General Working Rallies
Working Rallies are thought of as the “backbone of The Pony Club” and consist of group lessons of ridden instruction. The sessions are designed to be fun whilst also improving a wide range of skills and abilities. All members are encouraged to attend with groups from lead rein to 90cm+. The sessions are split into two thirty minute sessions, one which focuses flatwork and the other half focusing on jumping (or poles).
These rallies are a fantastic place to start for beginners and those new to the branch due to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, whilst also providing a great place for the older members to improve too.
Achievement Badges
The Pony Club has a wide selection of badges that can be attained, ranging from grooming to camping, beach riding to countryside access. A cloth badge is awarded once a member has met the required standard for the badge which can be sewn onto the PC sweatshirt.
We run regular achievement badge rallies and encourage all members to come and join us. The rallies are a great way to learn and make friends and are very popular amongst our members. Many friendships and memories have been formed through the badge rally programme and older members frequently come back to help and begin their volunteering experience. On gaining 21 achievement badges, or 14 mini badges, special Gold Awards are presented at Presentation Evening in November.
Pony Club Tests & Training
The Pony Club offers a series of tests that encourage a member to improve their knowledge of riding and stable management. There are 9 Pony Club Tests beginning with E up to the most difficult A test. After attaining a test, a certificate will be issued along with a felt disc to be worn behind the PC badge on your jacket. The Pony Club test pathway is a valued mark of proficiency in the equestrian industry and unlocks many opportunities, including international Pony Club teams and the Pony Club coaching pathway.
We organise multiple training courses throughout the year to train for and achieve The Pony Club Tests.
Camps
The annual summer camps are for many members the highlight of the PC calendar. We are very fortunate to have the use of the international facilities at Somerford Park Farm to run our Junior and Senior camps.
Senior Camp – 12 years and over
Senior camp is residential for both children and horses. The days consist of mounted instruction in small groups, in addition to a competitions day, farm ride and lots more. The camp ‘nightlife’ is a highlight for all with a homemade swimming pool, team challenges, relay games and plenty more. Members sleep in small groups in their horseboxes or tents.
Junior Camp – 11 years and under
Junior Camp is as Senior camp and runs at the same time. Junior camp is non-residential for the children but residential for the ponies. Children are dropped off every day at approx. 8.30am and collected at approx. 5pm.
Mini Camp – 10 years and under
Mini camp is held especially for our younger and less-experienced members. Mini camp is held over a weekend and is non-residential for both ponies and members. Members receive instruction in small groups with individual help for the very youngest and with plenty of organised fun activities including show jumping, games, handy pony, treasure hunt, badges and lots more.
Area 5 16+ Camp
Older members are invited to attend a camp together with members of other branches within Area 5. This is a good chance to make wider friends and receive specialist coaching.
Dressage
Dressage involves working to improve you and your pony on the flat, whether you intend to compete at competitions or not. Dressage and flatwork is vital for success in all disciplines, and is key to improving your jumping. We hold dressage rallies and training throughout the year with a range of fantastic instructors. Dressage rallies are suitable for all ages and abilities from beginners and lead rein riders to those competing at open dressage.
We hold regular friendly, branch competitions throughout the year, in which members can accrue points for a league. All members are welcome with tests from lead rein to open level. We also do a lot of competing and send numerous teams to the Winter League Dressage Series and qualifiers in Summer and Winter. East Cheshire has a fantastic dressage record with riders and teams qualifying for the championships each year.
Show Jumping
Show Jumping rallies are run regularly throughout the year, with separate rallies for beginners and more experienced combinations aiming for teams. A range of instructors are used, including international riders. Rallies include tuition in all aspects of Show Jumping including jump-off technique and are popular among members.
We run a series of annual branch competitions at which points are tallied for end of year branch trophies. Classes run from cross poles to 1.05m and include special classes to celebrate festivities.
