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In November 1953, Diana Basset-Smith, a keen horse person, invited a number of like-minded people to meet at Lavender Park in Eltham, her mother’s home. Lavender Park overlooked part of the Eltham Lower Park (ELP), which was destined to become the future home of the Eltham District Horse and Pony Club. The Club was formed as a result of that meeting and has occupied the same site continuously since that time.
In 1954, the Club, along with four other clubs, formed the Pony Club Association of Victoria (PCAV). Since those early days the PCAV has grown to represent around 200 clubs and over 8,000 members. Diana realised there was a need for a riding club by way of teaching the many young riders and horse enthusiasts living in the district as much as possible about horses, riding and horsemastership.
She no doubt envisaged the character-shaping and many other benefits this would bring to the younger community, but did she envisage that so many years on, the club that she and her friends created would reach the heights of achievement which have been realised by the Eltham District Horse and Pony Club.