A Condensed History of Spalding Horse & Pony Club
By Ngaire Martin (A founding Life Member)
In 1970 a small band of pony lovers and their parents started to gather on a vacant piece of land between 6th & 7th street just opposite the egg farm operated by Stan and Joy Gratte. Mrs Pam Burbridge suggested we found a bigger venue and Mr Tom Muir of ‘Sunnybanks Farm’ Strathalbyn kindly allowed us to use a paddock. He became our 1st Patron when in March 1971 we had a meeting and became a club. Spalding Horse and Pony Club was chosen when Mrs Sue Shields (one of our founding members) a Geraldton town councillor was asked if she could locate a less sandy venue. After some research she found that a former Mayor of Geraldton Mr Spalding in 1891 successfully lobbied for the creation of a public park and 500 acres of crown land were granted on the banks of the Chapman River. S.H.&P.C. present ground was where Mr Spalding used to camp and rest his horses and he stated that this area should always be available for horse use, so that is how we got our name and grounds. July 1971 we were granted use of 5acres bordering old NWCH for a peppercorn fee of $1 which was paid in advance to the town of Geraldton up to year 2000 and later we obtained the remaining portion formally used as a market garden. The ground had been used as a rubbish dump but with the enthusiastic help of members and parents the rubbish was buried in the many big holes and the ground levelled by willing dads brining in their loader tractors and during the Sept of 1971 Grandparents Jim Martin and Bob Golding spread grass seed.
All improvements were funded by members fundraising – cake stalls, bottle drives and pony rides etc with no cost to the town council. In 1977 we became incorporated and took out a loan for $2000.00 to erect fences and yards and also the clubrooms with toilets. 4 families put up $500.00 each as guarantors – Graham & Aileen Forth, Gordon & Margeret Hancock, Max & Pat Eves and Stan & Joy Gratte, with extra effort in fundraising we were able to reimburse them within a year, while having a great time holding progressive dinners which became our main fundraiser in future years. Also many hours were spent building jumps in the cross country.
Spalding from the outset wanted to be a fun club where children from 3years to 21years could gather make friends learn how to care for their horses, learn skills in various activities involving horses, learning to put the needs of the horses before their own, showing respect and consideration for others, building confidence and encouraging them to try and reach their goals. Over the years many have represented the club at varied competitions at State, Interstate and National levels bringing back the coveted ribbons. Others perhaps not quite as brave have been catered for on a local level with long weekend farm camps always a favourite, trail rides and interclub games days such as the ‘SDay’, a variety of challenging games set up in the shape of a huge ‘S’ representing Spalding. Treasure Hunts, Road rallies, beach rides and the famous camp at Buller River. The Tetrathlon was introduced after 2 of our riders travelled south to compete in the Running, Swimming, Shooting and Crosscountry Riding Event. The next year we had 97 competitors from 6 clubs in the Northern Zone compete.
Over the years we have been so lucky to have great members and their supporting families, which being involved since day 1 I feel it such a privilege to know and to have known so small children grow into competent riders and citizens, willing to put effort and help into the lives of those not so fortunate and so Riding for the Disabled was formed in 2000 and has operate at SHPC grounds with full support of SHPC committee, with members supplying horses and their time as volunteers.
Spalding Horse and Pony Club 