By Callum Ludwig
Many kids dream of owning and riding their own horse, but the reality is that it’s usually an expensive sport and out of reach for many families.
However, the Upper Yarra Pony Club’s recent adoption of a Riders Without Horses (RWH) membership aims to open up the pastime to many more young riders.
District commissioner Anita Prowse said the decision to implement came as the current financial climate for people isn’t great.
“Given what has happened over the last couple of years and is still happening in a lot of places, I think that kids that don’t have the opportunity to have their own horses, whether it be financial or family situations or simply aren’t allowed to, it certainly doesn’t mean that they’re not going to be talented or as keen as ones that have,” she said.
“It’s an opportunity for everybody to have a go and there’s the social aspect of being away from their normal school friends and expanding their social circles a little bit with other kids that enjoy the same things.”
The RWH membership is open to all ages between 5 and 17, with rallies on the first Sunday of every month at Wesburn Park run under Pony Club Victoria rules and regulations.
Ms Prowse said the membership goes through all of the steps of any other pony club membership.
“It’s all done very safely and with a lot of hands-on help at the start, so then they can progress from the theory-based sessions on looking after the animal in every aspect, to the riding sessions and the rallies,” she said.
“It’s an eye opener for people on what it would be like to have their own horse who have never experienced it, we’ve got kids that have ridden before but can’t afford their own horses to those who are completely new.”
Members will learn the basics of horsemastership, care, feeding and first aid as part of their sessions.
Ms Prowse said there has been heaps of interest in the program.
“We’ve had heaps of interest from all over the place, it actually quite surprised me,” she said.
“I’m sure it could lead on further if kids stick with it and are really committed to it, especially if we can train them to a standard that they can get sponsorship. I think especially the younger kids, such as the 12 to 14-year-old girls range, who have done it pretty tough through lockdown, probably more so than other age groups could really enjoy it.”
The signup, introductions and set-up for RWH members is at 9.30am at Wesburn Park Pony Club rooms on Sunday 4 September.
All enquiries can go to Anita Prowse at 0409 953 345 or email anita.horses@gmail.com.
