My Pony Club Journey

My Pony Club Journey

I started my Pony Club adventure 13 years ago at the age of 6 with my (what we think was) Shetland pony ‘Buttons’. He saw me attend my first Mini Camp and gave me my first taste of Pony Club fun. Little did I know I was meeting friends whom I would still have today and undoubtedly for life. 

Following in the hoof prints of Buttons was Spritely a sweet, rather cheeky Dartmoor. I am sure there are a couple of instructors who can remember him for all the wrong reasons!

By the time Spritely went to entertain another Pony Club I was 9 and my mum was at this point adamant that I entered into the world of dressage which would give me a good grounding and hopefully help me in the future. Along came ‘Boy’ a 13hh Welsh X who knew the trade. He allowed me to venture up to the PC Dressage Championship at Kelsall Hill in Cheshire in 2013. He was an out and out dressage pony and had little desire to leave the ground – resulting in me going straight over his ears on several occasions when I tried to convince him otherwise. None of this mattered as I was so fortunate to be able to have Basil, the ultimate Pony Club pony whom I still have today. He took me everywhere from Camps and Rallies to PC Tests and ultimately started my Eventing career (in other words my poor mum’s sleepless nights and nightmares filled with XC start boxes began). 

By now I’m 12 and looking pretty tall on dear Basil who’s reins were handed to my brother. This was a short lived relationship as he decided he wanted to swap this dream boat for a motocross bike! However we couldn’t bear to part with him, so he went on loan to our neighbours where he is still enjoying life today. 

Our next addition was an unbacked 15hh Connie straight from Ireland. Her name was Lottie. So 12yr old me and 4yr old Lottie began our very green journey together, learning more than I could ever have imagined. Four years down the line and I had completed my C+, B test and been to the PC Championships three times – 2017 being the most memorable when we won individually in the Eventing. She is still with me after enjoying many days of BE.

At this point I have once again reached the difficult time of outgrowing a wonderful partner hence the arrival in 2018 of a rather large Irish youngster who goes by the name of George. We developed our partnership and set off together. George has since taken me round my first BE Novice and qualified for the PC Open 110 Championships where we flew round our first 2* course.

Being a member of the Pony Club has taught me so many lessons and that’s not just on the ponies. I’ve learned to take the good times with the bad and how much good a day with friends and their ponies can do for you. I’m thankful to each and every pony, friend and instructor who has made my Pony Club days the best and given me unforgettable memories. Long may it continue!

Katie Hipkins x