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The Committee

Each Branch covers a geographical area and is organised using the purpose and rules of The Pony Club.

Each Branch is led by a District Commissioner (DC) helped by a dedicated Committee, and band of willing helpers, all assigned to specific roles, to support the running of the Branch.

Please be mindful, every member of the Branch Committee is a volunteer, dedicating spare time to support, with this in mind please direct any concerns or complaints directly to the DC on the contact details provided.

Our DC is elected by the Committee for a term of three years, re-election is by an anonymous vote by the Committee.  A DC appointment is only confirmed when approval and confirmation is received from PCUK.

All other committee members can be appointed by the DC and committee and re-appointment must be minuted, following a term of three years.

This page provides a short introduction to our Committee, their roles and how to get in touch with them.

 

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Gayle Shepherd

District Commissioner
Gayle has a love of all things ponies, which she shared with her Dad, her unsung hero, who held ponies, emptied wheelbarrows, serviced the vehicles or got up at all hours, to travel the country for competitions. Gayle has fabulous memories of her special conniexTB pony Murky, chosen by the one and only Stewart Christie. Together they learned the ropes playing up the hills at Langton Lea and the occasional canter on the grass verges, don’t tell Margaret LOL!. Murky taught Gayle how to ride and they shared lots of success together in the Showjumping, but Working Hunter was definitely her passion, she had the amazing opportunity to ride the famous local legend, Newsboy, and together they achieved great success on the Working Hunter circuit and were regulars at the Cowan Park as part of the Barrhead Riding Club. Gayle’s daughter Nicole, joined Eglinton many years ago and they have experienced all aspects of Pony Club, including a WIN at CHAMPS as part of a fabulous Show Jumping Eglinton Team on the legendary Tullanna Miller, ironically under the watchful eye of Stewart Christie who was Team Manager that day. Gayle brings skills in Governance, Health and Safety, Finance, loves a process and procedure, and is completely committed to giving something back to the Club, that has provided both her, and Nicole with memories that will last a lifetime.
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Elaine Goldie

Treasurer
An Eglinton Pony Club Alumni, who, as a member, competed in Mounted Games and Show Jumping, with results including, two, much sought after HOY’s qualifications. Horses have remained a part of Elaine’s life through her own horse, Sly and most recently through her son Blair, who follows in the footsteps, with a love for Mounted Games and represented TEAMEGLINTON at SHOYS. Elaine brings skills in Treasury and Training, with her main highlight being watching the members grow in confidence.
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Monique Morrison

Secretary
Appointed as Secretary in September last year, Monique brings a wealth of skill, including a degree in International Business from the University of Wiesbaden, Germany. After graduating, she enjoyed many years working within the tourist and leisure industry. Having travelled to many exciting places and lived in London for 10 years, she happily settled in South Ayrshire 15 years ago. She loves the countryside and has ridden for most of her life. When not at work, Monique continues to enjoy travelling as much as possible and spending time with her family, including three girls and wee labradoodle, Bailey. Only one of her daughters, Scarlet, has taken on her love for horses and has been part of the Pony Club for over 3 years. Monique is looking forward to continuing to create an enjoyable and exciting Club for kids to have fun, make new friends and simply enjoy time with their favourite pet in a safe and caring environment.
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Frankie Howat

Safeguarding Officer
An Eglinton Pony Club Alumni, some 35+ years ago 🤦‍♀️ Frankie (McInnes then) joined as a senior and would still be pony clubbing now if she could. 🤷🏻‍♀️. Frankie, had a great horse, even though her parents didn’t have a lot of money, and Eglinton welcomed her, always encouraging her, to be the best she could. Frankie was in PC Tetrathlon and ODE teams, which provided the opportunity to compete in some amazing places, being taught by the best instructors. Yes, she too was taught by the GREAT Stewart Christie! She will definitely be in our Hall of Fame, for holding accolades such as the B test and attending A+H camp. PC camp was Frankies annual highlight, she loved the fun and hilarity that went on in and around her love of horses. Now its all about the kids Jock (11) and Edi(10). Edi has been welcomed into showjumping and dressage teams and Jock the dressage team (he doesn’t like jumping). Frankie now gets her PC kick out of the kids doing their thing and helping where she can. Frankie still rides, but leaves the competitions to Jock and Edi, who often say ‘What do you know mum?’………..We think LOADS?!!!😂
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Marion Brown

