Latest Newsletter

November 2025

Dear Members,

Thank you to everyone who supported the Branch Show Jumping competition and the Branch Pleasure Ride. We had lovely weather for both and raised some much needed funds for the Branch so will be making a big donation to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The Branch is extremely grateful to the sponsors for the Show Jumping and we were able to award some good prizes. Congratulations to our members who qualified for the Junior Series Final – Phoebe, Alice, Hamish, Elsa, Harrison, Emily – and to those who were placed at Bishop Burton – Phoebe 6^th in 55cms, and the 80cms team of Hamish, Harrison, Elsa who finished 6^th.

Congratulations to Issy A who has passed part of the ‘A’ Test – the highest test one can take in the Pony Club. We wish her well when she tackles the other part next year. Congratulations also to Louisa who has achieved the 100 mile Pony Club Equilab/Hy Equestrian Hacking Challenge. More details can be found on the Pony Club website – you register for a year and record your miles to receive certificates and prizes once you reach 25 miles. This is something everyone can have a go at!

Zac and Amber continue to triumph at Tetrathlons and now winter Triathlons – very well done to them both.

We do have one or two members doing Duke of Edinburgh Awards and are happy to help if anything the Branch does, will fit in with what is required – volunteering or achieving a test or badge.

The Pony Club, along with a number of other Equestrian organisations, is also involved with Young Equestrian Leader Awards (Yella) – details on the Pony Club website – and again the Branch would be happy to help anyone wishing to do this. These all also can be used on a UCAS form. Do get in touch if any of this is of interest or you require further information.

Thank you to all members who are renewing their membership – this can now be done through a monthly Direct Debit payment of £7.33. Details on the PC website/PC November update.

For those members interested in starting with British Eventing, you can compete at up to two events (BE80/90/100) without needing a full BE membership. Enter BE Events via the British Eventing website as an associate user and follow it through.

Details of our annual Awards Night are later on – this is an evening not just for awards, but also a bit of a social event open to everyone. Please can you confirm attendance asap as we need to ensure enough people are coming to make it worthwhile. Please can everyone who received a trophy last year, ensure they are engraved and return them on the night or beforehand if preferred (trophy name in brackets) – Evie (Buckles and Bonny), Elsa (Derek Bowles and Bruno), Eleanor (Steele), Lila (Bunny), Verity (Tadcaster Lions and Reid), Amelia (Bromet), Hugo (Shield and Dressage), Harry (Barry Hudson), Lucinda (Cunard), Sophia (Horse), Alice (Stumpy), Sophie G (Endeavour), Harriet (Gemma), Team trophies for Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing at different levels, Harrison/Hamish/Issy H/Lila (Silver show jumping tray).

The Pony Club Area Quiz will be held on 1 March – training to start very soon! Anyone interested, please let Gill know. Teams of 3 or 4: Minis 10 years and under on 1 Jan 2026 at E/D/D+ level and Junior/Senior two 14 and under on 1 Jan 2026 and 2 of any age at C/C+/B level. Final 19 April.

The Pony Club Spring Festival Qualifiers (dates listed under programme) to be entered by members, rather than by the Branch. This is mainly an individual competition, but once entries are closed, DC’s will make up teams of 3. All 3 scores to count and only one team to qualify at each level. Riders cannot ride two horses in the same team.

Anyone wishing to order Branch sweatshirts/polo shirts before Christmas, please let Gill know as soon as possible.

Clothing and Saddlery Notes: Back protectors compulsory for all cross country BETA 2018 Level 3 standard (blue and black label). Jockey skull caps with no fixed peaks for all cross country 80cms and above. Hair to be securely tied back, with a hairnet if possible. No Hoodies when mounted. Jewellery not recommended – necklaces and bracelets not allowed. Gloves to be worn for dressage. Whips to be of the padded variety (no whips allowed for eventing dressage at any level over PC80) Vaccinations – all horses/ponies attending any Pony Club event must have an annual equine flu vaccination done within the twelve month period and passports/vaccination certificates should accompany horse/ponies when travelling anywhere.