HISTORY

Diana Basset-Smith
In November 1953, Diana Basset-Smith, a keen horse person, invited a number of like-minded people to meet at Lavender Park in Eltham, her mother's home. Lavender Park overlooked part of the Eltham Lower Park (ELP), which was destined to become the future home of the Eltham District Horse and Pony Club. The Club was formed as a result of that meeting and has occupied the same site continuously since that time. In 1954, the Club, along with four other clubs, formed the Pony Club Association of Victoria (PCAV). Since those early days the PCAV has grown to represent around 200 clubs and over 8,000 members. Diana realised there was a need for a riding club by way of teaching the many young riders and horse enthusiasts living in the district as much as possible about horses, riding and horsemastership. She no doubt envisaged the character-shaping and many other benefits this would bring to the younger community, but did she envisage that so many years on, the club that she and her friends formed would reach the heights of achievement which have been realised by the Eltham District Horse and Pony Club: * A Club that has helped shape the lives of several thousand young people through learning to nurture respect and interact with a beautiful intelligent animal. * A Club that has taught all those who have passed through, a sense of good sportsmanship, fair competition, camaraderie with their fellow riders and lifelong friendships - just to mention a few of the beneficial aspects. * A Club that has assisted in forming the huge organisation known today as the Pony Club Association of Victoria. * A Club that is today one of 22 clubs which represent the Northern Metropolitan Zone of the PCAV. Over the years our riders have constantly competed in all types of riding competitions with these and other clubs within PCAV. Most times our riders have been successfull in both individual and team events. * A Club that has produced riders and ‘horsey’ men and women who have continued to seek perfection in their equine pursuits and have continued to contribute by way of riding and horsemastership instruction, dressage, showjumping and eventing competition, breeding or veterinarian careers. Former riders include: aTechnical Delegate for the last four Olympic Games; Winner of Puissance Competition at the Dublin Horse Show; State Champions. * Many others have given freely of their time and efforts in keeping the pony club movement alive in the roles of District Commissioners and other office bearing capacities – all labour intensive. * A Club that has received amazing support from riders’ parents over the years, support that has meant the very being of the Club will continue to be so. * A Club that has in the last two decades seen an increasing awareness of our appreciation for the environment and the need for respect and harmony with our flora and fauna. With this emphasis we can continue our equine pursuits to everyone’s satisfaction.