Pony clubs offering horse archery in bid to target more boys

SA pony clubs want more boys to sign up to address a big gender gap. Could training a new generation of Robin Hoods be the answer?

Horse archery is the dynamic new sport targeting boys to join pony clubs.

With pony clubs dominated by female members, horse archery is seen as an exciting enticement to saddle up.

Next month, trainers from across SA’s 48 pony clubs will be instructed on how to teach the discipline by horse archery experts.

Former top jockey Clare Lindop said pony clubs were considered the “kindergartens” of equestrian and thoroughbred racing and where future jockeys, trainers, Olympians, racing officials and stable hands began.

“It’s been phenomenal to see the growth and accomplishments of females in equestrian sport, especially as I know how hard it is to compete at the top level,” said Ms Lindop, Racing SA’s industry, development and training officer.

The Australian Pony Club association has 20,000 riders throughout Australia, and about 85% of these are female and 15% male, so they’re crying out for boys. Former top jockey, Clare Lindop with Onkaparinga Pony Club member Jett Donoghue, 10 on his pony Lulu. Picture Dean Martin

“However, it’s also vital to engage and encourage young men to stay in our sport too by setting new challenges.

“Careers with horses are predominantly outdoors, good for physical and mental health,” she said.

Jett Donoghue, 10, from the Hills, has his eyes set on a career in show jumping like his grandfather Ron Donoghue.

Clare Lindop, aged 11, show jumping with Annie at the Warrnambool Pony Club in the early 1990s.

Jett is a member of the Onkaparinga Pony Club and has been riding since age two.

“I like meeting friends and being friends with your ponies (and it’s) where you can do fun activities and have a laugh (and there are) opportunities of fun jumping courses and novelties like archery,” said Jett.

In SA, there are 692 pony club riders aged from under 10 to over 60. But, only 9.7 per cent of them are male.

Pony Club Australia CEO Dr Catherine Ainsworth said pony clubs across Australia offered many opportunities for boys to join, including new, exciting sports like horse archery and long-time favourites such as mounted games, campdrafting, polocrosse, tent-pegging and showjumping.

She said many of these can lead to national and international competition, including the Olympics.

Horse archery is a modern sport on the rise that involves riding a horse along a straight or curved track, while the rider loads arrows into a bow and takes several shots at targets along the track at walk, trot, canter or gallop.

For more information visit www.ponyclub.asn.au