IN THE SADDLE
This month saw Chipping Pony Club members returning from competitions in the Isle of Man and joining the Vale of Lune Harriers for the closing meet of the season, write Sarah Gibb. Photography: Nick Gill Photography
Back from a fabulous weekend in the Isle of Man, Chipping Pony Club’s Horse and Pony Care and Quiz teams were more than ready for a rest, after what was an incredibly successful and fun filled couple of days!
The Isle of Man Pony Club were superb hosts, spoiling the members with fabulous venues to take part in the Area 4 Horse and Pony Care Competition, which saw Chipping’s two junior teams and one senior team put through their paces in theory and practical knowledge answering questions on preparing a horse for a polo match, foot care and shoeing along with illnesses and ailments! They all did the club proud in a hard competition with over 25 teams taking part – both junior teams worked amazingly well, with the older junior team coming second in the competition. The seniors won their competition and will now go off to the National Championships at Chomondley Castle in August. A huge well done to all and to the fabulous coaches Vic Hargreaves and Jo Fell.
On the Saturday night Chipping members attended a ceilidh at King Williams College with music and dancing.
Great fun was had by all, and this was followed by another competition the Area 4 Quiz. So while parents were busy sightseeing around the beautiful island, the teams were hard at work answering questions ranging from:
1. Which system provides your horse with hormones?
2. What is a bull neck?
3. How many vertebrae is in a horse’s tail?
(Answers at the end)
Both teams were great, in what was a very difficult quiz with Chipping’s seniors coming third.
The half term break saw farrier Steve Ronskey taking members through their ‘Farrier’ badge – they all learnt so much and proudly went away after a long cold day with another achievement badge. Thank you Steve for your time and expertise and Paula Kopydlowski for hosting us and providing hot drinks!
The Thursday of the holiday was a Working Rally day which was well attended with Chipping’s chief instructor Sarah Etteridge and Verena Bower taking the children for both flatwork and show jumping training.
Many members from Chipping joined the Vale of Lune Harriers’ closing meet when the sun shone but the wind was bitterly cold. Totally unfazed by the elements, they stayed out until 4pm, getting the most of the last hunt of season.
Training nights are in full swing although the Arctic weather has been a hindrance. The club has had to cancel anything that may be potentially dangerous, so members are all hoping for milder weather before the next round of the Winter League show jumping, mounted games and their annual mounted Easter egg hunt hosted by the Stott family in Leagram Park.
For more information about Chipping Pony Club please go to our website or contact Mrs Joanne Conlon using: chipping@pcuk.org
Anybody interested in the Vale of Lune Harriers can contact Joint Master Mrs Karen Kenyon on 07496 813730
Answers:
a) The Endocrine System
b) A neck which is short and thick
c) 18-22
Chipping Branch of the Pony Club
www.pcuk.org
