Pony clubs hit

By Kath Gannaway
THE equine flu bug is taking casualties in the Yarra Valley.
While the horse racing industry has welcomed news that spring racing will go ahead – albeit under strict controls, recreational riders, and the myriad of businesses which flow from the lesser-profile industry, have not fared so well.
News last week that the Royal Melbourne Show equestrian events had been cancelled, and calls from equestrian organisations for a moratorium on any form of horse events during September, sealed the fate of riders who had qualified for the show, and put a stop to some high-profile local events.
Following advice from the Department of Primary Industry the Equestrian Federation of Australia – Victoria, Horse Riding Club Association of Victoria, the Pony Club Association of Victoria and Victorian Agricultural Shows Inc also put out a joint statement on Wednesday warning against any horse gatherings.
Yarra Glen’s Brook Dobbin was just hours away from leaving for the Adelaide Show last week when the news came through that it also had been cancelled.
“The royal shows are the pinnacle, they’re the events you train all year to go to,” said Mr Dobbin who was set to compete in the qualifiers at both shows for a berth in next year’s World Cup.
“We get 14 qualifiers a year and every one of the counts. What happens now, we don’t know,” he said.
The accolades and successes are not purely “recreational” for Mr Dobbin who also gives lessons, and trains and sells horses.
“It’s a profession for us. We need to be able to go to the shows to sell our hoses and promote ourselves to give lessons.
“If you’re not out there competing nobody knows who you are,” he said.
It’s not only the show competitors who are feeling the pressure.
The lock-down has had a roll-on effect on small businesses from rug and saddle makers to horse float operators and the highly specialised show outfitters.
Coldstream horse-float operators Julie Meerman of Eclipse Equine Chauffers and Tony Sayers of Coldstream Float and Trailer told the Mail business stopped overnight once the lock-down was announced almost two weeks ago.
“My little business has just dissolved,” said Mrs Meerman who runs a two-horse float and four wheel drive as a taxi service for horses.
“I do a lot of moving horses between paddocks but nobody is going anywhere or doing anything,” she said.
Mr Sayers said business was almost non-existent.
“You expect this to be a busy time with pony club and other events but everyone has cancelled.”
Sales of new floats and repairs have also dropped off.
Nadine Wood, club administrator with the Yarra Valley and Lilydale Hunt Club had to cancel its weekend hunt and pony club events are also off limits.
“It all equates to income for us, but it’s not just the monetary side of it that is effected, it’s the social side,” Ms Wood said.
“We had a team going in the hunter class at the show. It’s a lot of effort and work that won’t be rewarded now. It’s disappointing, but it’s nobody’s fault, they’re right in playing it safe.”