Contact Us - Area 17

Area 17 Representative Fran Rowlatt-McCormick

I grew up in Shropshire, England and was a Pony Club member of the United Pack from a young age. I have fond memories of my friends and spending time at rallies during the summer months and a bit of hunting too in the winter.

I moved to Northern Ireland 25 years ago, and I live in a small holding in Co Down with my husband Robert, and 2 boys, Ben and Tom. We breed horses and run a small Livery Yard and own some eventers (my hubby is unclear how many!).

In the real world I am an archive producer and run my own small business from our offices in NI working in the broadcast industry together with my amazing husband Robert.

Both my sons were members of East Down Branch and enjoyed the opportunities on offer, from Games to Tet and then eventing.

At the age of 12 both boys caught the eventing bug and we are very lucky to be able to breed our own horses too. We are friends with some incredible trainers, Riverhill Stud, Debbie Byrne, Terry Boon amongst many and with their help.. both boys evented to intermediate level internationally, with Ben being on Junior teams in Germany and Tom travelling to Sweden and Hartpury, England as part of the Irish Junior teams. We were privileged to win a Silver medal in 2022 on our homebred which was a very proud family moment.

But that journey started with trips across the ocean to the PC Champs in Gloucs and Regionals in Scotland as part of the Irish convoys! My son Ben winning the Open Eventing Horsemanship award was a particular high point at the Champs… but we also had a fabulous time with friends at the campsite and learned so much about teamwork and travelling as we went.

Most importantly my family has made life long friends in Pony Club. We now enjoy “giving something back” and the whole family volunteers and helps at events to this day.

My aim as Area Representative is to assist Branches and Centres and to encourage teamwork, friendship, horsemanship and sportsmanship throughout Northern Ireland at all levels of the sport.

We are all here to help you enjoy being part of The Pony Club and to develop a lifelong love of horses through fun, friendship, horsemanship and sport.

Your Branch or Centre should be your first point of contact but if you need further help please contact your Area Representative Fran Rowlatt-McCormick

Fran Rowlatt-McCormick

Area Representative

Fran Rowlatt-McCormick is the Area 17 Representative for The Pony Club, supporting Northern Ireland branches.

T: 07912627751 E: area17@pcuk.org

Karen McGlennon

Treasurer

Karen is a longtime member of the North Down Branch alongside her husband Stephen and daughter Lauren. We are proud to have her assistance as treasurer and value her wise advice.

T: 07799062690 E: dc.northdown@pcuk.org

Pauline McAlister (nee Rainey)

Area Secretary

Pauline was a member of North Down and lives in Co Down looking after broodmare “Megan” alongside her husband Aiden. Her son Jonathan also rides and is a strong supporter too. Pauline has a lovely cob, Georgie, who she enjoys hacking with at local country parks with friends

T: 07940263367 E: area17@pcuk.org

Judith Maneely

Area Safeguarding Officer

Judith is a longtime member of Tullylagan Branch and is our valued Safeguarding Officer.

T: 07887875213 E: safeguarding.area17@pcuk.org

Grainne Bennett

Area Lead Assessor

Owner at Bennetts Equestrian in Newry and Iveagh Coach Grainne, alongside one of our most qualified coaches, Penny Sangster, has been instrumental in setting up our new assessment pathway in Area 17 where all coaches and assessors are attending standard setting days, completing probationary periods, and delivering assessments and coaching aligning with the Pony Club Training Guidelines.

T: 07546 090165 E: area17@pcuk.org

Penny Sangster

Area 17 CPD Lead Coach

Area 17 CPD Lead Coach BHS Senior Coach (Level 4), British Eventing Accredited Coach, UKCC Level 3 Coach (Generic and BE specific), Pony Club A Test Assessor, where our aim is to help riders understand modern ideas of Sports Psychology. My passion is to build confidence in both human and horse athletes and share my knowledge with other Coaches so that, together, we can provide Area 17 with the best possible training. I represent Area 17 and Coaches all over the UK on the Pony Club National Training Committee.

T: 07831 159456 E: pennysangster@yahoo.com

Craig Hills

Area 17 Centres Coordinator & BHS Senior Coach

Craig looks after all Area 17 Centres, if you have any Centre related questions please directly contact him.

T: 07545557545 E: Area17centres@pcuk.org

Lithgow Currie

Health and Safety Officer, Area 17

Lithgow is married to Janet and both travel far and wide in their capacity as FEI Stewards and Show Jumping Judges. They are an incredible couple, who have been married for over 40 years with a huge depth of equestrian knowledge. As well as being an FEI steward, and Area 17 H&S rep, Lithgow is Treasurer for Route Hunt Branch.

T: 07775918660 E: Treasurer.route@pcuk.org

Heather Williams

Lead Tetrathlon Coordinator

Heather and her family are epic! They manage and run tetrathlon in Area 17, and in 2024 were responsible for organising a hugely successful Tet International in their local town of Irvinestown. Both Heather’s children have also been very successful athletes in their own right.

T: 07808317946 E:

Diane Jones

Area 17 Lead Games Coordinator

Diane has been a coach with Laurelview Centre Pony Club since 2008, where both of her daughters developed their passion for horses. Her involvement in Mounted Games started when her youngest daughter fell in love with the discipline. Alongside her career in Social Work, Diane runs her own equine therapy centre and serves on several equestrian and canine committees. She is passionate about ensuring that all young people can participate in Mounted Games at every level and currently chairs the Area 17 Mounted Games Committee, which is a great group of dedicated volunteers.

T: 07866629894 E: mgcoordinator.area17@pcuk.org

Colleen Glasgow

Area 17 Training Coordinator Lead

As well as serving as DC for the Tullylagan Branch, Colleen has stepped into the role of Lead Area 17 Training Coordinator with aplomb. Collen chairs the Area 17 Training Sub Committee – a dedicated group of enthusiastic team players who assist the area with training organisation, test organisation and administration

E: training.area17@pcuk.org