The Upper Murray Pony Club (UMPC) made a well received return to Corryong on Sunday, holding its first rally day since the 2019-2020 bushfires and having recently relocated from Tintaldra to the Corryong Recreation Reserve.

Club president and Chief Instructor, Heidi Walton, declared the day a huge success with five junior and four adult riders completing the day’s activities.

“Today was about getting to know the riders and starting with the basics ahead of planning for future sessions,” she said.

Beyond the riders there were plenty of fence sitters keen to see what pony club had to offer including two families who are signing their kids up ahead of the next rally.

Club secretary and treasurer, Kerryn Jackson, was encouraged by the attendance following a tough couple of years.

“Getting pony club back to Corryong and active participation from the community were our priorities,” she said.

“We signed up six new members and completed paperwork for a further five ahead of the next planned rally day.

“Off the back of the annual bush festival, Corryong Campdraft and of course the football, netball and golf that all use the precinct, having these horse facilities being used on a regular basis is a great thing for the town,” Kerryn added.

The UMPC believes it too can be a big contributor to the recreation reserve and has recently received seed funding to explore the feasibility of establishing its own clubrooms, storage facility and Olympic sized arena.

“The plan is supported by the bush festival board which will work with the pony club in line with its current funded project for new shower and toilet facilities in the recreation reserve and competitors camping area,” said festival chair, Cameron Jackson. The pony club welcomes riders from ages 3 to 85 to come along and have a go.

“Recent changes have opened up what pony club can offer with future rally days to include cattle handling, time trials, cross country, obstacle course, camp drafting and more, all utilising the facilities available at Corryong Recreation Reserve,” Kerryn said.

“The Stockman’s Challenge training weekend for riders aged 10 through 17 will be also be back on the June long weekend in 2023 along with the Tom Groggin Camp later in the year, which will include a variety of activities and some High Country riding in the footsteps of Jack Riley.”

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 9 March 2023.