Motueka Pony Club riders will soon be able to train and compete closer to home after receiving a $60,000 grant from New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) to build a new cross-country course and buy uniforms.
The funding will help create a safe, progressive training environment for riders across the top of the South Island, while supporting the club's growing membership and competition programme.
Club president Rebecca Palmer says the grant will have a significant impact on both the club and the wider equestrian community.
“This funding will make a significant difference to our club and the wider equestrian community. It gives riders a dedicated place to practise, progress and prepare for competition, while helping us bring more equestrian activity to Motueka.
“As a volunteer-run club, projects of this scale would simply not be possible without the generous support of organisations such as NZCT. It will enable us to offer practice and competition opportunities for riders from across the region, particularly the top of the South Island, as well as eventing competitions and training for both local and national riders.”
Motueka Pony Club has 26 registered riders and continues to grow through the efforts of its members, volunteers and supporters.
Beyond riding, the club helps young people develop resilience, responsibility and confidence through learning horse welfare, pasture management, teamwork and perseverance.
While many pony clubs face challenges attracting and retaining members as urban areas expand, Motueka Pony Club is bucking the trend, with riders travelling from across the region to attend monthly rallies and competitions.
Hunter Russell, 13, says the new course will help riders build confidence.
“Cross country is my favourite thing to do on my horse so it’s really cool that we will get to do that at pony club now and I can get more confident.”
Millie Fellowes, 18, says the project will create new opportunities for local riders.
“This is an exciting and amazing opportunity for us to improve our riding, challenge ourselves and have fun with our ponies and friends! On behalf of all the kids at Motueka PC we are so grateful for the support and looking forward to seeing it take shape.”
Celia Davis, 18, says the course will fill a gap in the region's equestrian facilities.
“I’ve attended Mot Pony Club for over ten years. It’s an awesome club and I am the rider I am today because of the coaching and experiences I’ve had from this organisation. I’m a competitive eventing rider but find it frustrating that we don’t have any cross-country courses 95cm+ in the region. I often find myself travelling to Christchurch to train and compete. I know this funding and new training jumps will enable our riders to work their way up the levels! Big thank you to NZCT for this opportunity for Motueka to build a cross-country course at Marchwood Park!”
Motueka district commissioner Ingrid Cole says the facility will benefit riders throughout Nelson Tasman.
“We are one of five pony clubs in the Nelson/Tasman Region, none of which have a safe accessible cross-country course year-round. This NZCT grant will allow us to make a full portable cross-country course for our club and the region. It also means we won't have to travel to Marlborough or Canterbury for training anymore.”
NZCT general manager of grants, marketing and communications Ben Hodges says the investment will support generations of riders.
“Equestrian sports have been a passion among young people in Motueka for generations, so we're delighted to provide cross-country infrastructure that will benefit the community for years to come. This investment is made possible through NZCT's partnership with Hotel Motueka, whose gaming room funds community good across the region.”
