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2012 Pony Club Special... Me teaching at Holme Farm
What is the Pony Club all about? The Pony Club is an international voluntary youth organisation for young people interested in riding and ponies. Founded in England in 1929, and granted independent charitable status on 1st January 1997, there are around 345 Branches and 600 Centres in the UK alone. The Pony Club has been the starting point for a large majority of equestrian team members and medal winners.
The world’s best... Top Event riders have come up through the Pony Club and since then risen to fame becoming the world’s best.
Pippa Funnell was a member of the Eridge Branch, she first experienced major success with Sir Barnaby who took her from Pony Club to Badminton. William Fox Pitt has ridden from a young age encouraged by his mother who is the DC of the West Street Branch of The Pony Club. Younger rider, Laura Collett qualified for the Pony Club Championships on the legend that is Noble Springbok in 2003. She then went on to win the PC Championships in 2004 as a member of the Heythrop Team held at Sansaw Park, but on another ride Walnut. At just 21 years of age Laura has already won medals at Pony, Junior and Young Rider level. Laura has won 10 International 3 Day Events and is the youngest ever winner of a CCI**. Laura is the reigning Young Rider European Champion.
Monica Wragg PC Camp 2011
On a more recent and local note, Zoe Brenan, 18 from the South Notts Pony Club won the Individual Gold Medal, representing Britain as part of the Racesafe Junior Squad at the Junior Europeans in Vale Sabroso this year. Last year Zoe and her team also won the PC area championships held at Draycott where she also took the win in her section. This is what Zoe had to say “Pony Club was a brilliant way for me to learn about horses, from day one I got to do something I love with other people who share my passion. It gives you opportunities to compete and try all disciplines in a fun and safe environment. Without Pony Club I would have never found the pathway to reach my dreams!”
So what can the Pony Club offer you? The Pony Club offers such a huge range of activities for you to get involved with offering training at every discipline with top instructors. Competitions are held by each branch
so everyone can get involved. Pony Club branches are getting top venues holding ODEs over BE courses for half the price. So why not look on the website and get to your nearest event? I have been a member for over 10 years now and owe a lot to my branch, the Barlow. They have taught me so much and improved every pony and horse I have owned. I have worked my way up the efficiency tests passing my D, D+, C, C+ and B theory on first attempts. I now have my full B test which allows me to give back to the Pony Club and teach younger members which I feel is very rewarding and is what I love doing. If you fancy working your way up the levels and improving your knowledge and riding progressively then be sure to do your efficiency tests E to A. The tests are taken at recommended ages and are designed with certain objectives in mind. There are also achievement badges offering Mini Achievement Badges for younger
Me with Pokeys Puzzle 6th at Catton Park Musto qualifer
Vicky Neilson teaching
of skills like first aid, farming, map- reading, saddlery, road safety and grooming. The progressive tests, in Horsemanship and Riding and Road Sense, allow members to take tests in modules throughout the different levels.
I have represented my branch at every chance I have had and really enjoy the atmosphere of team events. I have also been to camp 6 times, this I can recommend to anyone. A week away with your friends and horse, training twice every day is such a fantastic experience. This year, the Pony Club hosted, along with Musto, a new Open Eventing league which you may have heard me talk about as I finished 5th in the overall leader- board winning a training bursary.
If eventing isn’t your thing then don’t worry, If you like Gymkhana Games and want to have lots of fun then you and your pony will love The Pony
and every year there is Area level to aim for as well as the Championships. More and more events I go to are even running non-members sections
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members as well as both equine and non-equine Achievement Badges. Both types of achievement badge will help you to learn a wide range
Holly Eyre practising mounted games
WHAT TO
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