OUTSTANDING EDUCATION AND PROMOTION OF SAFE SPORT PRACTICES (CLUB)
GOLD
Pony Club of NSW
Gear Check Safety Policy
Riding a pony or horse is inherently dangerous, with a range of hazards involved in Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing. The Pony Club of NSW has developed a new gear check procedure that involves evaluating all riders and horses prior to any training day or competition.
The Association developed a compulsory checklist for club show jumping technical delegates that includes a risk assessment component for logistics, medical and veterinary services, exercise and gear check areas and ground checks that must be completed prior to all competitions, rallies or schools. It ensures that the safety of riders is enhanced through the correct fit of riding gear and adequate horse comfort.
Under the procedure, the technical delegate is responsible for inspecting the gear of the mount and dress of the rider, and make recommendations including the removal of gear that may be considered unsafe or incorrectly fitted.
The gear check procedure is now included as a bi law in the Association Handbook and is now a standard part of instructor training. This procedure has also led the Association to develop its Technical Delegate Program which appoints a dedicated individual for each State Championship competition to oversee the gear check procedure, ensure the safety of the grounds and risk assess logistical issues.
As a result of this initiative, there has been a reduction in the number of individual rider accidents and injuries.
The Pony Club Association of NSW is the largest recognised state body for pony clubs in Australia, and the largest association of riders in the world that encourages the development of horse riding in NSW through targeting grassroots, and elite development programs, competitions and education activities. Recognised as the grassroots level of horse riding development, Pony Club NSW has over 271 clubs with over 15, 500 members.
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