The History of HARC

Written by Sharon Joyce

2022 Newsletter Article

Having held nearly every position on the Horsemen’s Pony Club Committee at different times throughout our two daughter’s 12 years of fun during their pony club years, I look back on the creation of Horsemens Adult Riding Club with very fond memories.

I remember it very clearly, like it was yesterday.

It all began at a pony club rally one Sunday when one of the pony club mums (Deb Flugge)

said “I’m sick of watching the kids have all the fun, it’s not fair. Let’s start our own riding group for the mums on a Friday when the kids are at school!” I happened to be sitting close by and replied, “Yeah, great idea. Let’s do it!”. Nothing else was said that day as we all frantically went about helping our kids saddle up and get to their lessons on time.

To my surprise, the following week at the HPC Committee Meeting, listed on the agenda was - ”The establishment of Horsemens Adult Riding Club” - Sharon Joyce nominated to get it started.

“What the??? I didn’t remember that part!”

Turns out Deb had spoken to other mums that day, including some of the HPC Committee and they all agreed I had the ability to get the club off the ground. Nobody told me that’s all. A minor detail according to all of them!

Back in 2004 I was 34 years of age and full of hope and energy. I was quietly chuffed that my

fellow PC parents thought me capable enough to start the club and took hold of the opportunity for a new challenge, never realising there was a fair bit more to it than I could ever imagine.

I started from scratch. HPC ‘borrowed’ me $1200 to submit an application to the Department

of Sport & Recreation for the establishment of HARC. It included creating a Constitution, club

colours, club uniform, club purpose, creating a Committee etc. Then there were insurances,

affiliation with EWA etc. A bit more to it than I thought. I hadn’t even thought about coaches

yet. “What. We need coaches too?”

Bugger me. The list felt endless..........

Sounds pretty lame now I know, but all us pony club mums figured we’d just rock up on a Friday with our horses and ponies (or in some cases, our kid’s horses & ponies) and hoon around like our children seemed to do. It wasn’t as easy as that. I’ve always been so very naïve!

Once all the hard work was done and the club actually existed, then the REALLY hard work began.

Enrolment began. In our first year we received 26 memberships. Not sure why that number sticks in my head but I do know 26 was definitely how many members we started with. We existed with a very minimal committee. Not unlike most clubs, it was difficult to find people willing to fill committee roles. Thankfully one of the new members (I only remember her as Cath and she was in the Army) put her hand up to be President and I took on Rally Coordinator, Secretary & Treasurer.

Oh....and if you ever want to complain about set up and/or pack away......DON’T! I did that too with only the help of my wonderful husband and 2 daughters. I didn’t ask any of the members to help with set up and pack away because I just wanted them to come and have a good time. What an idiot!!

At the time, according to the Department of Sport & Rec. the above positions we were the only positions required to fill in order to operate. We couldn’t begin without a President and President was one position I have just never had the desire to tackle.

Our second year was more encouraging in terms of enlisting committee members. Sadly Cath, who was an awesome President, was seconded to NSW with the Army. Maggie Coates and Alison Reynolds stepped up and were of huge assistance. Alison took over the role of Treasurer and Maggie took on pretty much all the other roles I was not doing. Maggie and I were the ‘Girl Fridays’ or ‘Dog’s bodies’ as we called ourselves back then. Dave Carey was our show jumping/cross country coach and Deb Spencer was our flatwork coach.

We also enlisted the services of Diane Bennit on occasion. With only 26 members, Dave and Deb were pretty much it in terms of our coaches and they have been with our club ever since. I thank and value them greatly for coming on board in the beginning and for being with us still today. How lucky we were to have them back then and how lucky we are to still have them now, along with all our other awesome coaches.

I don’t even remember there being other ARC clubs existing in 2004 except for Gnangara. There probably were other clubs in existence, I just don’t remember any.

I started my ARC endeavours riding at Gnangara ARC (when my girls were in nappies) before Horsemens was established, but I never felt I made the grade. I always felt inferior to the other members and lacking knowledge. Maybe that was my own insecurities and lack of faith in myself coming to the fore and I definitely lacked knowledge. Plus, my very green, recently retired racehorse was certainly not looked upon as worthy to be in the same arena as a lot of the other more fancied breeds. It wasn’t a friendly place to ride, it was quite intimidating actually and that’s why, when I established HARC I was determined for it to be an extremely friendly, warm and welcoming club.

Requesting each member to bring a plate for lunch and allowing 1 hour for our lunch break was a contributing factor to the club beginning in the manner it did. For lots of us, who were sooooo happy to be out of the house and away from the kids, lunch was a great way to catch up with like-minded people who loved spending time with and riding their horses & ponies. Sharing our riding experiences and whining about the washing, making school lunches, parent/teacher interviews etc. was an added bonus.

One small piece of trivia for you. For a reason unbeknown even to me, I had a real thing about why Horsemen’s Pony Club was spelt with an apostrophe in the word Horsemens. To me, it didn’t make any sense. Hence why Horsemens Adult Riding Club Inc. is spelt without an apostrophe. If I had the opportunity to name the club again, it would be Horse people Adult Riding Club or similar. Actually, probably nothing like that! I’m sure I could be far more creative today, but even back in 2004 really not that long ago, we were still putting ‘men’ on the end of everything. Oh, how the world is forever evolving.

Evolving! That’s what I hope for HARC in the future.

The club has evolved from very humble beginnings. From a bunch of mums whose only ambition was to spend time with their horse and enjoy a little ‘me’ time, to a club with over 67 members and growing. All 67 of our members are a part of Horsemens for different reasons.

Some members like to join in on a Friday rally and that is their only outing with their horse. Other members aim to develop their riding skills, continue to kick goals, compete competitively and bring home rugs and ribbons.

Horses are very expensive to care for and take a lot of our time, I think it’s fantastic to be rewarded. It is very encouraging and helps us to strive to do better next outing.

Rebecca Lawrence, Amanda Higgins, Jo Vinci and Sue Smith are 4 of our inaugural members and still members of our club today. Throughout the years these ladies have all contributed HUGELY to the ongoing success of the club.

Following my resignation from a very demanding job nearly 3 years ago, I promised myself I would not ever take on a position of importance ever again but, the club was in need of a President in 2022. I didn’t put my hand up, I was approached by the 2021 committee and believe me when I say I REALLY didn’t want to take on the role. I’ve done my time! After thinking about it though I simply couldn’t sit back and watch something so good dissolve because it didn’t have a President.

We create things because we love to see the joy it brings others......well I do. Maybe I have an obligation to see Horsemens ARC grow?

Horsemens ARC has always been a wonderful club! We strive to support those who want to get out of the house and have a little me time and we also support those who are endeavouring to pursue their passion to become a competitive rider.

For whatever reason you belong to Horsemens ARC, I truly hope you love being part of it and we support your reasons, whatever they are.

The club was set up for you the members and no other reason. Enjoy it!!!