The Soham & District Pony Club was founded in 1976, when the membership was no more than 30 (We have more than 70 members today). It was founded by a desire to provide a pony club to those who were very local to Soham and who had no transport. Despite initially being turned down, the group, through the local school, persisted and were granted permission – and the Soham & District Pony Club began.
The first rallies were held on Soham common, where no fences or arenas provided the security and safety we experience now. It wasn’t uncommon for a few of the ponies and children to be chased round by loose dogs we are told! The children hacked to the rallies from the surrounding areas.
The first District Commissioner was Mr John Palmer, and after 2 years Mr Clem Tompsett then took on the role. He was the longest serving DC in the country and believed in providing access to the Pony Club to children from all backgrounds.
His eldest daughter Sally took on the role of District Commissioner following his death in 2019.