Huntingfield Pony & Riding Club

HUNTINGFIELD NEWS

HPRC Members-Only Ground Hire Program Continues

Our HPRC Members-Only Ground Hire Program continues this financial year.

As many of you know, we initially opened the grounds for casual use at $10 per visit, allowing members to access the arena and bring their own instructor for private lessons at a reduced cost.

We then trialed a Special Ground User Agreement from December 2025 until the end of March 2026, allowing approved HPRC members full use of the grounds—including the cross-country course, show jumps and arena—without requiring an instructor to be present.

Following the success of this trial, we have finalised the pricing for the ongoing Member Ground Hire Program.

All the new details about costs and how to book are on our Ground Hire page.

Life Membership Caps Off Huntingfield's Big Night

Huntingfield Award Winners

DC Clare Stewart, Life Member Sam Todd, President Aleisha Guest

New Life Member

Huntingfield Pony and Riding Club — AGM & Awards Night, Kingston Hotel, Friday 14 August 2026

The Kingston Hotel was full of smiling faces, proud parents and well-earned silverware on Friday night as the Huntingfield Pony and Riding Club held its Annual General Meeting and Awards Night, closing out another strong year for the club.

Awards were presented across the full spread of the membership — from the youngest riders taking home their first trophies to senior members recognised for years of consistent effort in the saddle. The mix says a lot about Huntingfield: a club where a young rider on a lead rein and a rider approaching adulthood can share the same arena, the same volunteers and, on Friday, the same applause.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Life Membership to Sam Todd, in recognition of her long-running contribution to the club.

Accepting the honour, Sam was a little teary and later took the chance to pass on a few thoughts she'd wanted to share on the night.

"Congratulations to the committee and members on tonight's AGM and Awards Night," she said. "Another fabulous year for this incredible club. It's exciting to see such a great future for Huntingfield."

Her advice to members came down to four things:

Get involved. "If you have an opportunity to become part of your child's club, sport, school — do it. In most cases, reward outweighs the pain. We have made friends for life, and felt part of a wonderful community."
Volunteer anyway. "Although it can feel 'thankless' at times, it does fill your cup with all the positive things."
Be part of the change. "If you don't like it, get involved and contribute — don't criticise."
Make it a family effort. "It will make you stronger and leave a legacy for generations to come. Your kids will follow your footsteps."

She closed with thanks to the club that has shaped so much of her family's life. "Thank you Huntingfield for being such a big part of our lives — and we're not done yet — and for the recognition. It's appreciated."

Congratulations to Sam and to all of Friday night's award recipients, and thank you to the committee and volunteers who keep the club running week in, week out. Here's to the season ahead.

Helmet Safety

Your helmet is your most important piece of safety gear, it’s the one thing standing between your head and serious injury in a fall. But helmets don’t last forever, and it’s important to know when to replace them to keep you protected every time you ride.

When should you replace your helmet?

Every 3–5 years: Manufacturers generally recommend replacing helmets every five years from the date of purchase due to material wear and degradation over time. However, if you ride very regularly you may need to replace it sooner.

Immediately after a fall or impact: Even if it looks fine, the internal protective foam can be compromised after any hit. A helmet that has absorbed an impact may not protect you again in the same way.

If the fit changes or straps are worn: A helmet that is loose, tight, or has weakened straps won’t protect you properly.

Hot Tip: Always check the date of manufacture inside your helmet when you buy it, the protective materials start aging from that point, even if it hasn’t been worn yet.

Important: Helmet Standards Are Changing

From 1 January 2026, updated international equestrian helmet standards begin rolling out, with further changes continuing through 1 January 2028. These new standards are designed to improve protection and align with the latest safety research.

This means: Helmets will progressively need updated safety tags and certification to meet the newest standards.

If your helmet only meets older standards, even if it’s still within its lifespan, you may need to upgrade to compete or comply with Pony Club / EA rules.

Stay ahead of these changes by checking your helmet’s certification and planning your next upgrade before the standards shift in 2026–2027.

Your head is worth it, and a well-timed helmet replacement could make all the difference.