An Eglinton Pony Club Alumni, and part of our Hall of Fame (with photo’s), due to the amazing accolade of winning the prestigious Prince Philip Cup in 1992 and again in 1993 following a determination to defend their title and the huge support from Robert Noble as team trainer. Marion also competed for Team Eglinton in the Show Jumping and could often be found running between both rings swapping ponies and taking part in the Mounted Games & Show Jumping, at the same time. More recently Marion is back at the club as groom and proud mum to her twin daughters, Libby, Jess and their ponies. An established Show Jumper in her own right, Marion still honours her girls with her proudest moment, recalling how “at their first ever easter camp, cantered off lead rein, on their own…. and in a group”. Marion is an asset to our Committee with a career in Veterinary nursing, and extensive experience, however she says it’s the friendships she made, that have lasted a lifetime, that makes her most grateful and she hopes this is the case, for all current and future Eglinton members.
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Lianne Sutherland

Showjumping Coordinator
Lianne is one of our longest serving Committee members, having supported many of our members up through the heights, she definitely has an instinct for what the members need, she is a fabulous support to all the nervous or new mums, dads and entourage. An exceptional horsewoman in her own right, but a cheerleader to her daughter Rebecca, an Eglinton legacy member, now reaching for the heights of the Royal Highland, Hickstead and HOYS. So far she has achieved 2 this year already. Lianne loves the ethos of pony club, friendship, learning, fun and laughter and thrives on inclusion for all, at whatever level. Lianne prides herself on supporting our young people to achieve their personal goals, with a real interest and passion for Show Jumping.
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Shirley Justice-Vose

General/Fun Coordinator
A Fife Hunt and Eglinton Hunt Pony Club Alumni, due to a move to Ayrshire in 1981. Shirley competed for Eglinton in what was then, the Pony Club Interbranch Event Team. Following on from Pony Club she continued riding and competing. Shirley will definitely make it into our Hall of Fame with career highlight such as, a finalist at the Royal International Horse Show with her amazing show hunter Diplomacy, and wins at both the Royal Highland and Blair Castle Horse Trials riding side saddle. Having had many happy times within Pony Club she loves seeing ponies and riders having fun, making lifelong friendships and members growing in confidence and ability. Most recently Shirley supports her daughter Eloise, who in her early days at Eglinton had a huge amount of fun with Barney “the Wonder Shetland” right through to Splash her current event horse. They feel incredibly lucky, to have met so many cracking people over the years, making friendships with so many Pony Club friends, near and far, and had so many fantastic Pony Club Camps and the honour of representing Eglinton at HOYS in 2021 and most recently representing Scotland, at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and standing Reserve Champions at the Pony Club Championships in 2022. Shirley has a soft spot for the amazing ponies she has loved over the years (even if they weren’t all the easiest initially!). Many of these Ponies are also Eglinton Pony Club Alumni’s as they have subsequently allowed little riders of the future to get started, so Barney, Fairy, Joey 💕, Pixy, Perry, Ruby and now Splash of Magic, she salute’s you and thanks you from the bottom of her heart❤️
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Gillian McNinch

Instructor Coordinator
They say never work with children or animals and Gillian does both, helping run a successful livery yard on the family farm and a BHS Accredited Coach, teaching both at her home and freelance. When not working, she enjoys time with her horses and ponies at home and away, competing at various shows throughout the UK. Gillian will make it into our Hall of Fame with fabulous success over the years, winning great classes and competing at HOYS both in riding and harness driving classes. Her passion is promoting the rare, Hackney Horse/Pony, showcasing their versatility and her other love being Welsh ponies and cobs. Gillian was also the Young Ambassador for the Welsh Pony and Cob Society in 2011. I think it is fair to say she is steeped in equestrian life and experiences and she loves meeting so many Eglinton members that are as “pony mad” as her! (I don’t think it ever leaves you!) Gillian loves teaching at Eglinton and watching the kids grow from the early stages of “rising trot”, to going on to achieve great things, whether that is overcoming a fear, a personal goal or have success at a competitive level. The equestrian world is so diverse and Gillian’s aim as a PC committee member is “to ensure the kids get enjoyment on every level and most of all have fun!”
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Catriona Varini

