On Sunday, March 3 the club will celebrate its 70th birthday, and hopes to attract former members for the celebration.
The Shepparton club is now one of the oldest clubs in existence and the club’s present committee is determined to continue running educational, fun and welcoming rallies and events for members.
The club is now based at the Shepparton Trotting club property in Melbourne Rd, but it has had many venues including Tassiker’s paddock opposite the Shepparton Cemetery, Princess Park, sometimes Hawkins Paddock on Verney Rd and the Shepparton Showgrounds was also used for rallies.
In November, 1964 the Shepparton Trotting Club purchased 40 hectares of land from Chris Howe paying 11,000 pounds (about $20,000).
Later in 1972, a 99-year lease was established for the pony club to utilise the centre of a training track behind the Kialla Trotting track.
Shepparton and District Horse and Pony Club’s first meeting was held in 1953 and run by Robert Long and Janice Craig at the Shepparton Showgrounds, during this meeting the club’s name was chosen and those present elected a committee comprising president Bob Long; secretary Janice Craig; vice-president Noel Spivey; treasurer Dorothy Coldwell and district commissioner Noel Spivey.
Member fees starting at 10 shilling, increasing to a family one pound one shilling, singles five shillings.
During 1954 club members had the honour of providing an escort for Queen Elizabeth II, and in 1966 senior members helped to search the causeway bush for the bodies of the Heywood and Madill murder victims.
Anyone wanting to join or contact the club can email sheppcsec@outlook.com
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