Pony Club Australia, Media Release, 24 February 2021
Source: Pony Club Australia
Pony Club has been in Australia for more than 80 years, but faces increasing competition from many other sports, particularly among males.
“In one of the few sports where men and women, and boys and girls, compete against each other, Pony Clubs often have more female members than male, particularly at grass roots level,” CEO of Pony Club Australia (PCA) Dr Catherine Ainsworth said. “At the higher levels, boys who stay on are equally as successful as the girls.”
PCA conducted a survey to find out what boys (Pony Club members and non-members) like and don’t like about Pony Club, or any obstacles they face to join a Pony Club. The key issues influencing males joining and staying are attached.
Source: Pony Club Australia
“We are sharing the results with our 800 Clubs around Australia to help them look at ways to attract – and keep – male riders,” Dr Ainsworth added.
Dr Ainsworth said these days riders at many clubs can participate in polocrosse, tentpegging, tetrathlon (riding, swimming, shooting, running), vaulting and campdrafting.
Read the full media release with the survey results below here:
