ABOUT US & HISTORY
KDPC is situated at the Golden Mile Equestrian Centre (GEC) in Marshall Street Kalgoorlie. It is approximately 590 kilometres from Perth or a six hour drive towing the float. Follow the directions link below. Our summers are dry and hot with temperatures soaring to above 40 in January and February. Most of our rains are in Spring and the winter months can be cold not reaching below 14 degrees often. Local Pony Club families are always welcoming and are happy to billet those in need.
KDPC hosts the Golden Nugget ODE in July with our yearly bonfire and auction on the Saturday night. All visitors are welcome and guaranteed an Goldfields experience. If you are thinking of entering the4 Golden Nugget ODE we recommend you arrive a few days early seeing it is held during school holidays and visit our tourist attractions and experience The Goldfields and meet Paddy Hannan! Local KDPC Members are always on hand to take the riders for a quiet bush ride.
Within the next couple of years the GEC will be relocated to new grounds behind the present day grounds to make way for a new sporting oval .
Presently we have a A Grade Cross Country Course with a couple of A+ jumps. KDPC will be adding to our X-C Course once we have relocated and will take the course up to A Plus.
FACILITIES:
Powered Sites
A Grade X-C Course
All weather Dressage arena
Enclosed arena
Showers , Toilets
Canteen
BBQ area
Children's Play area
Camping area
Horse Yards
Wash down Bay
Measuring Bay
HISTORY
Kalgoorlie/Boulder is a mining city 600km east of Perth which is vibrant in boom times and has a population blend of long term residents and short termers who look at the town to give them a good start before moving on, thus a degree of itinerancy is always a part of our population and lifestyle. Lifestyle is all about providing recreation and services to sustain the town and provide an environment which encourages people to work and enjoy.
Pony Club was introduced to Kalgoorlie/Boulder over 30 yrs ago, starting its humble beginnings due to the dedication and leadership of people like Jack and Dorothy Cashman who lobbied the council to provide facilities for equestrian and pony club activities.
Jack and Dorothy Cashman had 3 sons, John, Peter and David, all of whom were excellent young riders and were amongst the inaugural group of riders.
The first Pony Club rallies were held on the DR Morrison Oval in 1979 which no doubt created issues sharing with the football clubs in town. KDPC initially started with hack shows until the cross country and dressage arena’s were properly established, hence the club’s early representation in the PPMG Games due to Kalgoorlie’s senior riders having a strong Gymkhana/Games background. Forever the stalwart of setting up a new club, donations and hard work got things started for KDPC. Families like the O’Brien, Pinner, Turich (Matt. Turich serving on the Kalgoorlie Council), Duxworth, Cashman, Reid, Rumbold and Sayers to mention a few. Donations of equipment came from North Kalgurli Mines (where Jack Cashman was the manager) and many other small companies.
A lot of the hard work and donations came from members of the Eastern Goldfields Gymkhana Club (EGGC)who were keen to help as they shared the grounds for a couple of years with KDPC and Polocrosse much later. Fundraising as always being an integral part of clubs saw KDPC heavily involved in the local community fair – always decorating a float for the float parade and back when it was politically correct to do so, having a ‘princess’. KDPC took great pride in this event and won year after year, knocking off the dancing clubs who previously had always taken out these awards before pony club came on the scene. The club would win $4000 for princess and float which were valuable funds indeed for an emerging club.
The first time KDPC used the grassed area at the Goldfields Equestrian Grounds was in March 1982 and would have been a proud moment and just reward for all those parents who had worked tirelessly and for a good length of time to secure sole grounds for equestrian sport in the Goldfields. Although in 2010 we are discussing with council football again taking over our grounds and being involved in a current relocation plan the current members of KDPC still reap the benefits of the work put in years ago by these dedicated pony club parents.Amongst the inaugural members at this rally were Rhonda West and Renate Allen who are still today involved with KDPC as coaches.
KDPC may have been in the country but endorsed and maintained the PCAWA mandate and curriculum from the beginning. Children were instructed and received sound horseriding education in a safe environment. Riders were assessed and examined for certificates and the Cashman boys and Peta Rumbold would have been amongst the first recipients of their C Certificate from KDPC. Rhonda West who travelled to Southern Cross in 1983 for her examination remembers being the only one selected at this time from Kalgoorlie along with 3 others from Mukinbudin and Southern Cross. She received a card in the mail afterward from Mrs Blythe from Bodallin saying congratulations, which was a really big deal. She had been put forward to sit her C Certificate and still proudly has her C Certificate dated 7th March 1983.
Amongst the first Pony Club members to be prepared and tutored by Sandi Sime and examined in Kalgoorlie and receive their C Certificate were Genevieve Duncan, Tracy Talbot, Darren Robinson, Barbara Sheehan, and Helen Elliot in May 1983. It is a credit to the Pony Club movement that many of these people are still active and contributing to Pony Club.
Around 1986 KDPC boasted the largest number of members of a country club in WA. At one time there were in the vicinity of 100 members. Chief Instructor that year Roz Bellingham remembers the dedication and work commitment of the 10 instructors who would come to rallies to provide a full day’s riding activities with many parents simply dropping children off. Thank goodness today’s Pony Club Parent is totally involved with the rally day and involved in all activities with their children.
Life Memberships were awarded to Roselyn Bellingham and Sandra Sime in 2002 for their 20 years of service to the club. Roz and Sandra were both founding members and were thanked for their continuous support and contributions particularly fundraising to provide horse yards and shed facilities. They were also involved in the conception of plans for the inaugural Golden Nugget One Day Event. The recognition for these servants of KDPC is particularly apt as they are both still actively involved and an integral part of KDPC still going strong in 2010.
One of original buildings used as a club room still stands today and the horse yards and equipment shed still service the clubs needs. Families involved at the busy time of establishment like the Kennedy and O’Brien families have their names proudly etched in the concrete of the equipment shed standing testimony to the work and contribution they made to KDPC.
It doesn’t seem that long since the ‘long drop’ toilet (which quite possibly had resident red back spiders) was replaced before the existing toilets were built. Much of the materials and labour being supplied by Bob Pinner’s building company for this project.
Vandalism and theft in the early days was an ongoing problem, the club house still bears evidence to this day when red paint was thrown all over the outside walls..
With the assistance of parents, members and helpers (some from EG Regional Prison) a perimeter wire fence was erected in the early years. Prior to the fence being erected, regular horse escapes occurred and safety for the horse and rider was the prime reason for the fence being constructed. Unfortunately right from the start, the motorbike riders and cars didn’t appreciate the fence being erected over their existing tracks and continually damaged the fence.
KDPC held their first ODE in 1995 with small entry numbers, the second ODE received 18 entries. The inaugural Golden Nugget ODE was held in 2001 and has gone from strength to strength since then with current entries each year of 90-100 riders. It is the only event of its type on the Pony Club calendar with winners receiving gold nuggets as trophies and these have become a much sought after trophy.
The grounds have an A Grade Cross Country Course which was initially designed by Richard Kemp. Kempy’s Head Frame is a cross country jump named in memory of the late Richard Kemp, a former Mounted Policeman. Richard was instrumental in the building and designing of the cross country course from the early days of the Golden Nugget One Day Event. Richard was a true gentleman and an extremely likeable and popular character who due to his drive and enthusiasm ensured that the GNODE became a popular addition to many eventing riders calendars attracting riders who enjoyed competing over Richard’s inviting but challenging and professionally built obstacles in the cross country course.
One of the cross country jumps of particular note is Jump One, Floyds Jump. Floyd Gibbens-Routledge was a member of KDPC for a number of years and represented KDPC at state level in show jumping and eventing during this time riding his bay TB gelding “Raised on Lies” (aka ‘Ben’). Floyd loved competing and as a mark of respect, after Floyd tragically died as the result of an accident whilst riding track work at Lindsay Park Stud in South Australia, KDPC named the first cross country jump at the clubs premier event, Floyd’s Jump. A trophy is also awarded in Floyd’s honour each year to the rider showing the most improvement and highest achievement in eventing/show jumping.
Over the last 30 years many people have passed through KDPC whether as members, parents or extended family. All have made their mark and imprint on our club. Many have made massive commitments of their own personal time and financial contributions to start a Pony Club which has gone on to be a well managed and successful club that the current members and those who will follow will continue to benefit from.
Kalgoorlie District Pony Club has a very proud history with the Goldfields. Our riders feel a tremendous honour to represent our club and wear the brown and bright gold colours which are indicative of the Goldfields Region.
There is perhaps a reason that there is no letter ‘I’ in the word club. Pony Clubs do not exist or work without huge input and work from members, committee’s and families of which we are all aware.
We proudly follow in the footsteps of those who have walked the steps and done the work previously at KDPC knowing that our contribution today will also assist equestrian riders in the Goldfields Region in the future and for many years to come.
XC JUMPS
FLOYD’S JUMP
Floyd Gibbens-Routledge was a member of the KDPC for a number of years and represented the KDPC at State level in show jumping and eventing during this time, riding his bay TB gelding “Raised on Lies” (aka “Ben”).
Floyd died as the result of an accident whilst riding track work at Lindsay Park Stud in South Australia three years ago.
Floyd loved competing in eventing and show jumping events and as a mark of respect, the KDPC have named the first cross-country jump in the cross-country course at the club’s premier event, the Golden Nugget One Day Event, “Floyd’s Jump”.
Floyd’s parents, Steve and Kay, have donated to the KDPC a magnificent perpetual trophy in memory of Floyd, which is awarded to the rider showing the most improvement and highest achievement in eventing/show jumping.
KEMPY’S HEAD FRAME
This cross-country jump is named in memory of the late Richard Kemp, a former Mounted Policemen. Richard was instrumental in the building and designing of the cross-country course from the early days of the Golden Nugget One Day Event. Richard was a true gentleman and an extremely likeable and popular character. It was due to Richard’s drive and enthusiasm that the Golden Nugget One Day Event soon became a popular addition to many eventing riders’ calendars, attracting local riders as well as riders from all over the State, who enjoyed competing over Richard’s inviting but challenging and professionally built obstacles in the cross country course. Richard died as the result of a traffic accident.
KDPC supporters Murree and Glenda McEwan, whose daughter Maree (a former member of the KDPC), have donated the Richard Kemp Memorial Trophy, which is presented by Murree at the GNODE, to the rider (competing in the A or B grade), who achieves the least penalty faults in the cross country phase, closest to the optimum time.
MARGARET SKETT INDEPENDENT AWARD
This trophy was originally donated by Margaret Skett, a former President of the KDPC.
Margaret was a strong KDPC supporter prior to moving to Queensland to live with her husband David and son Nicky.
Margaret wanted to reward the keen rider who turned up at every rally day and did all the hard work on their own concerning their horse/pony with little or no parental support.
MARSHALL FAMILY TROPHY
This trophy was awarded originally by former KDPC members and supporters Di and Andrew Marshall, to the rider 10 years and under showing the most improvement over the year.
Di and Andrew were strong KDPC supporters, travelling to every KDPC rally, Busy Bee and horse show, with their two children, Eva and Andrew Jnr.
Di and Andrew (Snr) now live in the south west of WA and Di runs the very successful “Foxglove” Welsh pony stud.
This trophy was originally donated by Tracy Talbot, a former KDPC member and later instructor, to the rider and horse/pony combination gaining the most points overall at the KDPC Closed Show.
It is named after Tracy’s former racehorse, “It’s A Classic”.
Tracy now lives in Coolgardie with her family and breeds Shetland ponies.
BOUCAUT’S SPILLWAY
This cross-country jump was named after Laurelli and Jim Boucaut. Laurelli is a former KDPC President and husband Jim was the club Treasurer. As well as her Presidential duties, Laurelli also very capably organised and ran the club canteen. The Boucaut‘s daughter Monique and sons James and Michael were also club members, with Monique and James representing the KDPC at State level in dressage, showjumping and eventing with their versatile chestnut pony mare, “Bintara Temphey” (aka “Munch”). “Munch” herself was to become a long-time KDPC member, as she later went on to become a wonderful “school mistress” for KDPC riders, Aimee and Emma Adams.
BELLINGHAM BANKS
This obstacle is named after Roselyn Bellingham, a Life Member and former President of the KDPC.
The obstacle consists of a challenging set of steps, with differing amounts of difficulty for each grade.
This formidable looking obstacle was used for the first time in competition during the 2008 Golden Nugget One Day Event and demanded respect and careful riding from the competitors and their mounts.
Hopefully this obstacle will continue to provide challenges to horses and riders for many events to come!