Innisfail Horse and Pony Club

A very keen horseman named Archie Gordan first began giving pony rides to the locals in 1958 under the shade of the huge rain trees at the Innisfail show grounds. One thing led to another and Archie realised the need to encourage and provide opportunity to the local kids. They needed to enjoy and learn safely how to ride and to be good horse men and women. The need of a more professional and safe location was also realised and Archie being a man of high status within the community, acquired the land behind the racecourse from the local council.

At the time it was just scrub but with the help of volunteer parents and community members the land was cleared with dozers etc. , ready for use in 1960. The IHPC was then formed by keen parents who had meetings and having many discussions amongst themselves under the guidance of PCAQ which had then recently formed in 1959. The first clubhouse was an iron building transported over from the show society to the current grounds.

Originally it was used by a church group for serving food at the local show. In 1987 a new masonry block building (the current canteen) was built in Archie’s honour. Through the help of grants, fundraising, community support and donations as well as the tireless efforts of past members and also the current members, the pony club has achieved many great accomplishments by way of equipment, buildings, and facilities and of course producing quality riders of all levels.