Spots: Two Australian Spotted Ponies, the yearling filly Bonnie (front) and two-year-old Luna (back). Luna is being trained from the ground up by Karen Brown’s young daughter. “I asked her if she’d trained today with Luna and she said ‘yeah I went riding with her’. I was shocked, but that’s why I love the breed, they’re not super reactive and would let a child go up and climb on them.”
Photo by
Daneka Hill
They’re colourful, compact and child-friendly.
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On March 12 and 13, some of the best Appaloosa and Australian Spotted Ponies in the country will converge on Elmore for the national and state show.
Organiser and Appaloosa and Australian Spotted Pony Incorporated president John Davis said the double-show event would also act as a belated 50th anniversary for the club.
“We’ll be running a special veterans class to try and get those older ponies back out,” Mr Davis said.
“I’ve got a few older ponies kicking around myself, including a 28-year-old stallion (King) who hasn’t been shown in awhile, but I’m thinking of bringing him so people can have a look.”
Veteran: The 28-year-old Tya Kingston (King) will be competing in the veterans class. Before being purchased by John Davis he spent 10 years sitting in a paddock alone. Once the dust was knocked off, he went on to win nearly every show he attended thanks to an incredibly sweet nature. King is still an active sire and highly valued for his old, imported bloodlines.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
Karen Brown from Tongala will bring a team of five ponies to the show.
She picked up her passion for Australian Spotted Ponies from her father, Mr Davis.
“I grew up when he was showing them and I remember how massive the pony societies used to be,” Ms Brown said.
“Then a lot of people stopped, I don’t know if it was the recession or what.
“When Dad returned to the ponies a few years ago there were very few big ponies left — all you had were Shetlands and the sort.
“I love the Spotted Ponies. You can start your kids on them but the average adult can ride them, too.
“One of our mares does barrel racing and pleasure riding for my daughter.”
Pony for all seasons: Davilair Dash’s Dancer is currently an expectant mother, but normally she’s the barrel racer and all-around athlete for Karen Brown’s daughter.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
Ms Brown said the ideal Australian Spotted Pony was colourful, gentle, under 14 hands and non-reactive.
A week out from the Elmore show there were 30 entrants signed on, but Mr Davis expects a few late entries.
“There could be a few more because of all the flooding in Sydney. There was meant to be a show on the weekend (March 5 and 6) but it might get rained out,” he said.
Show pony: Yearling filly Davilair Bonita will be part of the Brown family’s five-pony team attending Elmore on March 12.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
There are about 100 classes involved in the show, including: harness riding, halter classes, colour class, riding class (pleasure and reigning) and trail, where riders have to navigate an obstacle course.
The national and state shows will be held on Saturday, March 12, while Sunday, March 13 has been reserved as a ‘fun day’ with riding games for the kids.
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