In The Saddle
Hard work and perseverance have paid off for members of Chipping Pony Club, which is celebrating numerous successes, writes Megan Conlon
Chipping Pony Club has had some huge successes over the past month and are training hard to continue them over the summer holidays. From mounted games to racing, our members are reaping the benefits of the tireless work they have put in.
Firstly, our Junior Mounted Games team Millie, Esme, Ellen and Toby were the first-place qualifying team in the Area Mounted Games competition. If you have read any of our previous articles, you’ll know that this team has progressed amazingly over the last few months, improving with every Winter League competition and having it all pay off when it counts for the area competition! This means training is ramping up in preparation for the Zones, where they will be in with a chance of qualifying for the National Championship competition.
The Area event was overflowing with Chipping members, as we also had a Novice Junior team made up of Elsie, Edith, Oliver, Harry and Grace. If there was a competition for the widest smile, they would have won by a landslide and Harry even managed to canter! Our senior team competed furiously and got into several finals, especially excelling in the tyre and five-flag races. Great successes are no doubt on the horizon for this young team and we are delighted that they came second in the Tack and Turnout competition – an area which Chipping has always prided itself in.
A couple of members attended the Pony Club Race at Haydock Park Racecourse. There is a variety of races for members to participate in, and Olivia and Maisie came second and third in their races, respectively. Continuing the trend from the Mounted Games Senior team, Maisie and her pony Monty also won Best Turned Out!
We are also delighted to share that one of our members, Lexi, won the SEIB Working Pony Class and has qualified to compete at the Horse of the Year Show! This is a highly prestigious event which is known throughout the equine world and we are so proud to have one of our own members competing. Lexi attended nearly every qualifying competition last year, but was able to win the first one of this year at Stoneleigh. Testament to her perseverance, she has come a long way with her pony over her time in the Pony Club.
We also had great successes at West Lancashire County Pony Club’s showjumping competition at Church Farm. Toby came fourth in the 45cm class, Olivia was second in the 65cm, Bea was second in the 75cm, Kaitlin second in the 95cm and 105cm and Jennifer bringing home the blue rosette having won the 95cm and 105cm!
Our members have improved significantly since the start of the year and all of their efforts are truly beginning to shine through in their results. It takes a lot of time to become a successful rider and these members have shown what can be accomplished through the Pony Club.
If you’d like to know more about Pony Club, in particular Chipping Branch, please contact the District Commissioner Joanne Conlon 01200 445143 or email: chipping@pcuk.org
