Visiting Pony Club members from Horsham and Charlton attended Donald and District’s June rally, held on Sunday the 15th, to complete a gear checking accreditation course facilitated by Linda Gerring from Maryborough.
It presented a rare opportunity for members from neighbouring clubs to get togther for a meet and greet as well as gain valuable knowledge and credentials for the clubs they represent. The group was extremely privileged to be instructed by Maryborough’s district commissioner, Linda Gerring, who is a Pony Club Victoria Qualified National Gear Checker, and also a PCANCAS Level 1 coach, bringing with her a wealth of pony club knowledge.
Linda’s dedication to continually educate herself to the ever-changing rules and policies, made her the perfect mentor for the program. Though she was the first to admit, “I don’t know everything; I just know where to find the answers.”
Having the resources right there is half the battle and real life examples for perspective made the session incredibly informative. Armed with loads of lived experiences and a power point presentation to keep everyone on track, Linda directed the group through the theory aspect of the course, before taking what was learned outside to practise on real horses.
Earlier in the week, Donald Pony Club members were given the instruction: “Tack up your horses incorrectly, to try catch out the gear checkers.”
They certainly understood the assignment, even bordering on the ridiculous, and much can be said for the gentle temperament and patience of the horses modelling uncomfortable equipment for educational purposes. Not only was incorrect gear pointed out, it was then discussed by the group to learn why it is so important to inspect equipment, paramount for the horse’s comfort and safety of the rider.
After a successfully educational morning came the delicious barbecue lunch, thanks to all volunteers involved for catering to the many guests. With full bellies, instructor Corrie Potter then took a small group of riders to the arena for a lesson, ensuring all horses had incorrect items replaced with the correct and comfortable gear before commencing.
Congratulations to all trainees who passed their gear checker accreditation on the day, and many thanks for your time, effort and distance travelled in the undertaking of the course. Education and advancing skills of members can vastly strengthen their clubs, so thanks must go to Linda Gerring for sharing her knowledge and providing this learning opportunity for some of the smaller more isolated clubs within the Midland zone, your support is greatly appreciated. Well done to all involved!
New official Gear Checkers in the Midland Zone area: Asha Fielder (Horsham and the youngest trainee at 16 years of age), Mia Moloney (Horsham), Charlotte Stewart (Charlton), Carolyn Stewart (Charlton), Melinda McEwen (Donald), Quill McQuilty (Donald), Gemma Pridgeon (Charlton), Corrie Potter (Donald).
The next Donald Pony Club rally will be held on Sunday, July 20 and anyone interested in attending should contact Jill McEwen on 0428 915 269. In the meantime, Charlton’s club will be hosting a “Come and Try” day on July 6. For more information, contact Carolyn Stewart on 0428 927 609.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 24 June 2025.
