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About Us

LOCATION AND FACILITIES The Darwin Horse and Pony Club grounds are located at the corner of Secrett and Lagoon Roads, Knuckey Lagoon about 15 kms from sunny Darwin at the "Topend" of Australia. Current there are about 50 social and rider members. The facilities at the club include 2 large grassed arenas plus a special small arena for our younger riders. There are 30 day stables, a canteen, club meeting room and an excellent cross country course suitable for riders of all levels. An undercover area outside the canteen provides a great place to watch the events on the main arena and enjoy a hot snack and drinks. Visitors are most welcome to use these facilities on rally days.
HISTORY Our Club holds a proud tradition of many years, being the first club to be formed in the Darwin and Rural area. The Club has been incorporated since 1967. Since that time we have gone from holding our rally days at Bill Kunz's place at Berrimah, the Show Grounds, Kreig's Stables and the Water Gardens to using the wonderful facility we have here today. Many, many hours of voluntary labour have produced the training facility we all enjoy. Many people deserve the credit for the Club as we know it today. Joan and Graham Baker (Life Members) for many years were the backbone of DHPC and to honour them the Northern Region Prince Philip Mounted Games championships which we host with pride each Easter, has been named and is commonly known as the Baker Shield. The Baker's daughters, Jane and Helen, rode very successfully for many years and Helen's name along with her wonderful black Australian Stockhorse, Sylvester, can be viewed on many of our Club's perpetual trophies. Mick Dunne (Life Member) is responsible for most of the buildings we have here today, donating most of the steel and labour for the Dunne Pavilion, stables and Club house cover. Mick was also responsible for the construction of the canteen and equipment shed supplied to the Club at cost. Others who supported and worked diligently for the club are Carol Gumley and Marlene Powell (Life Members). These are but a few of the many people who spent hours and hours of voluntary labour working for the continued development of this Club and our grounds. Some of these people are still involved today and their commitment to the Club and this facility as still as strong as ever. Check out some of the names that have judged our Gymkhanas over the years here-I am sure you will recognise a few (thanks to Lesley Sullivan for supplying this information).
ACHIEVEMENTS The Darwin Horse and Pony Club has a proud tradition of 'leading the way' in many areas. Instigating and hosting the first Northern Territory Pony Club Championships. Host for 11 years of the Darwin Horse Show, heralded by all as the best show of the equestrian season. (Unfortunately, due to limited finances and the need to develop our own grounds, this event has been put on hold, but it is hoped that we will once again promote this event in the future.) Instigating and hosting the very first Prince Philip Mounted Games competition in the NT Instigating and hosting the Northern Region Pony Club Championships, incorporating the Baker Shield (Prince Philip Games), Northern Region Dressage Championships and Northern Region Pony Club Quiz Championships. RIDER AND COACHING ACHIEVEMENTS Although not a large Club, we have an enviable record in the competitive field, both at Pony Club competitions and in the open equestrian field. Listed below are the major achievements recorded by Darwin Horse and Pony Club members. 1989 Sue Allot was the first Northern Territory rider to gain the coveted Pony Club A level certificate. 1990 Hayley Potter and Jack Flash won the NT Galloway of the Year and represented the NT at the National Saddle Horse Championships in Canberra. 