Everything Horse magazine Everything Horse UK Magazine, November 2014 | Page 14

EQUESTRIAN NEWS: THE PONY CLUB

News from ...

THE PONY CLUB

Warwickshire Hunt Win The
Pony Club Prince Philip Cup!
The Warwickshire Hunt Branch of The
Pony Club have won the Virbac 3D
Worming Prince Philip Cup after five nail
biting days competition at the Horse of
the Year Show (HOYS).

but the loudest cheers were for the
novelty games such as the '3D Worming'
race where one team member is dressed
as a worm and raced over the line in a
wheelbarrow!

The Warwickshire Hunt team, consisting
of Kieran Tuttiett (15), Isabella HolmanWest (15), Zack Mallalieu (15), Jess Wild
(15), Ella Clark (14) and Pete Fielding
(13), were runners up last year, but went
one better in 2014 to clinch victory in a
thrill ing final on a score of 121 points;
narrowly beating Mounted Games
stalwarts Sir Watkin Williams Wynn’s.
Four other teams, including the Eglington
Hunt, West Hants, Wylye Valley and
newcomers to the Prince Philip Cup
Romney Marsh, qualified to compete
at HOYS after battling it out at the Area
competitions.

Lisa Davis, trainer for the Warwickshire
Hunt team was delighted with the win
and commented “We are absolutely
over the moon, and the whole week has
been wonderful from start to finish! The
win means the world to the Members,
especially as some of them are coming
towards the end of their Pony Club
Mounted Games careers.”

The final on Sunday evening at HOYS
captivated the crowds, with the teams
giving it their all, thrilling spectators with
some very close finishes. Classic games
such as the Stepping Stone race tested
the Members’ control and athleticism,
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The Pony Club Mounted Games is
a competition requiring courage,
determination and all round riding
ability. The concept of the competition
was first introduced by HRH The Duke
of Edinburgh KG KT, who suggested
that Cavalry competitions could be
adapted for young riders on ponies in
an entertaining and visually engaging
format. The first competitions were held
in 1957 and the winner received the
coveted Prince Philip Challenge Trophy.

The Results
Are In For The
Pony Club Likit
Open Eventing
League

The Pony Club Open Eventing League,
generously sponsored by Likit, has reached
its conclusion for 2014. Over 30 Likit Open
Eventing League competitions have been
held all over the country since March,
accommodating hundreds of Pony Club
horse and rider combinations across them.
The winner of the Likit Open Eventing
League for 2014 is Katherine Mason, from
the West Norfolk Branch of The Pony Club.
Katherine, aged 15, amassed a total of 24
points with her horse Fernhill By Design
(Buzz) and will benefit from the top prize of
a day’s training with successful event rider
John-Paul Sheffield and a very smart rug
courtesy of Likit!
“I was over the moon when I found out
I had won, it just shows that all the hard
work pays off!” comments Catherine.
“Buzz and I have been in partnership for a
couple of years, I got him with the hope of
reaching Pony Club Open level and he has
guided me through and taught me so much
over the past two seasons. I would also like
to say a big well done to everyone else in
the Likit Open Eventing League; especially
to my fellow team mate Annabel Lyles for
finishing second, go West Norfolk!”

for tenth place, and also a smart rug. A
presentation day has been arranged at
4* event rider Francis Whittington’s yard,
where winners will enjoy a yard tour and
lecture demo from Francis before receiving
their Likit Open Eventing League prizes.
Pony Club Branches whose events include
an Open (1.10m) Class, are eligible to
register for the League with entrants
gaining points for places and double clear
rounds. The horse and rider combination
with the highest number of points at
the end of the season wins, with further
placings being awarded to 10th place.
“Since it started the aim of the Likit Open
Eventing League has been to encourage as
many Members as possible to compete at
Open Level events, whether organised by
their own Branch or by others” comments
Liz Lyle, Chairman of Pony Club Eventing.
“It continues to achieve this and promotes
some great healthy competition along the
way!”
Based in Scotland, Open League sponsor
Likit manufacture a wide range of stable
toys and treats. Brand Manager, Lindsay
Gall comments “This is our third year
supporting this amazing competition and
we are so proud of all the competitors and
their horses and ponies that have entered
this year. The Pony Club remains at the
forefront of young rider development and
we are delighted to continue to support
such a worthwhile organisation”.

