Keira Pony Club

05/11/2026

🐴 Welcome to Derby Day! Grounds Guide & Rider Information

Derby Day is almost upon us, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone! To ensure a safe, fun, and smooth day for all riders, equine friends, volunteers, and supporters, please take a moment to look over these friendly ground rules.

☕ 1. Arrival, Check-In & Delicious Treats -Gates will be open by 7:30 am, sing out if you would like to camp on Saturday night

Say Hello at the Canteen: Please drop by the canteen right when you arrive to check in and register, hand in your jump cards.

Second-Round Vouchers: Grab or purchase your second-round vouchers at the counter while checking in.

Lunch Orders: Don't forget to get your lunch orders in nice and early at the canteen so you don't miss out!

🚗 2. Parking & Moving Around the Grounds

Floats & Vehicles: Please park up towards the front of the grounds to keep access clear for everyone.

Safe Horse Pathways: For everyone's safety, all riders and handlers are asked to use the dedicated alleyway running along the side of the course when travelling to and from the float parking area.

🪖 3. What to Wear (Looking Great & Staying Safe!)

Standard Pony Club safety gear keeps us all smiling:

Helmet: An approved, well-fitted safety helmet fastened at all times when mounted. Choose your own snazzy cover.

Safety Vest: An approved riding safety vest / body protector.

Boots: Safe, approved riding boots.

Shirt: Wear your Club Polo with pride, or any neat, sun-smart collared shirt.

🌟 4. Warm-Up & Course Etiquette

Where to Warm Up: Feel free to warm up your horses in either the arena or the round yard—we ask that everyone please steer clear of the main course.

Save the Jumps for Your Round: We know the course looks exciting, but please resist the temptation to pop any jumps before the competition kicks off! Warm-up jumps are available in the warm-up area.

Warm-Up Flow: To give every horse and rider breathing room, please keep it to one horse at a time in the warm-up area just before rounds commence.

⏱️ 5. Competition Guidelines

Riding Two Horses in the Same Height Round:

You’re very welcome to ride both, but only one horse can be competitive for ribbons and placings.

Just be sure to nominate your competitive horse with our lovely judges before you start warming up.

Entering the Ring:

When your name is called, please ride over to introduce yourself to the judges.

Once the bell sounds, you’ll have 40 seconds to pick up your pace, cross the start line, and have fun!

🐾 6. Looking After Our Grounds

Smoke-Free Event: We are a strictly smoke-free venue for the comfort and health of our community and horses.

Four-Legged Friends: Dogs are welcome, but they must be kept on a short, secure lead at all times. If a dog becomes vocal or disruptive around the horses, we kindly ask that they take a rest in the car or head home.

🌦️ 7. Wet Weather & Updates

Event Date: 8 November 2026 (08.11.2026)

If the clouds roll in, check our official page by 7:30 AM on the morning of the event for an update.

If conditions aren't safe for riding, don't worry—the event will be postponed, not cancelled, so we'll still get our day of fun!

Thank you for helping us make Derby Day wonderful. Ride safe, support each other, and have a fantastic time!

Send a message to learn more

03/11/2026

Get those Derby Entries in guys - EV007910 on Just Go, or search for 'Keira Pony Club Annual Hickstead Derby' - if you are new to Pony club and would like to have a crack at intro - you can do a day-member entry and find us here https://pca.justgo.com/Workbench/i/r/EventsAndBookings/booking-details/624E2A30B5C667039296CD475C61C68E3F599481

Create a profile and drop us a DM so we can approve you - current vest , helmet and correct boots required.

29/10/2026

Welcome on board Woonona Petfood & Produce , sponsors of our 2026 Derby - Dennis and the team need no introduction to pony clubbers across the district - they have been huge supporters of our clubs and zone for years .

Go see them for all your pet and stock needs , support the business who support us !!

Thanks again guys , your very kind and thoughtful donation will be keeping riders safe on our grounds for years to come !

29/10/2026

Thank you Rob , from Big Bird's Mini Excavation ! Proud sponsor of one of our new jumps - can't tell you which one, as its a surprise - no one has jumped it yet, except our safety tester - it will be completely new for everyone ! ( cue evil laughter mwhahahahahah) Cant say much about it except that I know the riders in grades that don't get to go over it in their comp round will definitely be wanting to try it in their second round !

The only clue I'll give you is that faeries will be involved (not the ones with bat wings sorry to all the ACOTAR fans )

Rob specialises in tight access excavation for home owners & tradespeople when a small machine is needed. He's also pretty good at digging out tree holes, and really likes his dressage lines to be straight! Many Thanks Rob

29/10/2026

Many thanks to Sue from Readmans rug repairs ,supreme equine - Sue is Derby Days proud sponsor of the red 'brick' wall - Sue can fix up your torn rugs in a jiffy , and is also a dab hand at horse dress ups ! many of you will have seen her creations on Lucy & Clancy as well as other lucky recipients of her creative talents.

As all of our friends know, we would be lost without Sue - please support our supporters !

28/10/2026

👒🐴 DERBY DAY HAT PARADE! 🐴👒

Have we got a head-turner for you! 🎩🌸

It’s time to dust off those fascinators, unleash the feathers, fluff up the flowers and bring out your most fabulous (or fabulously outrageous) headwear! 😂

We’re hosting a HAT PARADE at our Pony Club Derby Day, and we want YOU to join the fun!

👒 Gold coin entry
🏆 PRIZE for BEST HAT, proudly supplied by Ashley Louise Hair Artistry 💖 https://www.instagram.com/ashleylouise_hairartistry?xtok=bzNrNGM3ZHl1bjcz

🎉 Open to ALL attendees on the grounds!

Whether you’re a fascinator fanatic, a cowboy hat connoisseur or just someone who thinks a bit of bling belongs on every occasion, we want to see what you’ve got !

No need to be a fashionista… confidence is everything , and a little bit of crazy never hurt anyone! 🤣

So grab your hat, rally your friends and come join the fun. Who knows? You might just take home the glory (and the bragging rights)! 🏆👒

See you at Derby Day November 8 — let’s put the horse in haute couture! 🐴😂

26/10/2026

Please thank our sponsors of the stone wall , Luke from Level Up construction !

You can give him a follow on the ‘gram here https://www.instagram.com/levelupcsc?psln=MXh1czRucWtyd3pnaA==

And you can email him here : [email protected]

Please support the people who support your club ! We could not do it without them 🙂 thanks Luke !! ( I kind of love those outdoor tables you did 😉)

24/10/2026

Are you riding in the Derby on November 8 ? Don’t forget the prize for best helmet cover - wear your fanciest, fluffiest, floral or funky cover - win a prize ! Juniors , associates and adults .

Safety first guys , nothing that might accidentally strangle you please !

23/10/2026

23/10/2026

Thank you to our other major sponsor !!

Put your best foot forward ( inside leg needs work guys ) with the team from Community Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong - this amazing bank has supported us from the start - jump vests , jump equipment, funds towards the clubhouse, the arena , sporting equipment, and during COVID , generously assisted multiple clubs some funds to just keep going .

This branch alone has put over 6 millions dollars back into our local community- supporting women’s health, homelessness programs , schools , firies , lifesaving clubs - you name the nfp , they have probably supported it!

So support the only Bank in the Illawarra that gives back to the Illawarra to this level - go see the team at Oak Flats team and refinance your loan , open your bank accounts, talk to them about your business!