A Bit About Us

Back in August 1974 we had our first Big Valley meeting in Benalla. Nine people attended, with five apologies. Those early meetings were held all over the shop, from Benalla to Swanpool, Albury to Tocumwal and Nathalia to Shepparton. We are proud to say that motions carried out at those first meetings, over 30 years ago, helped contribute to the writing of the AQHA rule book. Then, in the early Seventies, we were the first club in Victoria to hold a closed Quarter Horse show at our grounds in Benalla. The first events held were Pleasure, Reining, Working Cow Horse, Team Roping, Cutting, Trail and Youth events. In 1980 and early 81, membership swelled and we had two A-Class shows. Both were widely acclaimed by competitors and the media. Sadly, due to dwindling finances Big Valley was not able to renew its affiliate membership in the latter half of 1981. Happier days rolled around again though. The year 1984 saw Big Valley reformed again. Three years later, in 1997, the hard work by a bunch of our most dedicated members was rewarded when Big Valley opened its own Western Arena at Benalla Racecourse. By then our membership numbers had risen to over 50. Today, we boast a membership of just over 100. The majority of members are Improver and Amateur riders. We run four AA shows per season. Our last show for the season is our three day Celebration Show in March. In 2010 we brought out an American judge to work alongside an Australian judge, thus were the first club to hold a Double AA-Double Judged show.