The summer holidays are fast approaching, which can only mean one thing to all those horsey families… Pony Club Camp! It’s one of the best weeks in the horsey calendar. What’s not to love about industrial amounts of sweets, among some of your best friends, riding all day and more rosettes than your pin board can hold… it doesn’t get much better than that!
For those non horsey parents this all may seem a bit alien to you. Where do you start, what do you need to take or how do you get your child involved? We are here to answer all those questions.
About the Pony Club
The Pony Club is an international voluntary youth organisation, dedicated to encouraging young people to ride and provide the knowledge to take care of their horses and ponies, whilst encouraging sportsmanship. It was founded in England in 1929 and has been the starting point for a huge number of equestrian athletes; including William Fox-Pitt, Harry Meade, Kitty King and Nick Skelton as well as so many others.
The club has gone from strength to strength over the years with around 345 Branches and 480 Centres in the UK alone.
How do I get involved in the Pony Club?
Find your local branch via the Pony Club website and join up. The good news is that you don’t need to own a pony to be a member; there are plenty of centers where kids can take advantage of all the activities and opportunities on borrowed ponies.
Once a member of the Pony Club, the opportunities are endless in all sorts of different areas of equestrianism. It gives children the wealth of equestrian knowledge and experience whilst meeting new people and making friends for life. Children are given the chance to develop skills, knowledge and gain more confidence across all disciplines which is useful not only in the equestrian sphere, but that will stand them in good stead for their adult life.
What the week entails …
Once you arrive at camp the fun packed week starts. The suspense of whose ride you’re in can be too much. Everyone is after the young, fun instructor that will change Dressage on the timetable to Cross country.
When the jam packed week has commenced it’s always a week to remember. There is so much to learn whilst having fun in different disciplines, endless riding lessons, how to get your tack sparkling and building confidence across all areas.
Everyone’s a winner and everyone comes away having the feeling of achievement. Not forgetting all those rosettes up for grabs from best kept stable, cleanest tack, most improved, rider of the day, new member, longest standing member… the list goes on. So, get another pin board out you’re going to need the room!
At the end of the day Pony Club Camp isn’t just about learning new skills and knowledge but making memories and friends that will last a lifetime.
Here is you pony club checklist to make sure you are prepared.
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