Victoria’s Lili Taylor is part of the Pony Club Australia team set to contest the reimagined 2025 Inter-Pacific Exchange. Image by Rathenau Photography.
The Inter-Pacific Exchange (IPE) returns to Victoria in 2025, bringing together Pony Club riders from Australia, USA, Canada, and New Zealand for two weeks of competition and cultural exchange from 21 September to 5 October in Little River, Victoria.
This year introduces a reimagined format celebrating horsemanship, teamwork, and cultural connection: riders will partner with off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTs), train intensively, and represent their nations in showcase competitions — the 6-Bar Jumping Challenge (1 October) and the Nations Cup Team Tournament (3 October).
“The Inter-Pacific Exchange has such a long history dating back to the 1960’s,” explains PCA’s IPE Coordinator Erin McGavin. “The more people I speak to, the more I hear their IPE stories — some going back 30 years. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you for life.”
The program runs concurrently with the Ranvet 20205 Pony Club Australia National Championships, a vision of Event Director Michelle Newham, who wanted to combine the events to showcase the Pony Club International Alliance and the opportunities that Pony Club provides for all levels of rider.
For Australia, the Exchange will be a proving ground and a learning lab all at once for Matilda Seppelt (NSW), Britney Cooper (TAS), Caitlin Pritchard (WA) and Lili Taylor (VIC), with Jade Binns (TAS) as reserve. The team will be guided by Victorian coach J’Aime Mallon (VIC) and supported by team manager Janet Hamblin (NSW). Riders, aged 17–26, were selected through Pony Club Australia, requiring at least a B Certificate, jumping and eventing experience, and the ability to ride a range of horses.
Tasmania’s Britney Cooper, a long-time member of Leven Pony Club. Image by Caitlin How Photography.
As the Australians prepare to don the green and gold, their individual paths point directly to the Exchange’s focus on horsemanship and adaptability. Tasmania’s Britney Cooper, a long-time member of Leven Pony Club, comes in as a dedicated OTT rider. She currently campaigns Another Dollar and her “heart horse” Elusive Dreamer and has hands-on experience from her time with Trinder Racing. Having already represented Tasmania six times in her Pony Club career, she’s eager for both the national colours and the friendships the Exchange fosters.
“I’m really excited to ride
in the green and gold…”
Caitlin Pritchard of King River Pony Club is looking forward to the Exchange. Image by Vicki Tapper Photography.
“I love OTTs…”
From Western Australia, Caitlin Pritchard joined King River Pony Club in 2009 at just six years old and will make her first Inter-Pacific team appearance. She rides Baylaurel Whiskey (a nine-year-old OTT) and Tyrooki Slim Shady (a 12-year-old Andalusian x Thoroughbred), and she also works in a racing stable — experience that dovetails with the IPE’s OTT emphasis. After competing interstate at Interschool Nationals (2017–2019), she’s relishing the step up to international representation via PCA and the chance to meet the team’s horses and compete abroad.
Victoria’s Lili Taylor joined Riddells Creek Pony Club in 2015 at age ten, beginning on a lease pony before developing strong partnerships with Oscar T (Ozzie) — progressing to Prix St Georges — and Van Eyk Somerset (Tommy), who she’s bringing along across the jumping disciplines. Lili has also benefited from riding Williams Dreaming, a seasoned eventer who built her confidence at higher show jumping levels. Although this is her first IPE team, she has already represented Australia in the 2024 Pony Club International Virtual Dressage Competition. Having worked with and supported the training of OTTs, she values their athleticism and work ethic and is looking forward to meeting riders from around the world, sharing stories and creating memories.
“I am so excited
to compete on the
Australian team…”
Matilda Seppelt of Londonderry Pony Club will contest this year’s Exchange. Image by Shelle Smith Photography/Elegant Exposures.
From New South Wales, Matilda Seppelt has been part of Londonderry Pony Club for more than 20 years, joining at just four years old. She competes with Audi (TAE Caspia) across eventing, showjumping and dressage. While this is her first IPE team, Matilda brings extensive OTT experience through work with Sam and Nicky Lyle at Lyle Equestrian, DPR Horsemanship, and racing stables including Paul Cave and Martha Brister’s Curragh Lodge. One Thoroughbred she helped retrain, Dawny, is now successfully eventing with her sister. As an instructor at her club, she’s passionate about balancing horse welfare with rider safety and is keen to bring home insights from the Exchange to support the next generation.
“I am most looking forward
to gaining more knowledge…”
Top show jumper Jess Barton will be selecting and preparing OTTs for the Inter-Pacific Exchange. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
REIMAGINING THE INTER-PACIFIC EXCHANGE — WITH EMPATHY AT ITS CORE
For Pony Club Australia, the 2025 Inter-Pacific Exchange is about much more than ribbons, scores, or even competition. It’s about reshaping tradition, honouring Pony Club’s values, and giving riders — and horses — a different kind of opportunity.
