On 13 January 1954, the Pony Club Association of Victoria was officially formed at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, with seven founding clubs. Today, PCV spans over 170 clubs across 10 zones with around 8,000 members each year.
The Mulgrave state office is named Irving House in honour of Life Member Miss Kay Irving MBE, Chief Instructor from 1958 to 1983 — a fitting tribute to one of PCV’s most beloved figures.
(Miss Kay Irving (left) and Jean Luckock – two amazing women who did so much for horse sports in Australia.)
1940s
Our Beginnings
The first Pony Club in Victoria
Victoria's equestrian story started with one inspired woman. Miss Margaret Douglas read about New South Wales' first Pony Club in an English riding magazine and decided to build something similar at home. The Mountain District Horse and Pony Club launched in Croydon in 1944 — and with petrol rationing driving renewed interest in horses during World War II, it hit 60 members within a year. Others across the state quickly followed.
1950s
PCV is Formed
Seven clubs — Berwick, Eltham, Footscray, Mountain District, Shepparton, Vermont, and Western District — gathered at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds in January 1954 to officially establish PCAV. Miss Kay Irving emerged as a defining force, shaping instruction and advocacy for the decades ahead. PCV's first Instructors Course launched, and the broader Australian equestrian community grew around it.
1960s
Growth
By the early 1960s, the need for a national coordinating body was clear. In September 1961, during the second Inter-Pacific Rally in Melbourne, state representatives met to discuss a federal association. An Advisory and Liaison Committee was established, chaired by Erik Kolle of PCAV, laying the groundwork for what would become Pony Club Australia — a nonprofit recognised by the Australian Sports Commission and affiliated with Equestrian Australia.
Within Victoria, PCAV continued to grow — establishing its first four zones, adopting its first Constitution, and hiring its first paid employee.
1970s
A home for PCV
PCV purchased its Brighton office, naming it Irving House in honour of Miss Kay. The organisation appointed its first full-time employee and held well-established State Championships. In 1976, Miss Kay Irving was awarded an MBE in recognition of her outstanding contribution to equestrian sport and youth development.
1980s
Membership Growth
Membership surged. Miss Kay stepped down after more than two decades as State Chief Instructor, and PCV marked the occasion by joining the state-wide relay celebrating Victoria's 150th anniversary — a reminder of just how deeply the organisation had become woven into the fabric of the state.
1990s
Vic Host National Championships
PCV hosted the National Championships and introduced a rotation of State Championships through zones, making competition more accessible across the state. The decade also saw PCV's first Executive Officer appointed and its first website launched — an early step into the digital age.
2000s
The move to Mulgrave
The 2000s brought significant change. The Sydney Olympics featured Pony Club involvement on the national stage, while the 2007 Equine Influenza outbreak posed major challenges for the equestrian community. In 2008, PCV relocated from Brighton to Mulgrave following the sale of the original property.
At this time, PCAV represented over 200 clubs across ten regional zones. Pony Club Australia also reached a global milestone — by 2008 it held the largest Pony Club membership in the world, with around 40,000 members and over 800 clubs.
2010s
A Change in the Wind
PCV rebranded in alignment with Pony Club Australia's national identity and acquired the Pony Club Victoria Equestrian Centre (PCVEC), providing a state-of-the-art competition facility. Membership saw a gradual decline reflecting broader trends across the equestrian sector. The broader Australian Pony Club movement celebrated its 80th year in 2019, marking an enduring legacy of youth equestrian development.
2020s
Resilience and Renewal
2020–2021: COVID-19 forced the postponement or adaptation of events, with virtual rallies and online competitions — including the Hygain Interzone Quiz Challenges — keeping members connected.
2022: An inaugural Board was formed under new governance structures. A successful three-club merger took place in the Central Zone, and PCV reflected on the achievements of its 2018–2022 Strategic Plan.
2023: In-person events resumed in full, with membership stabilising at around 8,000.
2024: PCV celebrated its 70th anniversary with special State Championships and historical exhibits honouring the organisation's journey.
2025: A new Executive Officer was appointed, Team Vic delivered strong performances at PCA Nationals, and PCV continued to grow its inclusivity programs — including Ready2Ride for riders aged 3–10, Riders without Horses initiatives, and Off The Track programs for retired racehorses.
2026 (ongoing): A new Strategic Plan is underway, with a focus on diversity, safety, and digital engagement. Partnerships with Racing Victoria and Hygain continue to support events including Ride to Time and the annual Quiz Championships.
PCV also maintains international connections through the Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA), formed in 2000, enabling members to participate in global competitions and exchanges.
Send an enquiry
Stay tuned, we will be updating this page as more information comes to hand.
If you have any information on the past of PCV, or your Pony Club zone or club, please send it to office@ponyclubvic.org.au
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