bought to store the tables and chairs and jump wings along with the mower which was purchased with a grant of $21,335 from the Gambling and Community Benefit Fund.
In 2001 the club purchased a computer with a scoring programme for scoring at competition days as well as for use by the secretary. Additional funds were also secured to buy equipment to make the volunteers work easier. This included an extremely useful photocopier, two way radios, a fax machine, cash register, pressure cleaner, sun shades, high stools, freezer and food processor. In 2002 we celebrated our 40th Anniversary with 145 past and present members attending a dinner on the 31st August.
In 2007 we received another volunteers’ grant and were able to purchase a new fridge, extra tables and chairs, a laminator and a guillotine.
Members of our club loaned horses to the Calgary Show-riders in 1995 for them to put on two performances at the Pine Rivers Show. Pine Rivers Pony Club also organizes the pony club events on the Sunday of the Pine Show, in 2006 the pony club events changed to the Saturday of the show.
Over the years twenty people have been made Life Members of the club. 1994 saw the passing of Life Member and founding President, Jack Ambler. In 2005 life member, Agnes Gilligan lost her battle with cancer and will be remembered in future years with a Perpetual Trophy in memory of her. In 2007 we commemorated the passing of life member Dorothy Duncombe.
The aims of the Pony Club movement are to teach horsemanship, horsemastership and sportsmanship. New members are always welcome. Our club has a page on Facebook, and any of the contacts listed within this site are more than happy to be contacted for information.
Over the years many Easter camps have been held, in the early days at Woodford Showgrounds and a property at Highdale, and for over 20 years at Doug Dohle’s property at Mt Stanley. The club also participated in the Anzac Day march for well over 20 years.
Many girls from Pine Rivers have supported the PCAQ Personality Quest, which raises money for the Riding for Disabled Association.
The club holds their Official Showjumping on the Sunday of the Queens Birthday long week-end in June and our Annual Gymkhana on the Monday. The Hyde Brothers Perpetual Trophy — donated in memory of the family who originally owned and farmed the land — is presented to the winning club at the gymkhana.
