Thousands compete at Pony Club Championships

It’s been a busy summer for the Pony Club, culminating with the WeatherbysPrivateBanking Pony Club Championships at Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire (21-25 August).

Five days, 2000 entries

The five-day show saw more than 2000 members competing in showjumping, dressage, eventing, mounted games, endurance and Polocrosse as well as centre equitation, musical ride, and horse and pony care.

The Virbac 3D Worming Open Individual showjumping was won by Sophie Toogood from Flint and Denbigh Hunt who three jumped clears with Darco’s Wise Cracker.

“I never expected to be on the top of the podium, it’s unbelievable.” said Sophie.

Flint and Denbigh Hunt enjoyed another victory with Lois Robert, Heidi O’Brien, Brier Leahy and Sophie Toogood taking Open Team title in the showjumping.

‘Really deserved’

The Elite Showjumping, which riders don’t have to qualify for, saw Melissa Rose Asterix Z from the West Lancs County take the top spot.

The NAF SuperflexOpen Individual Dressage was won by Corinna Leadbeater from the Oakley Hunt West Branch who took the title with Neptune on a final score 72.09%.

“Neptune has been going well all season, so it’s lovely for him to have done well as he really deserved it,” said Corinna.

Great finish

In the Open Team Dressage top honours went to the Bennachie Branch team of Caitlin Padfield, Amy Clark, Maja and Alexander Knowland.

“We are all coming towards the end of being in the Pony Club so it’s a great way to round off our Pony Club careers,” they said.

The Dressage Elite was won by Holly Kerslake and Doctor Little from Lamerton Hunt.

‘Feels fantastic’

In the StonarOpen Team Eventing Heythrop Hunt were the victors, with Tilly Rigby, Duvessa Bandeen, Alexandra Taylour and Laura Smith finishing on a total score of 122.8pen.

“It feels fantastic, really rewarding and it’s been a long time coming as we placed second last year,” said the team, who have known each other through the Pony Club since they were five years old.

The hotly contested Open Eventing Individual saw winners across the arenas included Ashley Harrison from Staff College and Sandhurst (Arena A), Kirstin Bamford from East Lothian (Arena B), Olivia Bartlett (Vine Hunt) (Arena C), Lucy Robinson from the Mynell Hunt (Arena D) and Arthur Marshall from the Brocklesby Hunt (Arena E).

Double-win

In other competitions, East Cheshire won the Magic Musical Ride Competition, dressed the ‘Great British Bake Off’ with riders wearing chef’s whites and ponies donning chef’s hats.

It was a double-win for East Cheshire who were also winners in the Equi-Trek Senior Mounted Games, along with Lanark and Upperward. This gives them their ‘golden ticket’ to the prestigious Prince Philip Cup competition at the Horse of the Year Show.

Pony Club Ambassadors

In addition to the competitions nine members were selected to be Pony Club Ambassadors for 2015 – 2016. They were chosen from a group of ‘exceptional’ nominees, put forward by their own club in recognition of their work.

Pony Club Ambassadors for 2015-2016 are:

Alexandra Carr – West Lancashire County Beatle Payne – Atherstone Hunt Chloe Dawes – Berkeley Hunt Emma McDonald – West Lancashire Ince Blundell Ewan Macaulay – Morpeth Hunt Flora Campbell – Chiddingfold Farmers Meryl Hanmer – Llangeinor Hunt Rowena Dorling – Park Lane Stables Victoria Fenny – Weston Harriers Hunt