The Club received $1,375 for uniforms from the NSW Government Sport and Recreation Fund – with snazzy new embroidered outfits recently being delivered.

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall visited the club’s home ground in Dundee on Monday, inspecting new uniforms and an upgraded canteen.

Mr Marshall said the new threads weren’t just for show.

“Uniforms are important for any real sports team – but with a focus on presentation and perfection in movement and form, they’re a necessity in horse sports,” Mr Marshall said.

“However, that’s a cost that is either weathered by parents or by the club – and a love of horses is already expensive enough. This will help the club turn their attention to purchases that will help riders perform to the best of their ability.”

The Pony Club certainly hasn’t looked the gift in the mouth – Club Secretary Teresa Klingner said the funding for outfits would allow the club to spend much needed funds elsewhere.

“For us to keep a stock of uniform takes a lot of money out of our bank account, and we don’t have a lot of money fundraised,” Mrs Kligner said. “This funding gives us financial relief so we can put funds in other areas of the club like equipment.”

The Emmaville Pony Club made the move to Dundee Sportsground some 12 months ago – in search of more accessible and reliable grounds than their previous home which was generously provided by Deepwater Station.

It proved a good call – with a brand new $40,000 canteen recently installed thanks to a Public Reserve Management Fund grant – allowing the club to sell food and drinks during events. This will further enable the club to raise funds to provide for new equipment.

The Emmaville Pony Club has gone from strength to strength, with membership steadily increasing, and growing interest for this year’s season.

“Several years ago we were down to 18, but over the last few we’ve seen 35 to forty members, Mrs Kligner said.