There is more to this quiet pastoral town than scenic charm. Locals are keen on their sport, golf on a picturesque 18-hole course, horse riding, and polocrosse, and Kojonup is home to Western Australia's very first polocrosse club. If you or your family enjoy horse riding, you are in luck: there are several clubs to visit, events to catch and lessons to book. Consider folding these local highlights into a Kojonup scenic drives road trip for a well-rounded visit.
Things to do
Horse Riding in Kojonup
Kojonup offers visitors a wonderful chance to experience Australia's authentic rural way of life. Our thriving country town sits among farmland and native bushland 250km southeast of Perth on the Albany Highway, about three hours' drive, and horses are woven right through its sporting life.
First in WA Polocrosse was first played in Kojonup in 1950, a year after Bob Russell formed the state's first club here.
Every age and level The pony club grades riders from leadline through to advanced, and the polocrosse club coaches juniors 16 and under.
Learn while you visit Riding lessons are easy to arrange here. Allow at least two days of your stay to get the most from them.
Where the riders are
Top Kojonup horse-riding clubs to check out
Horse riding in Kojonup caters to different ages, skill levels and sport types. Here are the groups to look up before you arrive.
For the kids
Kojonup Pony Club
If your kids are curious about horses, let them explore. Joining the pony club is one of the best ways to introduce children to riding, with a rally once a month and riders grouped by skill: leadline, first ridden, intermediate and advanced.
- Monthly rallies for all levels of riding
- Outings to events like the Wagin Woolorama
- Riding camps teaching flatwork, jumping and vaulting positions, plus polocrosse skills
The original
Kojonup Polo and Polocrosse Club
Polocrosse is a team sport developed in Australia, and it was first played in Kojonup in 1950, after Bob Russell formed the Kojonup Polo and Polocrosse Club a year earlier, the first in Western Australia.
- Based at "Wandecla", 30km west of the townsite
- Training every Sunday leading into the polocrosse season
- Coaching in racket skills, horse preparation, umpiring and horsemanship, including juniors 16 and under
Horsemanship
Great Southern Savvy Seekers
A branch of the Kojonup Equestrian Club made up of local horse owners who follow the Parelli Program, building the bond between horse and rider through its 8 principles, 7 games, 5 zones and "4 savvies".
- Play day every second Sunday of most months
- Clinics and workshops with visiting professional Parelli instructors
On the calendar
Kojonup horse-riding events
Every year, Kojonup and the surrounding districts hold races and other horse-riding events. Whether you ride in them or just come to watch, they are a great excuse to time your visit around.
Mid-February
Wandecla Picnic Races
Join the locals every year in mid-February for an action-packed day at the Wandecla Picnic Races, complete with a champagne and chicken lunch. There is something for every family member: live music, a Dash for Cash, Fashions on the Field and free entertainment for the kids.
Annual
Kojonup Agricultural Show
The Kojonup P&A Society's annual Kojonup Agricultural Show is an energetic, colourful community day for kids and adults alike. Past programs have featured working equitation classes and an equestrian course walk alongside log chopping, chainsaw carving, dog jumping, cooking classes and flower arranging. Check the show website for this year's dates.
Never ridden before?
Kojonup horse-riding classes
Excited about the events but yet to learn to ride? No need to worry, getting riding lessons is quite easy in this neck of the woods. All you need to do is set aside at least two days of your time in Kojonup for lessons.
Glendale Grazing Riding School is a popular choice with visitors. You can also ask for recommendations at your accommodation: locals know the best person for the job and will happily point you in the right direction. The Kojonup Pony Club and the Kojonup Polo and Polocrosse Club offer riding lessons as well; get in touch with the club secretary for schedules and fees.
Keep the ride going
Make a full country weekend of it
Trail riding
Exploring Kojonup's Trails on Horseback
Clubs and arenas are only half the story. Our trail guide covers riding out through the bushland, springs and heritage country around town.
Scenic drives
Kojonup's Scenic Drives and Road Trip Routes
Between rides, take the car through the farmland and bush the district is known for, with routes that suit a spare morning or a full day.
Rest well between rides
Stay in Kojonup at Cornwall House
We want your stay in Kojonup to be as memorable as the riding, and at Cornwall House Accommodation we are dedicated to making it warm and comfortable. Our 12 air-conditioned, non-smoking rooms sit right on the Albany Highway in the centre of town, an easy drive from the clubs and event grounds, and suit both business travellers and holidaymakers.
Reception is open 9am to 3pm weekdays and 9am to 2pm weekends, with contactless check-in from 2pm. Riding lessons ran late or the picnic races kept you out? Call us on (08) 9831 0214 or email stay@cornwallhouseaccommodation.com.au and we will sort out your arrival.
Before you saddle up
Questions riders ask about Kojonup
Can I learn to ride a horse while visiting Kojonup?
Yes. Glendale Grazing Riding School is a popular choice with visitors, and the Kojonup Pony Club and the Kojonup Polo and Polocrosse Club offer riding lessons too. Set aside at least two days of your stay for lessons, and contact the club secretary for schedules and fees.
Is there horse riding for children in Kojonup?
Yes. The Kojonup Pony Club holds a rally once a month and caters to all levels, grouping kids by skill from leadline and first ridden through to intermediate and advanced. Members also attend events like the Wagin Woolorama and riding camps that teach flatwork, jumping and vaulting positions.
What is polocrosse, and why is Kojonup known for it?
Polocrosse is a team sport on horseback that was developed in Australia. Kojonup is home to Western Australia's very first polocrosse club: Bob Russell formed the Kojonup Polo and Polocrosse Club in 1949 and the first game was played here in 1950. The club trains every Sunday leading into the polocrosse season.
Where is the Kojonup Polo and Polocrosse Club?
The club is based at "Wandecla", 30 kilometres west of the Kojonup townsite. It also runs coaching sessions at carnivals covering racket skills, horse preparation, umpiring and horsemanship, with junior coaching for riders 16 and under.
When are Kojonup's horse-riding events held?
The Wandecla Picnic Races run every year in mid-February, and the Kojonup P&A Society holds the annual Kojonup Agricultural Show, which has featured working equitation classes and an equestrian course walk in past programs. Check the show website for this year's dates, and the polocrosse club's Sunday training runs in the lead-up to the season.
