NEW PONY CLUB SHADE TO MARK QUEEN’S JUBILEE
A GREEN Canopy will stretch from the United Kingdom to the Kia Ora & District Pony Club in Wide Bay to mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien congratulated the club on achieving a $2500 grant to plant native shade trees to protect horses and riders from the sun.
The Kia Ora Pony Club will hold a club tree planting day before their annual horse gymkhana in August, named the ‘Jubilee Gymkhana’ to honour the monarch.
“The Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee program, an initiative of the former Morrison-Joyce Coalition Government, puts up to $15.1 million on the table to community-based tree plantings,” Mr O’Brien said.
“These trees will be planted at Kia Ora, about 16,379km from the first Jubilee tree planted on the grounds of Windsor Castle in March to mark the launch of the Queen’s Green Canopy in the United Kingdom.
“Queen Elizabeth II has been famously enamoured with horses since she was a little girl. That a gymkhana will be held in her honour, and shade trees planted in her name to recognise her service will be a special commemoration.”
The Gymkhana, on August 14, 2022, will have a Jubilee theme to educate young riders about the Queen’s legacy and service to the Commonwealth.
“We have local and visiting riders at this event and an attendance of more than 200 people. It is fitting that a “Jubilee Gymkhana” would honour the Queen, who is herself an avid horsewoman,” Kia Ora & District Pony Club Secretary Odette Hargreaves said.
Ms Hargreaves said the $2500 grant would also fund a watering system to maintain the new trees.
“Our grounds need much more shade to protect the kids and horses,” she said.
“Whether they are riding or resting, this grant will provide the funds for native trees that provide a large shade canopy for the Kia Ora Pony Club grounds.”
Mr O’Brien said the program would create a legacy of tree planting nationwide, increasing the canopy area while celebrating Her Majesty’s Jubilee.
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