Winners down the line to 10th place will
also receive training bursary amounts,
from £200 for second place down to £50

Nine Pleasing
Passes for The
Pony Club ‘A’
Test

unknown horses on the flat, over show
jumps and cross-country fences during the
exam, as well as demonstrating a practical
knowledge of lunging to improve a horse's
way of going and training young horses.
The Test is on a level with the BHS stage 4
riding and horse care exam.

The Pony Club A Tests have enjoyed a
pleasing pass rate for 2014, with nine
of the 15 Members who took the Test
gaining the prestigious award. The A
Test is the highest available within The
Pony Club Efficiency Test structure,
is recognised worldwide and helps
open many doors for progression in an
equestrian career.

For the first time this year, candidates who
did not pass one of the four sections of
the A Test were permitted to retake that
half of the Test than the full Test, in order
to try to gain a pass; both candidates who
benefitted from this new initiative passed
the Test on their second attempt.

Tests were held in both the Spring
and Autumn, across the venues of
Warwickshire College, Brampton Stables
and Talland School of Equitation. A Test
candidates have to ride a number of

Everything Horse UK Magazine • Issue 14 • November 2014

“The introduction of a modular retake
has allowed candidates to really focus on
the areas they needed to improve and
is being proven in the resulting passes”
comments William Blane, Chairman of
Training. “I have been very impressed with
how candidates retaking the Test have

Young
Equestrians
Launches
at Turbury
Equisport
Saturday 11th October saw the launch
of the latest Young Equestrians group at
Turbury Equisport in West Yorkshire.
A social and training programme for
young people, Young Equestrians was
launched at The Pony Club Championships
in August and aims to provide 13-18 year
olds with the opportunity to connect and
re-engage with equestrian sport through
a fun and informal hub offered at local
riding schools.
The Young Equestrians group at
Turbury Equisport is coordinated by
riding instructor Natalie Sweeney, who
welcomed the initial six participants on
Saturday starting with few 'ice breakers'
followed by a 45 minute ridd en sessions
and then some learning towards the
British Horse Society’s (BHS) Riding School
Assistant qualification.
“Our first Young Equestrians session went
very well, and we spent quite a lot of
time just helping those involved to get to
know one another” commented Natalie.
“Young Equestrians provides the perfect
stepping stone for those who are feeling
a little too old for Pony Club activities but

really taken on board the feedback they
have received from assessors and have
worked at improving their weaker skills and
building on their strengths to achieve their
A Test.”
Emma Brown, aged 23 from the East
Antrim Branch, passed the A Test with
Honours this Autumn and commented “I
am so pleased that I have passed my A Test,
and even more so with Honours!”. “I have
worked hard to achieve the Test; I have
had a lot of congratulations since passing
and even a couple of extra teaching jobs,
which is great. It has really helped boost my
confidence in my ability!”
As well as having support from her parents
throughout her 18 years as a Pony Club
Member, Emma was coached by Rachelle
Harding BHSAI. “I had quite a bad injury
a few years back and Rachelle has helped
me get back to the standard of riding

November 2014 • Issue 14 • Everything Horse UK Magazine

are not yet adults either and I am hoping
to find a good group of teens who I can
really coach into their next stage of the
equestrian world”.
Participants can log their sessions at www.
youngequestrians.club, where they can
record their activities and achievements
as well as access training materials offered
by The Pony Club.
Originally developed by Hoof, the
British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF)
participation programme, the Young
Equestrians scheme, is being delivered
through The Pony Club and will target
riding schools across England. Thanks to
Sport England funding, Young Equestrians
will provide participants with more choice
and freedom in how they take part in
equestrianism, as well as providing a
focus on skill development.
Riding schools who deliver the
programme will be given access to virtual
tools to help them establish their Young
Equestrians club that include example
session plans, marketing materials and a
host of different ideas on how to retain
teenagers in equestrian sport.
If you are a riding school or young person
and want more information on how to get
involved in the programme please visit
www.youngequestrians.club.

required for the A Test” comments Emma.
“Rachelle has encouraged me and pushed
me the whole time, and I could not have
passed without her.” Emma, previously
a restaurant Manager before deciding
to work with horses full time, hopes to
continue working in the equine industry
including staying involved with The Pony
Club.
William Blane FBHS, Chairman of Pony
Club Training, comments further “I am
delighted with the standard of the riding
and level of horsemanship this year, both
in the successful candidates and those who
were not quite to the standard on the day;
it really reflects the amount of hard work
and time that goes into training for this
prestigious Test.”
For further details of the ‘A’ Test or other
Pony Club Tests, activities and membership
see the website www.pcuk.org or contact
02476 698300.
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