Elyse and her first pony, Oreo. Image supplied.
Eight-year-old Elyse can’t remember a time when she didn’t love horses. Long before she ever swung a leg over a saddle, she was the little girl who begged her mum to pull the car over whenever they drove past Sun Valley Pony Club. Not for the scenery, not for the quiet roads – but for the pony riding. She would sit in the back seat eyes wide, watching riders go past, imagining one day it might be her.
One of those drive-by moments at this club in the village of Valley Heights in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, about an hour east of Sydney, turned out to be the club’s 60th birthday celebration. Elyse still remembers it as a kind of magical sign – rows of horses, the sounds of hooves, the smell of ponies and leather. That day she decided what she already knew deep down: she was going to be a horse rider, and nothing was going to change that.
When Elyse saw Sun Valley Pony Club celebrating their 60th birthday, she knew it was a sign that she was meant to start riding! Image supplied.
“I love how every horse is different,” Elyse says. “They all have their own way of acting and being special.”
FIRST RIDE, FIRST PONY, FIRST CLUB
Her first taste of riding came on her fifth birthday, a short pony ride that ignited something bigger. But the real beginning arrived in January 2025, when her family brought home their very first pony.
Frances, Elyse’s mum, saw the love Elyse had for horses and spent two years looking for the perfect match. It was by luck that she saw an advertisement for a pony called Oreo – on Elyse’s birthday of all days.
“I was full of excitement to see the pony and I knew I was really ready to have one,” Elyse recalls. “As soon as I saw Oreo I thought he was beautiful. I ended up riding him and asked Sav, the owner, some questions about him and we ended up buying Oreo and Sav’s float to take him home with us that very same day.”
“As soon as I saw Oreo
I thought he was beautiful.”
This was all new to the family. Whilst Frances had always loved horses, the only experience she had was from a weekend away in Glenworth Valley, which is where Miss Olivia stepped in. “Miss Olivia was the foundation of what we know. She was an absolute blessing because we didn’t even know the basics,” Frances shares. After doing lessons with Miss Olivia for months, Elyse was ready to start at Sun Valley Pony Club.
Frances spotted Oreo in an advert on Elyse’s birthday. Image supplied.
LEARNING, LAUGHING & LOVING IT
Even before she owned a pony, Sun Valley felt like home. When Elyse finally joined in March 2025, it didn’t take long before she was absorbed into the rhythm of club days – days filled with riding, learning, laughing and lunch breaks she proudly declares are “the best ever”. She found kind instructors, supportive older riders, and a group of friends who helped her grow stronger and more confident each week. Pony Club quickly became the centre of her world.
“It helps me learn what
things I need to work on so
I can get stronger and better.”
“We ride every second Sunday from morning until afternoon,” Elyse says. “It helps me learn what things I need to work on so I can get stronger and better. I’ve made lots of friends and we all help each other in so many ways. We do fundraisers where I got to bake banana bread, I’ve helped in the canteen, and one where we all wore blue for Dolly, another girl who loved horses. I get to do sporting events, and we learn what to do at horse shows.”
FORGING A PARTNERSHIP
According to Elyse, “Oreo is such a special pony because he’s fluffy in winter, super speedy and he loves sporting events as much as I do. He is two different colours and looks like a real Oreo cookie,” she smiles. “He is also very special because he takes care of me and is my partner and we have a good bond.”
Left: Frances, Elyse and Oreo at a Pony Club event. Right: Elyse and Oreo having fun jumping at Sun Valley Pony Club. Images supplied..
This sentiment is echoed by Frances: “He’s a true unicorn. His bond with Elyse is remarkable to see. He’s such a good boy, easy to do everything with and adores Elyse. He’s a senior boy [just turned 20] but that doesn’t slow him down. He’s one of a kind and a huge part of our life and family.”
Together Oreo and Elyse have fun taking part in all types of activities, their favourite being anytime they can go fast. “Oreo is a speed demon like me!” Elyse smiles. “He loves to go fast, especially at bending through poles and jumping. I love it when he breaks into canter because it feels so smooth and he goes extra fast.”
Their goal for 2026 is to be off-lead and start entering off-lead competitions.
Elyse and Oreo riding with friends. Image supplied.
This little pony has truly made Elyse’s dreams come true, and when asked to write a poem at school, Elyse chose to write one about Oreo:
Elyse reading her poem at Pony Club. Image supplied.
ODE TO OREO
Oreo’s black, white, and has a dash of brown,
The friendliest pony for miles around.
He lives in the hills of the mountains high,
Where gum trees sway and the clouds drift by.
He’s in his twenties, still full of cheer,
The best little pony, year after year!
At Sun Valley Pony Club we ride and play,
And I groom him almost every day.
He flicks his tail, his eyes shine bright,
He loves a cuddle every single night.
Old or young, he’s full of cheer,
The best pony year after year!
Oreo’s heart is big and true,
And Sun Valley Pony Club loves him too.
On competition days he looks grand,
Tail neatly braided, rosette in hand.
He trots in the ring with a steady glow,
Moving so neatly, calm and slow.
Sometimes he gallops as fast as the breeze,
Other times he rests under tall, green trees.
His hooves go clip-clop on the soft, warm ground,
The happiest pony that we have found.
He stands so still when friends arrive,
Then perks right up and feels alive.
He loves the paddock, fresh and green,
It’s the nicest place he’s ever been.
He loves crunchy pears, but carrots will do,
And nuzzles your pocket for one or two.
His coat smells sweet from the sunshine’s touch,
We love our Oreo, oh so very much.
At Blue Mountains Grammar, I learn and play,
But Oreo’s my joy in so many ways.
At Sun Valley Pony Club, with friends so dear,
We cheer for Oreo, our champion each year!
With a heart so gentle and a spirit so free,
He’s the happiest pony you’ll ever see.
Through every season, in sun or rain,
Our love for Oreo will never change. EQ
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