IN THE SADDLE
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, Chipping Pony Club has finally been able to resume its action-packed timetable, both on horses and on foot, writes Megan Conlon
Chipping Pony Club members have had to dust off their Pony Club ties and shine their boots in preparation for a month of jam-packed horsey fun.
This was kick started by the Area Quiz competition for which Sarah, Lexi, Bea and myself spent hours revising! For this is no ordinary quiz – as usual, we revised for all the rounds, including the Equine Nervous System, Showjumping and Endurance Rules, Children’s Equestrian Literature (this one had us digging up some old favourites) and a picture round on Equestrian Equipment. After spending all our Friday nights doing practices on Zoom, I’m glad to say it paid off, with Chipping coming third place overall! The event was really well organised and enjoyed by all.
Following on from this excitement, we began preparation for our Easter Egg Hunt which doubled as a Badge Day. Members from ages four to 11 spent time learning all about safety equipment, how to be properly dressed at Pony Club events, and equine behaviour, which had some older members excellently demonstrating what a buck, a rear and a shy looked like! Everyone learnt a lot and were subsequently rewarded with the Easter Egg Hunt! It was not all fun and games though, as members also had to find pieces of paper with pictures of wild animals and parts of a grooming kit on and tick them off a list as they went – although at one point, I admit, the picture of the mole was nowhere to be found as it had escaped in the wind! We found it eventually in a nearby field. After a successful day, everyone went home with a paper bag full of chocolate eggs, two badges each and big smiles all round.
The Easter fun didn’t stop there though, as our next event was the Easter Rally! Lots of members signed up, eager to see their Pony Club friends again and begin exercising their horses in time for the summer competitions. With excellent tuition from Louie Atkinson and Jo Baxter, members finessed their flatwork skills before working on some technical show-jumping, with younger members even doing some mounted games.
Rallies are a great way for members to learn in accordance with the Pony Club training pyramid, and they allow members to work towards their Pony Club tests which, at a certain level (B-test), are widely-recognised achievements in the equine world and can aid members should they choose to pursue a future in an equine career. Rallies are also perfect opportunities to see good friends and learn in tandem with your horse.
Events and training sessions will continue in the coming months and there is an action-packed calendar for all! Watch this space for future updates on life at Chipping Pony Club!
If you are interested in joining, please contact Chipping’s District Commissioner Joanne Conlon 01200 445143 or email: chipping@pcuk.org
