PONY CLUB: The Warwick Hack and Pony Club will have the welcoming gate open to current and new members at the Warwick Showgrounds on Sunday.

The pony club will launch its 2017 year with the first of its monthly rallies.

Club secretary Michelle O'Shea said her daughter Bridie started pony club at the age of three.

"Young children can come along as soon as they can ride a horse,” O'Shea said.

"The inexperienced riders are led around their events by a parent.

"It doesn't matter what level riders are at, they still have an opportunity to have a go at every event on a rally day.

"Older children who haven't ridden much are welcome to come along. Riders can join up to the age of 26.

"We had a couple of girls join last year who only walked their horse before they came along to pony club but by the end of the year they were cantering their horse and doing well in all events.”

Pony club is not just about riding as the club organises experts like vets and farriers who pass on helpful hints along with the regular instructors.

The club organises a mix of events on rally days ranging from dressage to showjumping, sporting events, mounted games and flat work.

At some rallies, the club will arrange for a professional coach to help out the instructors and the riders.

The Warwick club has its own mechanical cow which the members work by remote control up and

down a fence while riding their horses.

At times during the year, guest instructors attend club rallies to introduce the members to polocrosse, cross country and other disciplines.

Warwick club members regularly travel to gymkhanas hosted by clubs as far away as Toowoomba, Stanthorpe, Dalby, Oakey, Millmerran and closer centres.

Each year, the Warwick club has a camp in the September/October school holidays which is open to riders from all pony clubs in the region.

Riders have the opportunity to compete at zone and state level.

Some riders in past years have gone on to compete at national level but many riders are happy just to attend monthly rallies.

All welcome from 8.30am Sunday to compete or seek information on the club.

Information on the club from Michelle O'Shea on 0428197859.