IN THE SADDLE
Staying upbeat and positive, Chipping Pony Club members enjoyed the wonderful sunny weather during lockdown, which has been beneficial to everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, writes Paula Kopydlowski
In these unprecedented times some Chipping Pony Club members have been lucky to spend more time with their ponies. Other weren’t so lucky as some livery yards closed their doors to owners and some youngsters were unable to visit their ponies because they were shielding vulnerable family members. The resilience of all these youngsters has been astonishing and they should be applauded for their patience and understanding.
Chipping Pony Club adapted quickly to offer non-riding activities from home. Workbooks were sent to those who wanted to work on achievement badges, such as ‘Birds in Your Garden’, ‘Taking Care of Your Pets’ and ‘The Countryside’. It has been a perfect opportunity to spend time appreciating how wonderful nature really is. Quizzes, crosswords, creative writing competitions, colouring, training videos and challenges for older members were set. Members contributed to the ‘Toilet Roll Challenge’ video showing entertaining things to do with toilet rolls. Members shared photographs of their ponies on their holidays in the sunshine.
Unfortunately, ridden events, rallies and activities were cancelled. Area qualifiers, championships, Senior Summer Camp, mounted games, dressage and show jumping leagues, tetrathlon, badges and tests – all cancelled for 2020. Opportunities to have a go at new activities such as polo, polocrosse, pony racing were also all put on hold.
National Pony Club competitions saw Chipping’s Grace Robinson placed second in the Easter bonnet competition! What a fantastic effort this young member has made in her participation with the club.
Chipping have, however, managed to run a low-key training rally at Longridge Show Field, observing social distancing rules in accordance with all government guidelines. An opportunity to see friends in the flesh at last!
Senior member Angus Stewart raised £1,161 by organising a Social Media Push-Up Challenge. He encouraged a whole host of other ‘horsey’ people to do the same, which has accumulated much needed funds for the Solving Kids’ Cancer charity.
On a further celebratory note, Chipping Pony Club are delighted and proud to see former member and apprentice jockey, Poppy Fielding, return to horse racing after lockdown to ride a winner at Windsor Racecourse last month. Poppy was riding Arcanada for trainer Tom Dascombe over six furlongs. She has won two out of eight races in her career so far! That’s some strike rate.
Poppy works as an apprentice for Tom at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, which is owned by former footballer Michael Owen. Racing has taken Poppy to Australia where she worked for Godolphin and trainer Chris Wallers. She started her love of racing by taking part in Pony Racing with Chipping Pony Club at a young age, where she had a winner riding her racing pony Maple Mocochino at Haydock Park.
Chipping Pony Club are starting to organise events over the summer as lockdown eases. Take a look at their website: branches.pcuk.org/chipping
If you are interested in joining, please contact Chipping’s District Commissioner Joanne Conlon 07739 687972 or email: chipping@pcuk.org