This year Inter – Pacific Exchange marks a bold departure from the past. While cultural exchange and international friendship remain at its heart, Pony Club Australia has introduced a new format that places empathy, horsemanship, and the journey of training at the centre.
“We saw an opportunity to provide something different,” Erin McGavin says. “Not only to showcase our amazing off-the-track horses and some of Australia’s best trainers, but also to give riders a chance to ride for fun, with empathy, and without expectation. We want them to just enjoy the process, without the pressure of a final, outcome-driven goal.”
That philosophy will be real for Britney, Caitlin, Lili and Matilda every day of the programme. All riders will be partnered with OTTs retrained and prepared through Jessica Pateman of Barton Equine. A successful show jumper who also works as an head trainer Pateman Racing, Jess Pateman has a long history with Thoroughbreds — dating back to her childhood in Warrnambool.
“We saw an opportunity to
provide something different..”
SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS — FOR HORSES AND RIDERS
OTTs can be an excellent choice for experienced Pony Club riders — provided they are set up for success both during their career on the track and then through careful retraining after retirement.
“Something the general riding public don’t always realise is just how much work goes into many of these horses before they even race,” Erin notes. “If given the chance and correct schooling, they can be set up for long-term success in life after racing.”
Partnerships with Racing Victoria’s Off the Track, Barton Equine, Lever Equestrian, Equitation Science International along with Hairy Pony, Pryde’s EasiFeed, and New Town Saddlery have made the new format possible. Horses will be independently vetted, carefully matched with riders, and supported with professional saddlery and feed — the same infrastructure that underpins the Australians’ preparation and the welfare-first goals of the Exchange.
The Exchange has traditionally been a case of riders flying in, having a small window for horse familiarisation, then competing. This year, they’ll spend two weeks in an intensive riding and training program. They’ll learn from coaches like current Australian Show Jumping Champion Phil Lever and Equitation Science expert Dr. Andrew McLean, ride some exceptional horses, and, most importantly, grow as horsemen and horsewomen.
Victorian J’Aime Mallon will coach the Australian team at this year’s Inter-Pacific Exchange. Image supplied.
For the Australian team, that two-week training bubble aligns with their aims. As they progress towards the two showcase events, they’ll be balancing learning with performance, drawing on their OTT backgrounds (Britney and Caitlin), their mixed-discipline experience (Lili), and their coaching and retraining insight (Matilda).
“Every rider knows it can feel like one step forward, three steps back when it comes to training horses,” Erin says. “But if we can shift the focus from the competition goal towards the process and the joy of riding — even through setbacks — that’s a lesson that lasts a lifetime.”
Even the Nations Cup, the pinnacle of the Exchange, will reflect collaboration rather than pressure.
Teams will sit down together and collectively decide the course height, ensuring every combination is catered for.
GUIDANCE FROM THE GROUND — COACHING IN CONTEXT
It will also be coach J’Aime Mallon’s first involvement in the IPE. A former Pony Club rider herself, she represented Australia in 2018 at an international competition in France, where her team placed sixth. Having aged out of Pony Club just two years ago, she’s excited to coach — and especially thrilled that this year’s Exchange is in her home state.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting and helping our riders get the most out of every opportunity and to improve their riding,” says J’Aime. “It’s going to be so exciting to see them progress into the competition at the end of the Exchange as well as experience the sights of Victoria while they are here.”
She also sees the benefits well beyond the saddle:
“From personal experience, it’s not only going to improve their riding but also their social skills. It’s an amazing opportunity to be in a training bubble for two weeks and see their hard work in real time, while also getting to know riders from other nations and making lifelong friends.”
JOURNEY FIRST, DESTINATION SECOND
In the end, Erin believes the redesigned Exchange perfectly reflects Pony Club’s values of resilience, empathy, teamwork and leadership.
“It’s about the journey, not just the destination,” she says. “And I’ll be honest — I’m a little jealous. If I were one of these riders, I’d be absolutely thrilled to be involved.”
Hosted by Pony Club Australia, the 2025 Inter-Pacific Exchange will run 21 September to 5 October in Little River, Victoria.
Related articles
With the 2024/25 National Pony Racing Series in full swing, riders are relishing the opportunity to hone their skills on the track. However, it’s not about satisfying a need for speed: the series places emphasis on a harmonious partnership between jockey and steed, while also showcasing the equine career opportunities available to young horse lovers.
Freya Inggs’ journey with horses and Pony Club is one of resilience, patience, and personal growth. From her early days at Riding for the Disabled in Darwin to becoming a cherished member of Canberra Riding Club Pony Club (CRC), Freya has faced challenges that many might shy away from. But it’s her connection with horses, particularly her partnership with her horse Captain Jack Sparrow, that has been her grounding force.