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Check out our re-designed webpage for

all branch news and activities!.

1

Check out our website

-to keep up to date with branch news and events!

Dear all,

After the excitement and the success at HOYS for the musical ride and the mounted games team, winter is now well and truly underway with soggy ponies and even soggier gateways! However the longest day is just round the corner and spring will soon be here. May we offer a warm Cheshire Hunt North welcome to all our new members and their parents? We hope you throw yourself into branch life and make the most of all the opportunities that arise. Contact our new member liaison committee member, Sally Hayward, if you are not sure about what to wear or what a rally is, (amongst other things!). We look forward to seeing you out and about.

The winter programme is well underway and it is so nice to see you all at the various activities. The Winter League show jumping teams have already visited North Wales 3 times and the A55 has become a familiar route! Well done to all our intrepid members and their families for making the journey to compete for our branch. Check out the league results on our website.

Our own Winter League show jumping competitions at Aintree are just around the corner and all are invited to come and represent the branch. We also need you all to come and help! Remember, all our competitions directly subsidise the branch activities; rallies and training events. Likewise, we also have our first indoor friendly mounted games competition at Aintree and once again help would be appreciated.

We are entering a very exciting year for our branch. We are 80 years old in 2010! The branch began in 1930; one year after the Pony Club was launched. What a year we have planned for you all! We are aiming to complete 80 activities throughout the year, ranging from creating a branch T towel with all your names and pony pics on, to a grand afternoon Tea Party in the summer where hopefully members old and new will gather together to celebrate our anniversary. Further information will be displayed in the newsletter and on the website.

The main focus of the year will be raising the profile of our branch, along with raising awareness of our branch charity. We will be all “Riding for Ross”, in support of the Christopher Clarke Cancer Research Fund; a charity that is very dear to our hearts, ( Watch the branch website for details of the grand launch on 1st January 2010. You are all invited to join in!

Following on from the success at HOYS and over the last year, we have also been asked to perform two musical ride displays; A “Mamma Mia” dressage to music extravaganza at the British Dressage Winter Championships and a display at Warrington Horse Show in May. For the dressage display, members will be selected according to the criteria and the other display will be open to all. It will be a similar format to the Royal Show display we performed last year. It will be a true celebration of our branch and all things Pony Club! Again information will follow after Christmas.

Finally, Gail, the branch committee and I all wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Don’t forget your ponies and horses in all the Christmas merriment! They too deserve a special cuddle for all the work they do for you over the year. We look forward to seeing you all at the Christmas Fun rally and look forward every year to the fabulous fancy dress costumes!

We hope to see you all out and about in the branch and good luck in all you do. Best wishes to all.

Joan

Joan Deakin – District Commissioner

Winter programme.

The autumn/winter programme is now well under way and all the rallies/training sessions have been extremely well attended. For new members (and a reminder to existing members), the following may be helpful:

1. Get your entries in early to avoid disappointment.
2. Enter on an official entry form, (enclosed, but also can be downloaded from the branch website)
3. Entries for branch activities usually close one week before the rally/training event, (unless specified), however some rallies may get full before this date.
4. Check the dress code. Take pride in your and your pony’s appearance. Be proud to be a member of our branch.
5. Make a note of the venue! We do use different venues as our members live in different areas.
6. If you have entered a rally and have to withdraw, unless we have a waiting list and can fill your place, then unfortunately your entry fee cannot be refunded. Please check for clashes! Instructors and venues still have to be paid!
7. If you do have to withdraw from a rally please inform THE PERSON WHO YOU SENT THE ENTRIES TO, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If there is a waiting list you may be entitled to a refund.
8. Times for the rally will be posted on the branch website, please check the website regularly.
9. All cheques payable to CHNPC or Cheshire Hunt North branch of the Pony Club.
10. Post dated cheques will reserve the rally place, in advance. However, cheques must be dated at least 10 days PRIOR to the date of the rally.
11. DO NOT feel the need to write multiple cheques. Our poor treasurer then has to log, enter and pay in all the individual cheques! As long as you put on the back of the cheque which rallies the cheque is for, plus the member’s name, this will save Brian Bibby a lot of time and effort.

NEW MEMBERS.

Welcome to all our new members – it will be great to meet you at our various events. Unsure about what to wear at the rallies, or what happens at a One Day Event, etc? Fancy going hunting and want to know more? Contact Sally Hayward, 01606 851928, from our committee and she will gladly assist in any enquiries. Do come and launch yourselves into pony club life – it certainly is great fun and you will soon meet other members of your own age.

A plea for help! Parents – your branch needs you!

