Thieves strike dormant Pony Club

TWO break-ins at the Bremer Pony Club since Christmas were just another blow equine influenza (EI) had caused club president Allen Zahnow said.

Mr Zahnow said opportunistic louts targeted club property because it had been vacant since last year's horse flu outbreak.
The club's premises on South Deebing Creek Road have been empty of youth and horses since August.
Sometime between mid-December and the new year, vandals broke into the pony club's shed, ransacking the canteen.
Then, on Wednesday night thieves broke into the shed again, this time taking more than $1000 worth of public address equipment, including speakers and microphones.
Mr Zahnow said the thieves cut locks, chains and bolts to access the shed.
"This is just annoying," Mr Zahnow said.
"It is part of the impact of EI on our pony club that most people wouldn't expect.
"Because we've been empty since the horse flu struck we've been hit by thieves.
"It just doesn't seem fair."
Scenes of Crime police officers attended the property yesterday.
Mr Zahnow said the club officially closed last September, just days before the Pony Club Association of Queensland cancelled the remainder of the year's schedule for the 245 clubs statewide.
He said he didn't expect the Bremer Pony Club to be back in operation until February or March.
Mr Zahnow, of Redbank Plains, said he only visited the club grounds to keep the grass maintained.
He suspected the thieves gained access to the property through bushland, which leads to Ripley Road, at the rear of the club grounds.
"The front gates here were locked so people have obviously come in the back way," he said.
Yesterday Mr Zahnow resolved to lock the club up "better than ever".
"It is just disappointing, after all the bad luck with EI, to have this happen as well," Mr Zahnow said.
"We don't really keep much here, and we'll be keeping even less here now after this theft."
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.