When 19-year-old Tuscan began showing signs of discomfort just weeks before the 2025 Pony Club Victoria State Championships, his rider Brianna Ballesty faced a heartbreaking decision. The pair had worked tirelessly to qualify in both dressage and showjumping — but when it became clear that Tuscan wasn’t quite right, Brianna chose to withdraw.
“It hurt to pull out,” she admits. “We’d set this goal together knowing it might be Tuscan’s last big competition. But competing is about the partnership — one part of us was hurting, so we looked after each other and stayed home. I know I did the right thing.”
That choice — guided entirely by care, not competition — epitomises the spirit of Pony Club Australia’s new Soundness & Welfare Award, proudly sponsored by Scootboot. In its inaugural year, the award recognises members who demonstrate exceptional care for their horse’s wellbeing.
A new award with an important message
The PCA Soundness & Welfare Award celebrates riders who prioritise their horse’s health and comfort in every decision — from daily management and hoof care to training adjustments and competition choices. Brianna’s actions set a benchmark for what this award represents: a thoughtful, educated, welfare-first approach that others can learn from.
Learning that never stops
A dedicated member of the Maryborough & District Horse and Pony Club in Victoria, Brianna has always valued education as the foundation of good horsemanship. She recently achieved her C* Proficiency Certificate, plans to begin her B Certificate after finishing Year 12, and has completed a Certificate III in Equine Studies. She’s also working towards her Preliminary Coaching Certificate — a natural next step for someone who quietly mentors others at her club.
Beyond Pony Club, Brianna has completed a wide range of welfare and hoof-care education, from RSPCA Victoria workshops to PCA’s welfare webinars on topics like hoof care, rider impact, and ethical equipment use.
“The acknowledgement that we can always learn more is so important,” Brianna says. “New research and training methods are being discovered all the time, and understanding them helps me make better decisions for my horses.”
Care that starts from the ground up
Brianna’s horses, Tuscan and Cricket, benefit from a proactive and consistent care routine. She picks out their hooves daily, maintains a five- to six-week farrier schedule, and adjusts trims or shoeing as needed to keep them balanced. Tuscan is shod, while Cricket remains barefoot — carefully monitored through the summer to ensure comfort on harder ground.
Her attention extends to nutrition and environment, ensuring clean paddocks, varied feeding areas, and supplements for hoof strength and gut health.
When Tuscan developed a hoof abscess, Brianna responded with calm precision — cleaning, disinfecting, and poulticing under her farrier’s guidance. Her methodical approach allowed Tuscan to recover quickly and comfortably, highlighting her hands-on understanding of soundness and management.
Leadership through example
At her home club, Brianna is known for her quiet leadership and willingness to help others. Whether teaching younger members how to clean hooves safely or assisting with first aid for minor wounds, she uses every opportunity as a learning moment.
“Brianna brings a strong sense of leadership and sets a positive example within our club’s riding membership,” says District Commissioner Linda Gerring. “She continually strives to enhance her horsemanship skills and consistently demonstrates outstanding care and dedication to her horses.”
That consistency and empathy have made Brianna a role model — someone her peers turn to for calm, thoughtful advice.
A future built on knowledge and kindness
For Brianna, the Soundness & Welfare Award is more than recognition — it’s a reminder that good horsemanship starts with listening.
“It’s about reflection,” she says. “Noticing what’s working, what isn’t, and being honest about what your horse is telling you.”
Through her education, everyday routines, and unwavering commitment to putting her horses first, Brianna Ballesty embodies everything this new award was created to celebrate. Her story reminds us that true success in Pony Club isn’t measured by ribbons or results — it’s measured by the wellbeing of the horse.
By making thoughtful, welfare-first decisions, Brianna sets a powerful example for riders of all ages. She shows that compassion, observation, and continual learning are the foundations of great horsemanship — and that the strongest partnerships are built on trust, not trophies.
As the first-ever recipient of the Pony Club Australia Soundness & Welfare Award, proudly sponsored by Scootboot, Brianna has set the bar high. Her blend of care, knowledge, and integrity reflects everything Pony Club strives to instil in its members — a deep respect for the horse above all else.
“Competitions will come and go,” Brianna says. “But our horses rely on us to listen, learn, and make choices that keep them happy and sound. That’s what good horsemanship means to me.”
