Mrs Baker was awarded the life membership to the Camden Haven PAH & I Society Inc at an annual general meeting on November 15.

She was selected for her outstanding service to the Society and equestrian sport in the Camden Haven over the last 44 years.

"I've been in pony club my whole life and the kids have all been in it. When you're helping the pony club you also help hold the shows too, because we try to help the show society where we can," she said.

"The pony club runs all the ring events at the show such as the show jumping and things.

"It's a friendship and community, we're all helping each other so that everybody wins. I loved seeing the kids and grand kids grow up in that community.

"We could only hold pony club meets once a month this year with pretty much no competition. We're hopeful we will come back bigger and better than ever next year and hopefully the show will take off as well.

"I thank the committee for the award, I was very touched and it was very nice."

Read more: 2020 Camden Haven Show cancelled due to uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions

Mrs Baker, president of the Camden Haven Pony Club, said she has always had a love of horses and recalls her time as the first lady jockey on the Mid North Coast.

"I've always been keen on horses and I was lucky enough to be small enough to become a jockey," she said.

"My first race was in 1981 at Port Macquarie and it was very special. It was pretty hard because the girls weren't' recognised at that time and it was totally different to becoming one today.

"The young fellas taught me pretty well, but it was just the old fellas that couldn't handle it for a little while.

"Being in that first race was terrifying but it was fantastic at the same time, and it felt as if everyone was looking at you as the first girl taking part."