Latest Newsletter

September 2026

Dear Members,

Thank you to those of you who have already entered the Branch Show Jumping competition on Sunday 27th September (If you haven’t received the schedule, please let me know). However, if you are unable to enter, we would still be really grateful for any help on the day, if only for an hour or two, or even by providing some cakes for the refreshment stall, or some tombola prizes. This is a much needed Branch fund raiser as well as being a qualifier for the Junior Series Final at Bishop Burton on 25 October. There are classes from 35cms to 80cms, Junior Series qualifiers for Pony Club members and classes open to all, with some great prizes, so do come and support the event.
The following weekend on Sunday 4th October, there is the Branch Pleasure Ride starting in Escrick Park. This is open to everyone – adult, child, PC member and non PC member! (Again, if you haven’t received a schedule, let me know) This is also a fund raiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Branch and we would like as many people to support the event as possible. It is a fun occasion to catch up with friends and enjoy a good barbeque. We would also be grateful for any cakes for refreshments, even if you can’t come and ride. If anyone could help with the 2 or 3 road crossings for the longer ride, please get in touch.
A very big thank you to all those who helped at Camp and Mini-Camp this summer – both went really well, though the weather was a bit challenging especially the sudden downpours at Mini-Camp. I hope everyone who came had a good time and it was great to see so many much younger members at Mini-Camp. Well done to those who passed Tests: ‘D+’ Eleanor B, Mimi, Alice Y, Lily, Evie, Gilbert – ‘D’ Phoebe, Lizzie – ‘E’ Poppy C, Annabel H, Poppy D. Congratulations for the sash/trophy winners of pony/rider: Gilbert and Ceilidh (Camp) and Lzzie and Molly (Mini-Camp) and to Harrison for winning the magnificent Camp Horsemanship Trophy and Alice for winning the Challenge Cup in the Camp Combined Training competition at the end of the week. Many of you passed Achievement Badges – Mini Grooming – Harper, Orla-Paige, Harry, Primrose, Enid, Beatrix, Arya, Grace, Austin, Tom, Poppy D, Hannah, Poppy C, Hattie, Annabelle H. Mini Points of Pony – Harper, Orla-Paige, Harry, Primrose, Enid, Beatrix, Arya, Austin. Mini Points of Tack – Poppy C, Hattie, Annabelle H, Grace. Mini Colours/Markings – Hattie, Grace, Annabelle H, Tom, Pen, Lily, Hannah. Mini Native Breeds – Lizzie, Elsa, Emily, Ella. Senior Confirmation and Pony/Rider Turnout: Eleanor, Issy H, Amelia, Sophia, Emily O. Senior Mucking Out, Bandaging – Mimi, Alice, Eleanor B, Evie, Gilbert. Senior Lorrinery – Amelia, Lara, Abbie, Gabby M, Eleanor Y, Harrison, Lily, Lila, Issy. Senior Lunging – Amelia, Lara, Abbie, Gabby M, Hamish, Eleanor Y. (Tests and Badges are put on your data base record)
The National and then Regional Championships followed the Camps and we had a number of YAS attending both. Everyone performed well and had a brilliant time, but in very big classes, it was harder to gain a top 6 placing. Special mention though to the 110m SJ team of Ellie, Amelia and Holly who won a very stiff two round competition to retain the trophy won last year! They completely held their nerves and we are all extremely proud of them bringing home the huge trophy for a second time! Other special mentions to Zac 4th in the Open Boys’ Tetrathlon, Holly 6th in the PC90 Eventing, Alice 3rd in the PC70 Eventing, Harrison 7th in the PC80 Eventing and Sophie, Eleanor, Megan and Issy coming 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th in the PC70+ Dressag
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 recommended but compulsory 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, unless informed otherwise and passports/vaccination certificates should accompany horse/ponies when travelling.
FOR SALE – ‘Swayly’ 9yo, 14.1hh bay Welsh section D. Very safe, good to shoe, clip, bath, mane pulling, loading, traffic and catching at all times. A good doer and loves people. Snaffle mouthed. Good with vet, dentist. Not an event pony, but happy to pop smaller jumps. Excellent dressage pony – affiliated with BD. Good to show. Safe on hacks alone or with others. Has hunted and gets a bit excited but not in a bad way. £10,000 ono including all tack. Tel: 07850 261760 for more info.
SPURS TEST – Anyone wishing to take this, please let me know asap. I have a couple of names down already.
PC TRIATHLONS – A few people have expressed an interest in doing PC Triathlons – swimming, running, shooting or throwing a bean bag (depending on age). There is going to be a training taster session for all ages (possibly at Julie Peach’s if dates convenient), but I do need to know how many people would be interested before arranging this. Ideally, we could enter the Hurworth triathlon and/or Autumn triathlon at the end of October. Anyone who will be shooting must have had some training before entering (we do have a registered trainer who is happy to do this). Do give it a try and let me know asap, so we can get this set up late September if possible! Age (at day of comp)/Class Details: Open 25 yrs & under: swim 4 minutes (boys)/3 minutes (girls), run 3000m (boys)/1500metres (girls), shoot 10metres. Junior 14 yrs & Under: swim 3 minutes, Run 1500m, Shoot 7metres one hand. Minimus 11 yrs & under: shoot 7 metres two hands, swim 2 minutes, run 1000 metres, Tadpoles 9 yrs & under: shoot 7 metres two hands, swim 2 minutes, run 1000 metres. Beanies 7 yrs & under: Throw beanbag at target min 3 metres, swim 2 minutes, run 500 metres. No-one under 8 yrs on competition day is allowed to shoot.