In The Saddle
Chipping Pony Club members recently enjoyed three days of fun, competing in the National Championships, writes by Megan Conlon. Photography: Top Shots Photography
Following qualifications at the Area competitions against 19 local branches, five Chipping branch members loaded up the horse boxes and set off to Warwickshire for the JCB Pony Club National Championships!
On the first day, after the long journey, we made the temporary stables as cosy as possible for our horses and let them settle with hay and water while we checked out the facilities. The site of the championships in Offchurch Bury is unlike any other competition at Pony Club. From multiple arenas, to food stalls, shops and a dancing area, there is something for every time of day, even if you’re not competing. There are buggies whizzing up and down the drive, taking people between the stables and the main area, and the campsite stretches all the way up a hill, accommodating all 19 UK areas of the Pony Club. Once our horses were sorted, we set up camp together and marched on down to the local pub for a well-deserved meal.
We were up with the sun the next day and readied horses and riders for the first of our competitions, the 90cm showjumping. There was a warm-up class in the morning, where Lucy was in the ribbons in seventh place! This class allowed our team to fully switch on before turning to the very tough jumps and lines of the main 90cm show jumping competition. Having walked the course together and sharing each other’s expertise, our riders tackled the course with determination against 66 other teams and finished on a total of 12 faults after two rounds, with Kaitlin going into the jump off! A huge well done to Amy, Oliver, Kaitlin and Lucy.
The next day was jam-packed and with Oliver heading home to get his A level results, the show jumping team was left with only three members to tackle the metre class. Lucy excelled in both rounds, just knocking the final pole to finish on a nonetheless impressive four faults. With the classes almost overlapping, Kaitlin and myself also competed in the individual Intermediate Dressage competition, riding a very tricky test in a 60m x 20m arena for the first time. We weren’t in the ribbons this time, but the experience was invaluable. That night, we celebrated our successes at the themed party which was being held in the main area, complete with a DJ and disco lights!
The championships are something which every Pony Club member ought to aim for. We had three days and nights of true Pony Club camaraderie and fun as well as the competitions. It was, as it always is, an unforgettable experience and a stellar opportunity to represent our club at national level. Time to get training for next year!
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