Throughout the year, our branch runs many different types of competitions and events, at branch level, area level and national level. We are a highly successful branch and, as a result, many of our training rallies are subsidised by the branch. However, in order to continue to be successful we need more help! From putting up marquees, buttering bread in earnest, to fence judging and the clearing up at the end! Please don’t wait to be asked, it’s a great way to meet all the committee and getting to know all the other parents. Whether you have only an hour, half a day or maybe a whole day, your help will be gratefully received. Remember, a lot of organising goes on behind the scenes - have you access to printing facilities/photocopying, catering supplies, to name just a couple? Are you handy with a hammer, (you too can join our Dynamo Dads, recently on display in Horse and Hound!), or maybe you make a mean cup of tea?

Whatever skill you have got – we can make use of it! See any committee member and come and join us. We will be asking for help over the coming months at our indoor show jumping competitions at Aintree and other branch events. We really do appreciate the help and the surplus raised benefits the members directly through subsidising rallies etc. A huge thank you in advance!

Stable management evenings

at Hollins Farm, Hermitage Lane, Cranage, Holmes Chapel, CW4 8DP.

(Enter via the Granary Conference Rooms entrance on Twemlow Lane).

A course of stable management training evenings have been organised, working towards the proficiency tests. See the enclosed flyer and entry form included with this newsletter.

The Manual of Horsemanship is the Pony Club essential manual. Order a copy NOW from David Knowles in preparation for the training. Tel 01477 534722.

Working rallies

Working rallies are deemed to be the “backbone” of the pony club. They are a mix of flatwork and jumping, with a fun element included and each lesson is usually for 1 hour in groups of no more than 6. Groups are selected by age and ability, and when working towards Proficiency Tests, by tests already taken and passed. Stable management will also be included in the Saturday rallies – timings will be displayed on the branch website, including details of items to bring along.

Enclosed with the newsletter is a comprehensive guide to what to wear when! There is NO excuse not to be correctly dressed! Remember, our presentation is one of the reasons our branch is given many opportunities. Look on the main pony club website ( at the rules for each discipline to make sure your tack is allowed. Please note the Pony Club rules may be different to other equestrian clubs/organisations you may belong to, however they have to be adhered to. The rules are devised to ensure the well being and safety of the rider and the horse/pony. Remember, if a branch official has a word with you about an item of dress or tack, it is to help you – not to be seen as a criticism. If you are unsure of any rule etc, please contact any branch official; we are there to help you!

At all our venues, please help us by taking your turn to “poo pick” the arena and keep the car park clear of horse muck and rubbish. That way we will always be welcome! Also please note at Huntersgate, will ALL cars park on the left as you enter the gate. Branch officials are ALL volunteers so do say thank you at the end of your rally.

All working rally entries to Joan Deakin, (address at end of working rally section)

Working rallies at Huntersgate, Byley

• Saturday 9th January 2010 1-5pm

Working rally with stable management. Quiz and Horse and Pony Care competition practice at this rally.

• Saturdays 13th February & 20th March 2010 1-5pm Working rally with stable management.

Tuesday evening working rallies with Bianca Bairstow.

Delamere Manor, Cuddington, CW8 2TE

(Please note – older members and C test holders will have priority at this rally – if places left, they will then be allocated to younger members. Entries and fee to Joan, see below).

Lessons in groups of 4 (ridden instruction only)

Tuesday 6pm-9pm: January 26th,February 9th & 23rd, March 9th & 23rd.

Instructional working rallies with Jane Carruthers

At Forest Gate Farm, Delamere Road, Norley, Cheshire, WA6 6NF

Once again in order to work her magic on all our members, we have been invited to Forest Gate Farm, Norley. The rallies with Jane are always enjoyable and a great learning experience. Lessons are in groups of 6 for one hour at a cost of £7.50 per rally, (no stable management). Due to the popularity of these rallies, members may only enter 2 rallies. Please specify on entry form. Dress as for a working rally. Entries to Joan Deakin, (see below).

Saturdays: 16th January 2-5pm 6th February 2-5pm 6th March 2–5pm

Thursday: 25th February 6-8pm (Members – note clash with Winter League 6.2.10)

Payment for working rallies: Each rally is £7.50. Lessons are usually in groups of 5 or 6, unless stated.

To enter – complete a rally form, STATING THE DATE AND VENUE OF RALLY. Send with cheque to Ms Joan Deakin, 32 Byley Lane, Cranage, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8EJ. Entries close one week before the date of rally. Please note no refunds possible after closing date. Rallies are non-profit making.

An Equine Complementary Therapy evening at Hollins Farm, Hermitage Lane, Cranage, CW3 8DP

By kind permission of the Hocknell family.

(Please use The Granary Conference Rooms entrance off Twemlow Lane).

Monday 11th January 7.00pm – 8.30pm

All parents and members welcome to an informative and useful evening, learning all about the complimentary therapy of Reiki. Samantha, an equine Reiki practitioner will inform us of the benefits to our four legged friends. Light refreshments will be served. £2 (payable on night).