1991 • Vanessa Dunne selected to represent the NT at the Inaugural National Prince Philip Mounted Games in Tasmania. • Hayley Potter selected to represent the Northern Territory at the Inaugural National Prince Philip Mounted Games in Tasmania. • Vanessa Dunne selected as Reserve Rider of the Australian Mounted Games Team. • Cheryl Stevens selected as the NT Coach of Prince Philip Mounted Games 1992 Vanessa Dunne selected to represent the NT at the National Prince Philip Mounted Games in Western Australia. • Hayley Potter selected to represent the NT at the National Prince Philip Mounted Games in Western Australia. • Cheryl Stevens selected as the NT Coach of Prince Philip Mounted Games. • Mick Dunne represented the NT in Polocrosse at the Master's Games in Alice Springs. • Hayley Potter won NT Intermediate Rider of the Year, and NT Supreme Junior Rider of the Year. • Megan Jurek and Glenview Lodge Mirra won the NT Pony of the Year and represented the NT at the National Saddle Horse Championships 1993 • Hayley Potter selected to represent Australia at the International Mounted Games hosted by Ireland. • Hayley Potter selected to represent the NT at the National Prince Philip Mounted Games in Queensland. • Cheryl Stevens selected as NT Coach Prince Philip Mounted Games. • Vanessa Dunne was sashed Supreme Rider of the Royal Darwin Show 1994 • Cheryl Stevens selected as NT Coach Prince Philip Mounted Games. • Mick Dunne represented the NT in Polocrosse as the Master's Games in Alice Springs 1995 • Cheryl Stevens selected as NT Coach Prince Philip Mounted Games. • Brooke Dunne sashed Champion Junior Rider of the Year, and Supreme Junior Rider of the Year. • Brooke Dunne and Wembley airs and Graces won the NT Pony of the Year and represented the NT at the National Saddle Horse Championships in two sections, Junior rider and Big Pony in Melbourne. • Hayley Potter selected as NT Chef de Quip for National Pony Club Championships, Wagga Wagga NSW 1996 • Brooke Dunne selected to represent the NT at the National Prince Philip Mounted Games in Adelaide. • Cheryl Stevens selected as NT Coach of Prince Philip Mounted Games. • Brooke Dunne sashed Supreme Rider of the Royal Darwin Show the youngest rider ever to be awarded this title at the RDS. • Brooke Dunne and Wembley Airs and Graces won the NT Pony of the Year and represented the NT at the National Saddle Horse Championships in two sections, Junior Rider and Big Pony in Melbourne 1997 • Brooke Dunne and Jack Flash won the NT Galloway of the Year • Brooke Dunne won the NT Intermediate Rider of the Year 1997 Jenna Milner won the NT Junior Rider of the Year • Brooke Dunne won Supreme Junior Rider of the year and represented the NT at the National Saddle Horse Championships in Melbourne • Christopher Diplock and Beau K Cheval represented the NT at the National Pony Club Dressage Championships in Adelaide • Bonnie Howe and Iramoo Sir Jasper represented the NT at the National Pony Club Dressage Championships in Adelaide • Brooke Dunne represented the NT at the National Prince Philip Mounted Games in Tasmania • Alicia Gardner selected as Reserve Rider for the NT Prince Philip Mounted Games Team • Cheryl Stevens selected as NT coach Prince Philip Mounted Games • Kerri Smith selected as NT chaperone Prince Philip Mounted Games • Alicia Gardner riding Wattles Lochinvar won High Point Horse and Rider Award at the NT Pony Club Championships • Brooke Dunne selected to represent Australia at the International Mounted Games in Kentucky USA in 1998 2000 Jenna Milner (Equestrian) won the Northern Territory Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award. Jenna was champion rider under 18 at every show in which she competed in 2000, winning supreme on three of those occasions. She also defeated the National Champion Intermediate Rider 14 and under 18 years in Victoria during the year. 2008 • Jessica Pen Dennis represented Australia at the International Prince Philip Mounted Games Championships. Team won silver. DARWIN HORSE & PONY CLUB TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS 1990 • Northern Region Dressage Champions • Northern Region Quiz Champions 1991 • Northern Region Prince Philip Games Champions (Baker Shield) • Northern Region Quiz Champions • NT Dressage Champions 1992 • Northern Region Quiz Champions 1994 • NT Presentation Champions 1995 • Northern Region Quiz Champions 1997 • NT Presentation Champions, NT One Day Event Champions, NORTHERN TERRITORY PONY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB 2008 • Champion Northern Territory Pony Club 2009 • Baker Shield PPMG Reserve Champs; Reserve Dressage Champs. • PCANT Championships - Champion PPMG team; Champion Dressage team; Champion NT Pony Club