Contact Us

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

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.

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

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

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.

BHS Senior Coach (Level 4) British Eventing Accredited Coach UKCC Level 3 Coach (Generic and BE specific) Pony Club A Test Assessor I started riding at an early age and have had horses and animals all my life. Although mum and dad moved a lot, our final home was on the Wirral in Cheshire. My first job with horses was with Peter Storr who was a Dressage rider based at our yard. When he moved from Cheshire to Ascot, he offered me an opportunity to go South and train with him- which in those days was the YTS scheme with training at Wellington Riding. During that time, I achieved my BHS Level 3 at 18, and my level 4 Riding and care at 19. After leaving Ascot I returned home to Cheshire and carried on producing and riding horses from the family home. It was during this time I achieved my Pony Club A test with Honours, and my passion for Pony Club started. Over the next three years I worked with Eventers, Showjumpers and Racehorses learning the different disciplines. At 23 I was incredibly lucky to work as Head girl for an Olympic Event rider where I competed Internationally on my own horse as well as owners’ horses. Sadly, a bad accident where I fractured my pelvis meant I had to leave and spend 6 months rehabilitation. During this time, my parents moved to Sussex and gave me the opportunity to run my own business. For the next 26 years I had an amazing career competing Internationally up to CCI**** on my own and owners’ horses, with a bit of pure Dressage and Showjumping too! I became Chief Instructor of the local Pony Club and started my Assessor career under the watchful eye of the experienced Area 11 team. Through their incredible support I became an A Test Assessor. I also finally completed my Level 4 Coaching Exam and my UKCC Level 3 (generic) and then UKCC Level 3 (BE specific) which enabled me to become a British Eventing Coach and train the U18 riders in the Southeast. I was also very fortunate to complete the National Development Program which trained coaches from all disciplines, worked with Sports Coach UK and other coaches from different sports (which included Project 500 aimed at encouraging female Coaches in sport) and became a Centre 10 Coach where our aim is to help riders understand modern ideas of Sports Psychology. Sadly- too many injuries have caught me up and I very rarely ride now. My new passion is to promote confidence in both human and horse athletes and share my knowledge with other Coaches so that between us we can provide Area 17 with the best training possible.

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

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.

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.

Biffy Booth is assistant DC at North Down Branch where her mum Lyn is DC. Biffy’s whole family has been involved with Pony Club since the 1950s! Biffy got into Games with her sons who had great success both at Pony club and MGA. She combines running her own business with ADC volunteering and many trips around Ireland with her daughter who is an avid Games player. Biffy chairs the A17 Games committee who are a great bunch of dedicated volunteers.