Equine flu bug hits pony clubs

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 also put out a joint statement on Wednesday warning against any horse gatherings.
Upper Yarra Pony Club members Brooke Mitchener, 14 of Yellingbo and Allysse Smith, 13 of Seville East, say they have worked all year to qualify for a berth at Royal Melbourne and are devastated.
“When I heard I just couldn’t believe it,” said Brooke who had qualified for the open rider class. “All the hard work we’ve put in is just going to waste … it’s devastating.”
For Allysse this year’s show was her only opportunity to compete in the prestigious “Good Hands” event which is being removed from the RAS schedule.
Brooke’s mother, Kylie Mitchener said the girls had earned their chance to compete and it was terribly disappointing.
“You travel all around Victoria and New South Wales to qualify and they’re out there in the middle of winter in their gum boots, in the freezing cold. They ride all year for this. It’s pretty hard on them.”
It’s not only the riders who are feeling left out in the cold though.
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 Lillydale 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 affected, 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.”