Latest Newsletter

Dear Members,
At last the sun is shining – here’s hoping it stays that way for a bit!
Our members who had qualified for the Spring Festival Championships at Addington had a good time, despite the freezing weather putting the schedule back a couple of hours for the arenas to thaw out! Well done to all of you, particularly Gabby S who came 3rd in the 80cms Arena Eventing, the 90cms show jumping team of Gabby, Issy and Ellie finishing 4th and the Intermediate Dressage team of Harriet, Emily J, and Gabby finishing 2nd.
Our teams had a good afternoon at the Area Quiz. The questions were, in some cases, a bit confusing but they all worked hard at it and received an Easter Egg for their efforts! Mini Team – Evie, Elsa, Phoebe, Emily and Jnr/Snr Team – Harriet, Verity, Hamish and Harrison. The Mini Team also worked for their mini Achievement Badges in Grooming, Native Ponies, Yard Safety and Basic Needs of the Pony in Summer and Winter.
Well done to YAS members who are taking part in the Port Royal SJ and Dressage Pony Club Series over the winter months – SJ: Evie (currently 4th at 70cms), Lucinda, Lilly, Emily O (currently 3rd at 1m), Eleanor Y and Dressage: Evie (currently leading the Prelim 22 and 2nd in the Grassroots 18) and Emily O (currently leading the Intermediate 24 and 3rd in the Novice 20). Final dates in each as per the programme.
If there are any more members who wear spurs, who have not been assessed, please let Gill know so a further assessment can be arranged or we can try to find you a place with another Branch. All those who have been assessed or who hold the full C+ test and who wear spurs, now have to have a yellow hat tag. No-one will be allowed to wear spurs at any Pony Club event or competition in the future without this yellow hat tag and you will be asked to remove them!

Road Rider: There are now a few names down for this – if anyone else wishes to put their name down, please let Gill know asap – first come, first served as places are limited. This is for those 11/12 years and above, who have passed their ‘D’ or above test. It is a requirement if you wish to take ‘C’ and above Pony Club tests. There are four, one hour, evening mounted sessions in Escrick Park, spread over four or five weeks, which should all be attended if at all possible – the final one being the test. Possible dates and further details to be sent out in the next few days.
Rally Dress: Points are awarded throughout the year for turnout. In the winter, your pony is not expected to be spotless, but you and your tack can be clean! For events other than competitions, tests or otherwise informed, you can wear Branch sweatshirts, dark jodhpurs and warm coats if needed. Hoodies and hooded coats must have the hood tucked into the collar or, better still, not be worn at all. Jewellery is not recommended and all long hair should be plaited or in a net. Don’t forget your gloves as your hands will get very cold! All hats must have a current pink tag to show the correct standard for insurance purposes and no fixed peaks for cross country, pony racing and games (Don’t forget to get new hats tagged at a rally.) Hat standards: PAS 015 2011 with BSI Kitemark, VG1 with BSI Kitemark, Snell E2016 & 2021, (BS) EN 1384:2023 with BSI Kitemark, ASTM-F1163 2015 &2023 with SEI mark, AS/NZS 3838 2006 onwards. Body Protectors are not compulsory, except for cross country, arena eventing and pony racing – BETA 2018 Level 3 standard (blue and black label) only.
Branch Area Teams for 2025 – See details of Area competitions on What,s On page. If you are interested in being considered for an Area Team please let Gill know. You must be an active, current member to take part. Area competitions are qualifiers within each Pony Club area in the country for a place at either the National Championships in mid August or the Regional Championships at the end of August. This is nothing to do with various Branch competitions, including Junior Series show jumping, which is purely an Area 3 competition.
Dressage Tests for PC Area Dressage (29 June): PC70 -Preliminary PC70 Dressage Test 2022, PC80 – Grassroots PC80 Dressage Test 2018, PC90 – Novice Dressage Test 2020, PC100 -Intermediate Dressage Test 2024, PC110 – Open Dressage Test 2020. Dressage Tests for PC Area Eventing (19 July): PC70 – Preliminary PC70 Dressage Test 2022, PC80 – Grassroots PC80 Dressage Test 2018, PC90 – PC90 Eventing Test 2025, PC100 – PC100 Eventing Test 2015, PC Chairman’s Cup – PC110 Eventing Test 2022, PC110 – PC110 Eventing Test 2022.