More vandalism, frustration for Katanning Pony Club

The Katanning Pony Club has been vandalised for the second time in a month, leaving the club reeling at the destruction caused.

The first case of vandalism occurred early last month, when vandals caused an estimated $50,000 damage to the course by cutting down the jumps. Another case was discovered at the weekend.

Club treasurer Debbie Perkins said they had been checking the course every weekend since the first lot of damage was done, and they could not believe more jumps had been destroyed.

“This time it is only a couple of poles. Our club is really small, we have eight riding members and 10 non-riding members, so for us to be able to fix this course we have to raise a lot of money,” she said.

“The jumps that were taken last time, they were old but they were still useable and now because of the safety regulations we have to have it certified before we can use it.

“We can’t run our one-day event any more because half our course is gone.

“It is devastating because a lot of those jumps were put together with donations from members who are no longer with us.“

The club had planned to host its first fundraising effort, a camp, at the weekend but it was cancelled because of bad weather.

After the club raises the funds to rebuild, it will have to hire a course builder to construct the course to meet regulations.

She said the club was situated on an A Class reserve, which means people were not allowed to cut wood from the reserve anyway.

“If they are cutting the timber to use for wood for a fire, it’s dangerous because the wood has been treated for white ants,” Ms Perkins said.

“The jumps they have taken are jumps that are used.”

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au.