There are plenty of opportunities to ride on a team for the branch. Over the Winter, we participate in the Area 5 Winter League SJ series, starting at 60cm for 10 & unders. We also send teams to Area qualifiers in Summer and Winter, with a number qualifying for the championships.
Eventing
Eventing is an all-round test of horse and rider involving dressage, show jumping and cross country.
Regular cross country training on grass is held over the Spring and Summer for all abilities and potential team members. Through the Winter months, cross country technique rallies are held on the impressive all-weather cross country complex at Somerford Park Farm.
There are a number of inter-branch competitions through the year and team and individual qualifiers, from 70cm to 110cm. We also host an annual branch event, formally the ‘Cheshire Shield Horse Trials’ attracting riders from across the country, but this year it takes a new format with an all-new event to include lower levels.
Mounted Games
Mounted Games involves speed, agility, and most importantly, accuracy. Members gain a great amount of team spirit as they urge each other on. At the top level ponies are highly trained, fast and riders are very proficient.
East Cheshire has Senior, Senior Novice, Junior and Junior Novice mounted games teams, plus opportunities to compete as a pair. All members attend training on Wednesday evenings to practice for regular inter-branch competitions. The teams have a large amount of success and form fantastic friendships with numerous weekends staying away with their team-mates. Rallies open to all, including complete beginners, are held throughout the year so all members can come and have a go.
Tetrathlon
Tetrathlon is one of the traditional pony club sports and consists of 4 phases: pistol shooting, swimming, cross country riding and running. The best thing about tetrathlon it is all about having a go and having fun. Contrary to popular belief there is no need to be an amazing runner or swimmer or do lots of training if you don’t want to! It is a unique sport and renowned for being one of the friendliest sports in pony club, where friends are made for life.
East Cheshire has a thriving and talented squad of members involved in tetrathlon. Team training is organised weekly and the team support is fantastic. Over the Winter months, members compete is triathlons consisting of running, shooting and swimming.
Polocrosse
Polocrosse is a combination of polo and lacrosse. It is a team game played on horseback, where each player has a polocrosse stick. The players pick up, carry and pass a sponge ball from player to player, with the aim of scoring goals. The team that scores the most goals in a match is the winner.
All age and abilities can play and mounted games ponies adapt extremely well. Polocrosse can be done on any pony (so long as it doesn’t kick) and even the nervous ones will usually be persuaded. We run stick and ball rallies to encourage all members to come and give this exciting sport a try.
Musical Ride
The East Cheshire Musical Ride team needs no introduction! Coordinated by artistic geniuses, teams of members aged 4-25 train hard to produce outstanding displays of teamwork, horsemanship and entertainment. Following an impressive run of national titles at The Pony Club Championships, our team now regularly gets asked to perform displays at county shows and public events. We have performed daily as an attraction in the main arena at HOYS on multiple occasions and have enjoyed all sorts of weird and wonderful themes from The Magic Musical Ride of magicians to the Great British Bake-Off, the circus, Christmas (in Summer!), Bugsy Malone, and even Snow White with 7 shetland pony dwarves! We welcome new members to the team every year and have a variety of ever-changing roles.
Horse & Pony Care
The annual Horse & Pony Care and Quiz competitions involves members demonstrating their knowledge and practical horsemanship skills taken from Achievement Badges and Pony Club Test cards over a number of rounds. Teams make their way around different ‘stations’, each of which will comprise a different theory or practical based topic. Each area holds a qualifier with the winning team going forward to compete at Championship. We have had some fantastic fun and successes training for and participating in these team competitions and allows our most dedicated and committed horse and pony care gurus to show off their skills.
Other Rallies & Events
We regularly host and participate in a variety of other one-off opportunities and events. We enjoy providing opportunities for members to try something new and form lasting friendships and memories. We have provided all sorts of additional activities including fun rallies, branch trips to international events, pony racing days, visiting the household cavalry, opportunities to try vaulting and of course our seasonal specials! Even the parents and the family dog are invited to compete in some events.