Behind the Bridle: Mary O’Neill

Treasurer, horsewoman and self-described volunteer wrangler, Mary O’Neill has discovered just how much work goes on behind the scenes to keep an equestrian club running. After joining the Centennial Park Equestrian Centre (CPEC) community through her daughter’s riding journey, Mary has become an integral part of the CPEC Member’s Club Committee, helping keep its finances strong and its events running.

Mary’s introduction to horses began when her daughter spotted a show jumping event at a school fair in Bathurst in 2019. What started with riding lessons at Centennial Park soon progressed to leasing ponies, before the family bought their own pony in early 2023.

“It’s been a big learning curve, but something the whole family has really been hands-on with, and we all love horses,” she said.

Mary gradually became more involved in the CPEC Member’s Club community after joining through her daughter’s riding journey, initially helping out at events before being encouraged to join the committee and represent her pavilion. When the club’s Treasurer resigned, Mary stepped up to take on the role, drawing on her 25 years working in government, where she gained experience in project management and budgets, despite having no formal accounting experience.

Despite her fellow committee members affectionately dubbing her the club’s ‘finance queen’, Mary is quick to point out that managing the numbers is not necessarily the hardest part of the job.

“The treasury part of it is the really easy bit, but it’s getting all the volunteers to run events, that’s the hard part,” she said.

With a small committee of seven, CPEC Member’s Club relies on its members to make its monthly events possible. From setting up and packing away show jumps to managing arenas, running the kiosk and barbecue, organising prizes and keeping competitors fed and watered, there is plenty to do before, during and after each event.

 Mary has seen first-hand how much effort it takes to deliver a successful competition, and how important it is for members to play their part.

“It does take a lot of work to encourage people to sign up just for an hour or so to help out, but we certainly can’t do it without them,” she said.

For Mary, being part of the committee has also been an opportunity to learn more about the work that happens away from competition day. Alongside fundraising and event delivery, the club advocates for its members and works with Centennial Parklands management to improve facilities and balance the needs of equestrian users with the many other people who enjoy the park.

“I certainly have an appreciation of how much work this committee does, and I want people to know how much work behind the scenes people do just to put an event on, or to get some new tie-ups in the park, or get the arena graded,” she said.

That work is already delivering results. Through successful grant applications, the club has secured funding for new show jumping timers and an LED display board, as well as replacement tie-ups at the park and equestrian centre. Fundraising efforts, including sausage sizzles at monthly event nights and an annual Christmas prize draw and silent auction, also help cover event costs, including insurance and medical support.

Mary is quick to acknowledge the contribution of her fellow committee members, including President Emma Cox and Secretary Claire Roberts, who lead grant applications, and Karenesh Deely, whose fundraising and sponsorship efforts help make the club’s events possible.

For Mary, the experience has reinforced that successful clubs are built on people willing to contribute their time and skills, even when their children’s own riding journeys eventually take them elsewhere.

Mary hopes to remain involved for years to come, following the example of fellow committee members who continue volunteering long after their children have moved on, helping the club grow and supporting the community that welcomed her family into equestrian sport.

Her advice to anyone considering joining a club committee is simple: don’t be daunted by the commitment, and don’t feel you need to take on a major role straight away.

“Take up a general committee role first before you put your hand up for anything, like Treasurer or Vice President or Secretary,” she said.

“Just come into the committee, take the slow approach and learn a few new skills. If everyone gives a little bit, then it’s really not a burden on the whole group. It’s just a little bit of time from everyone, and the job gets done.”

Mary is a reminder that equestrian sport relies on more than the riders in the arena. It takes people willing to learn, lend a hand and keep things moving behind the scenes to give members a place to compete, connect and enjoy their horses.

Behind every successful club is a community of people making it happen, and we want to hear about them. Tell us about someone from your club here.