A global pandemic has not stopped pony clubs from several countries meeting up for an international Pony Club Quiz Championship on Saturday 5 December.
Thanks to the powers of Zoom, six teams from around the world gathered around their computers for the chance to win the quiz for their country.
Australian team manager Kim Ward said the other teams were from the UK, Canada, Hong Kong and the US.
Due to the need to have all entrants in the one room, like a standard Pony Club Quiz event, Australia was represented by the talented Healesville Pony Club rather than members selected from around Australia.
The team comprised:
• Manon Schey, 22, a member of the InterPacific Quiz Team in 2019, and a member of the 3rd-placed Senior Quiz Team at Pony Club Australia Nationals in 2019. She is studying for her A Certificate and is the president of Healesville Pony Club.
• Abi van Bergeijk, 19, a member of the 3rd placed Senior Quiz Team at Nationals 2019 and a past president of her club’s Junior Committee
• Kira Hetherton, 18, a member of the winning Junior Quiz Team at the Nationals 2019.
• Rebecca Goodwin, 22, Pony Clubber of the Year 2018 – Healesville Pony Club.
Kim Ward is the current Chairperson of the PCA National Quiz Committee, a PCA NCAS Preliminary Coach, Manager of PCA International Quiz Team Canada 2017 and a Life Member Yarra Glen Pony Club. She was assisted by Lani Hetherton the current vice president and past president of Healesville Pony Club.
MsWard said the quiz was rapidly growing in popularity among Australian pony clubs, since Pony Club Australia sent its first team overseas to compete in 2014.
“Normally entrants are quizzed in several phases – some of which are played as individuals and some played as teams, and some written, some with verbal answers and some practical tests,” Ms Ward said.
“This time due to the international competition being online for the first time, there were six rounds of 10 questions. The topics included testing knowledge on equine first aid, the Olympics, respiratory system of horses, and native and rare breeds.
“Unfortunately our team did not place in the top 3 but we had a great time,” said Ms Ward.
The quiz was won by the UK.
