Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour: The Sweep that keeps on giving

Drawn through the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour National Sweep, Harden Pony Club had been randomly allocated Knight’s Choice’s barrier, a lucky number that delivered more than just a Cup connection. It brought with it a $50,000 prize for the club and some unforgettable experiences. 

Courtney Jones, President of the Harden Pony Club, was trackside at Flemington with her husband Ashley when the moment of triumph arrived. “I looked up at the screen and saw ‘Number 11.’ I turned to Ash and said, ‘That’s us!’” she recalled. “It was unbelievable. Winning it for the community was such an incredible feeling.” 

Earlier in the year, it was Jones’s mother who encouraged the club to enter the sweep after spotting it on the Today Show. Jones was hesitant at first, but her mum’s insistence that “it wouldn’t hurt to try” proved to be a stroke of luck she’s now incredibly grateful for. 

That decision set in motion an incredible journey that saw the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup visit Harden for a community celebration that brought people of all ages together.

From pony rides and market stalls to appearances by the local Light Horse troop and even racing commentator Greg Miles arriving in a horse-drawn carriage, the day was a tribute to the town’s vibrant spirit. 

Despite grim weather, locals turned out in droves to see the Cup and take part in festivities. “The community still came out to support it and to see and hold the Cup,” Jones said.  

 The Cup also made stops at local aged-care homes, where residents were thrilled to see the iconic trophy. Later that evening, a dinner at the Harden Country Club brought together over 80 guests for a night of memories and laughter. Pony Club members served as waitstaff, while Greg Miles delighted the crowd with a mock race call featuring horses named after club members. 

But the fairytale didn’t end there. 

As if winning the sweep and hosting the Cup weren’t enough, the Harden Pony Club had one more surprise in store – when none other than Sheila Laxon herself came to officially open their 2025 camp earlier this year. 

Laxon, now a two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer (her first came in 2001 with the champion mare Ethereal), made the trip to Harden Showground, Cup in hand.

She met with local riders and their families, sharing stories, posing for photos and offering inspiration to the next generation of horse lovers. 

Her visit was the perfect way to kick off the club’s much-anticipated annual camp, which brought together riders, families and coaches for two days of fun, learning and new experiences. 

The camp featured a packed program, including polocrosse clinics, cross country challenges, dressage sessions and even a tetrathlon event, which combines showjumping, running, swimming and laser shooting. The event was a hit with riders of all levels and added a fresh new element to the weekend. 

And what of the $50,000 prize? The club now has its sights set on an ambitious but transformative goal: building a covered all-weather arena. “An undercover arena would be transformative,” Jones said. “It would enable us to host bigger events and support the broader NSW equestrian community. This prize gives us a fantastic foundation, and with additional grants, we can make it happen.”