It’s hard to believe that’s another summer, so called, over and we’re looking at very fluffy horses already! We did manage to have a few qualifiers for the championships at the area competition in August, Hannah Bone won the Novice Area and Laura Milner also qualified which is a fantastic achievement considering how many competitors there were in the novice. Both girls went to the novice champs and jumped good rounds and will hopefully have learnt from the experience. Kate Bleloch qualified for the champs by winning the Intermediate Area and managed to jump clear in the first 2 rounds but unfortunately faulted in the jump off. The open team of Amber Franklin, Emma Stretton, Chloe and Steph Elliott finished 3rd at the area, just missing qualifying for the champs by 1 place, but hopefully they should have qualified for Hickstead next year?!
In September we sent a team of 4 riders under 18yrs to Burghley, Amber Franklin, Kate Bleloch, Chloe Elliott and Ellie Bagshaw, they finished on a score of 7 faults which wasn’t good enough for a place this year, so we all went shopping! Then a week later it was off to Blenheim for the Pony Club eventers challenge, Chloe and Steph Elliott jumped lovely clears in the morning putting all the pressure on Rachel Grindal later in the afternoon, as we were only a team of 3, Rachel’s score had to count, Archie jumped his little socks off for Rachel, considering he hadn’t competed for over a year, but was very unlucky and knocked the last fence down. Then we had to sit it out to see if we were in the top 6 placings, which we were right up until the last team jumped clear and pushed us into 7th place!
As you probably know I have decided to step down from Show Jumping organiser/manager this year as I feel after 8 years it’s time to let someone else have a go!! I have enjoyed the ‘job’, even if it did get stressful at times and I wish whoever takes on the role the best of
luck!
In relation to competing for your branch in all levels of the discipline the branch would like the rider and pony/horse to wear the following:
A blue NWPC saddle cloth.
Shirt with Pony Club tie, or stock.
Riding hat of required PC standard with a PC tag/sticker on one of the straps.
Pony Club badge with your felt if applicable and this should be on the left lapel of the rider’s jacket.
Long leather riding boots, Jodhpur boots with or without dark colour chaps.
Cream or white breeches.
Pony/horse to be plaited with the tack that you feel comfortable jumping in. The tack should be in sound order with all stitching checked and safe. Whilst not compulsory the Pony Club prefers competitors/horse/pony to wear plain dress. The stirrups should be the correct size for your foot and please refer to the rule book if you are unsure of the bit. If spurs are required then please liaise with the DC as a spur card is required and will be requested at the tack check prior to the rider competing.
Please familiarise yourself with the Show Jumping rule book which is displayed on the Pony Club website as this includes forbidden jumping boots, whip and spur length, eligibility and the rules of the competitions.
Heights of the courses (the max height)
Areas
Regional- 80cm, second round 85 cm
Novice-90cm, second round 95cm
Intermediate-1 metre second round 1.05
Open- 1.05 metre with 1 x spread and 1 x upright at 1.10m, second round 1.15m
Championships
Regional Championships- 80cm, second round 85 cm
Novice-95cm, second round 1 metre
Intermediate-1 metre second round 1.10
Open- 1.10, second round 1.20
