By Elizabeth Kovacs

As the Canberra Riding Club’s Pony Club celebrates 65 years, its future in Lyneham is in doubt as the ACT government eyes housing development around the racecourse precinct.

One of the oldest of 14 pony clubs around Canberra, the club says it is facing “an onslaught of existential crises, from rising lease rates to potential land redevelopment, which cast a shadow on [its] future.”

Located at the corner of Randwick Road and Barton Highway, the club is entirely operated by volunteers who maintain the facilities, run training days and organise events. 

“It’s all through us,” says chief instructor of Canberra Riding Club Pony Club, 32-year-old Franny Barnard.

“Whereas other sports have the support of the grounds being managed by the ACT government [we don’t].”

The club pays to lease the area, hosting events – such as its annual gala – to help raise funds to keep it in the heart of Canberra.

It was nationally recognised as the Australian Pony Club of the Year in 2023. 

“We hope the award… publicly demonstrates to the ACT government the valuable contribution CRC Pony Club makes to sport, recreation and wellbeing in the Canberra community,” says club president Sally McRae.

“Ongoing government support is vital to allow us to renew our lease and continue to develop facilities for our ever-expanding club.” 

The club says it provides significant benefits to the community by supporting youth mental health and neurodiverse members, and increasing women’s participation in sport. 

Despite the possibility of losing its facilities to housing development, Franny is confident in the club’s future. 

“I was at the 50th anniversary when I was a kid and I ran the 60th anniversary a few years ago,” she says.

“I have full confidence in the life of this club.”

Although in conversation with the government about retaining their current location, Franny says that relocation, although tricky, won’t threaten their existence. 

The club’s swelling numbers – 75 and rising – are a credit to Franny and her team of volunteers’ work in creating a space for riders of all ages and experiences. 

“It’s a safe place to start,” says Franny.

“We are not only coaching skills. We’re also helping kids with confidence and mindset and overcoming fears.”

“It’s not only the kids, it’s the horses, too.”

Franny says its continued success is due to the welcoming environment. 

“It’s a very screen-dominated and indoor life that we’re all having, and lots of families are seeing the impacts of not being able to get out to do exercise and have fun,” she says. 

“That’s what Pony Club is all about.

“You’re out, you’re getting dirty, you’re getting the sun and vitamin D.”

Franny, accompanied by Freya, 14; Tilly 12 and Maddy, 14, work with their horses every week doing jobs ranging from dressage preparation and jumping to the less glamorous mucking out of stalls. 

“The first stereotype [that needs to] break is that horses could ever be considered a ‘hobby’, ”says Franny. 

“You don’t just ride horses,” says Freya.

“You have to take care of them, feed them. You’re always out doing something with them. It’s not just riding.” 

Franny has three horses and credits the club for her knowledge and passion. 

“I’m paying it forward by making the club the happiest place it can be for the next generation of riders,” she says.

“I especially enjoy working with the kids on their riding goals and passing on my hard-earned knowledge about riding, horse care and competition.

“I hope to keep the pony club dream alive by providing happy, life-changing experiences that they will cherish, like I do.” 

For Freya, the club has been a ‘lifeline”. She says she had struggled to find a place in a sporting community before discovering CRC.

“It’s changed how I think about sports,” she says.

“[I] don’t always need to be comparing myself to others. It’s a slow journey to get to be a really confident, strong rider.”

Maddy says: “We’re a team. It’s a community behind individuals.

“I would love to be a coach here. It’s such a great community to be part of.

“If you ever feel like you’re lost in the horse world or you’re overthinking everything, you can always come back to pony club.”