Development Coordinator
A Cowal Pony Club Alumni, Catriona has experienced everything Pony Club has to offer and was often seen in the ribbons, competing against our DC, Gayle, in many Showjumping Competitions. Catriona has continued to have ponies in her life, gaining her BSc hon in Equine Science at Writtle College and then went on to gain her BHS ISM, while working on a large yard in Scotland. Now, Catriona enjoys running after her three kids. Emma and Holly joined Pony Club three years ago and have already successfully represented the branch at CHAMPS in the dressage. Holly’s pony Buster is an Eglinton Alumni, having been part of our branch before, he is now doing a FAB job showing Holly the ropes. Catriona’s son Lewis, prefers hammers and horseshoes like his dad 😂, but whatever their pursuits, Catriona loves to see them making friends, having fun and developing, which makes her the perfect candidate for supporting all our members.
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Carolyn Lamb

Merchandise Coordinator
A Stewarty Pony Club Alumni, who, as a member enjoyed eventing and like most of us has great memories of Pony Club Camp. Most recently Carolyn is now a non-ridden member of Eglinton to support her daughter Anna, who loves Show Jumping with her pony Dennis, who lives up to his name of Dennis the Menace, as he loves to roll in the field and comes in filthy most days, especially prior to a competition, but even with the early starts, Carolyn recalls a proud moment when Anna, representing Eglinton Pony Club at the Show Jumping Foundation event in 2023, with her team, WON their category. All team members rode well, supported their fellow club members, in a fun and friendly manner. Carolyn is our Merchandise Co-ordinator, so get in contact if you would like to purchase any Pony Club clothing. Carolyn joined the committee because “it is lovely to put something back into an organisation I got so much out of”.
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Caroline Hamilton

Parent Coordinator
An Eglinton Pony Club Alumni and a very active member of the Mounted Games Team. Caroline had 6 years of fun, learning and great experiences in the Club. Caroline will also make it into our Hall of Fame, with qualifications for Horse of the Year Show at Wembley and she was part of the Eglinton Team that won the prestigious Prince Philip Cup in 1994 and again in 1995 following a determination to defend their title. Caroline’s love for her pony, Andy, shines through in her chat’s, he was the oldest pony in the team, but what does age matter, he was a Super Star. Carolines youngest daughter, Chloe, is now following in her footsteps and is starting her 3rd year in the Junior Games Team. Chloe is enjoying her pony Tara and attends regular rallies and has a favourite calendar highlight….Camp. Caroline is helping the Committee, so that the Club can run at it’s very best.
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Emma Brooks

Dressage Coordinator
A Nithsdale Pony Club Alumni, joining at age 11 with her Pony Sophie, she wasn’t a member for long though, as Sophie was a very stubborn connie, who wouldn’t “perform” at rallies. Emma looks back now and wishes she had persevered, especially as she see’s all the fun her girls are having. However Sophie clearly taught Emma well, as once she left school, she headed for Germany aged 18, to train with a Grand Prix dressage rider, she stayed in Germany for 5 years and trained her young horse to compete at Advanced level, until she devastatingly lost him to colic. This prompted a return to the UK and she decided to make dressage a hobby, rather than a job, however these days her own riding takes second fiddle to that of the family, including the children, a menagerie of chickens, sheep and 7 horses! Emma joined the Eglinton Committee after moving into the area 18 months ago, she was previously the treasurer of Nithsdale Pony Club. Her 2 daughters have been in pony club since they were barely off lead rein and she wanted to give back to the clubs that have helped bring their riding on, as well as allowing them to make so many, like minded friends.