Ring Sally to book your place, (for refreshments!) : Sally Hayward, (New member liaison). Tel 01606 851928

The Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care Competition

This competition is now an integral part of The Pony Club Championships

Teams of three Members are asked to show their ability to look after, safely and with confidence, the welfare of the horse, demonstrating their practical and theoretical knowledge of equine husbandry as required by The Pony Club tests.

Our branch is hosting the area qualifier on Sunday 21st February 2010 at Limes Farm, Barthomley. Would you like to represent the branch in a team? There are senior and junior teams; the categories are below:

Junior:

• Junior team members to be 13 years and under on 1st January.

• With at least one member to be 11 years and under on 1st January.

• The Junior Competition is on The Pony Club Tests ‘D’ to ‘C’

Horsemastership.

Senior:

• Senior team members to be between 14 and 20 years on 1st January.

• With at least one member to be 16 years and under on 1st January.

• The Senior Competition is on The Pony Club Tests ‘C+’ to ‘AH’

Horsemastership. - This competition is not a quiz – but a theoretical and practical test as per our Pony Care.

If you are interested in representing our branch on a team, contact Anna Sherry as soon as possible. We will be training at the working rallies and additional training will be organised. Contact Anna now!

Tel 07880500369 or email

Want to know more about the competition and to view practice tasks? Log on to and check out the activities page.

Fancy being on our quiz team?

Sunday 17th January 2010. Area 5 National Pony Club quiz qualifier. Organised by the Tanatside branch. Contact Anna Sherry if you are interested in representing our branch. Training will be organised.

The topics for the 2010 National Quiz are:

• The Pony Club
• Farm Animals & Working Dogs
• On the Highway / Tack
• Horse & Pony Care
• Practical Round (Individual)
• Castles, Royalty & Horses (Pairs)
• Picture Round
• Crazy Horse Parts

There will be no Joker. One AH test holder in each team will be allowed to take part in the National Quiz. New members come along and have a go. This is a great way to meet other members and learn something new at the same time!

Introduction to Mounted Games working rally at Huntersgate, Byley.

Sunday 10th January 2010, 1– 5pm

A must for all potential mounted games riders! Come along and have a taster session of Prince Philip Cup Mounted Games. All members of any age are welcome. This rally will be split into age groups, 10yrs and under, (juniors) and 11 years and over, (seniors). No ponies over 14.2hh. Dress as per a working rally, (cream jods!). Look on the branch website for rally list.

£5 per person. Please send entry form and remittance, clearly stating age, to:

Pennie Drummond, Pine View Farm, 69 Northwich Road, Cranage, Nr Knutsford, WA16 9LE.

Mounted games practices.

For the last 2 years our senior A team have achieved the highest accolade of all, riding at the Horse of the Year Show! Would you like to be there one day? If you would, then come along to the mounted games practices. The following practices have been arranged. £5 per rider per practice, payable either in advance or on the day. Information on the first couple of competitions is also included in the calendar. We strongly advise you all to read the mounted games rules on the main Pony Club website,

Want to know more about mounted games in our branch? Contact Pennie.

The following practices have been booked:

• 22nd January & 29th January6.30pm – 8.30pm
• 7th February & 14th February2pm – 4pm
• 19th February & 26th February 6.30pm – 8.30pm
• 7th March2pm – 4pm
• 12th March & 19th March 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Please note at each practice the Juniors will ride for the 1st hour and seniors practise for the 2nd hour. All practices will be at Huntersgate, Byley, unless stated. Dress code as per a working rally, however BLACK jodphurs may be worn.

Entries and enquiries to: Pennie Drummond, Pine View Farm, 69 Northwich Road, Cranage, Nr Knutsford, WA16 9LE. Tel 07796202160

POLOCROSSE.

Trained and coached by Rob Gilsenan, last year our 2 polocrosse teams went to the National Championships and had a ball! This is a real team sport which is action packed and great fun. Not played before? Don’t have any equipment? Don’t worry – we have the equipment and will also teach you the skills needed. Just come along and have a go! Teams will be selected from the members who attend practices.

POLOCROSSE events we will be sending teams to:

Sunday 2nd & Monday 3rd May 2010 – we have been invited by Headquarters to send 2 teams to compete at the Leicestershire County Show. A great honour!

SUNDAY MAY 16TH, at Northern Racing College,Bawtry,Doncaster; polocrosse training day and fun chukkas, hosted by Rockwood Harriers Pony Club.

Regional training day – Date to be confirmed. Attendance will enable us to go forward and compete at the National Championships.

Practices: Fridays 6-8pm at Huntersgate. £5 per session. Entry form plus remittance to Joan Deakin, 32 Byley Lane, Cranage, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8EJ. (Others will be organised)