South and West Wilts Hunt Branch of the Pony Club
Member’s Handbook
Welcome to South West Wilts Pony Club! We are a small, friendly and very active branch with a host of events and activities on offer for our members.
Whether you are from a long line of pony clubbers or a complete newcomer, we hope this handbook will help you understand the way we work as a branch and help you get the most from your membership.
We also try to keep the branch website updated with all necessary information. Be considerate of your group leaders and their workload/sanity! If you’ve forgotten a date, lost a programme or have a general query, please check the website to try to resolve the issue before contacting your group leaders!
If you have a question that isn’t answered here or on the branch website or need any further guidance, please feel free to contact your Group Leader or DC at anytime. They are happy to help with genuine enquiries!
We wish you a long and happy future with SWW!
Branch Structure
Members are broken into 4 different groups depending on age/ability.
Minis
Our youngest members will join Mini Group, led by Julie Gillman.
Mini members range from 3 – 9 years and may be on or off the lead rein.
The focus at Mini level is fun. Working rallies offer gentle, age appropriate instruction for even the most novice child. There are also Care Rallies, Easter Egg Hunts, Picnic Rides and Mini Competitions run at this level. Mini members are lucky enough to have their very own, 3 day long summer camp, which for many, will be the highlight of their Pony Club year. Tetrathlon is also very popular at Mini level with lots of opportunities to join a team for even the youngest children.
Our Mini Members will grow and develop until they reach D Test Standard (See the Efficiency Tests section on our branch website), generally at the age of 9.
Juniors
Junior group is led by Sarah Cutler and is for members aged approximately 9-12 years.
During their time in Junior Group, members will generally achieve their D + Test and will often begin to experience the different disciplines on offer to pony club members, e.g. show jumping and dressage. Some Junior members will also begin to feature in pony club teams.
Intermediates
Inters members are led by Claire Johnson and are usually aged 13-15.
At this stage, members tend to have reached a relatively high standard of riding and will be offered a higher level of instruction than that on offer for younger members. Many of the inters activities are run alongside our Senior group and are aimed at the more mature member.
Seniors
Also run by Claire Johnson, Senior group is for members aged 16+. Senior members have usually reached a very high standard of riding and will be competitive members of the branch. Although most members join us at the younger levels, it’s never too late to join and we do have some new members at Senior level.
Rides/Activities
There are lots of activities to enjoy within SWW, both mounted and unmounted, all taught within age groups to enable an appropriate level of instruction.
Working Rallies – Standard rallies for members. Working rallies may focus on flatwork or jumping at the discretion on the instructor.
Care Rallies – Unmounted rallies for members to learn good stable management and horse and pony care. Members will work towards Mini Achievement Badges or Pony Club Efficiency Tests. The Pony Club produces some lovely learning materials to make these rallies fun for even the youngest members.
Discipline Rallies – Specific rallies focussing on Dressage or Show Jumping, run by their respective team leaders. SJ rallies are generally for those jumping competitively at 2’ and above and will be broken into ability groups where possible. Dressage rallies are open to all members and are taught as individual 20 minute sessions.
Camps – There are 2 Summer Camps which run every year in July/August. Mini members have their own, 3 day, non-residential camp at the end of July and Juniors/Inters/Seniors all come together for 5 days of main camp at the beginning of August.
Additional Activities – Extra activities are also available at certain times of year. Gridwork is a common feature in the Winter programme, XC rallies are often available for older members throughout the summer and Tetrathlon training is also run regularly for anyone keen to attend.
BOOKING AND ATTENDING RALLIES
As a branch, we produce 3 rally/activities programmes every year which will be sent by email to all members. We appreciate how busy children (and parents!) are these days, so every effort is made to get the programmes out in good time. Each programme covers a period of 4 months, enabling you to plan ahead.
There will be rallies for all age groups and abilities. Please be realistic about the level your child is riding at and book them into appropriate activities!
Some rallies will be organised by your group leader whilst others, such as dressage and show jumping, are organised by team managers. If you wish to book into any rallies/activities, each programme comes with a full set of return slips and all necessary contact details. Simply return your reply slips with the appropriate fee to the rally organiser named on the slip, as early as possible.
Cheques should be made payable to South & West Wilts Hunt Branch of the Pony Club (No abbreviations!).
If circumstances change and you need to withdraw from a rally,please let the organiser know as soon as possible as there may be a waiting list. A refund cannot be guaranteed as a commitment to cost will have been made.
REMEMBER to ring/email the rally organiser the day before the rally for your specific ride time. There may be more than one ride on the day and you may not be first in!
Let the organiser know when you book if you are sharing transport.
Arrive a minimum of 20 minutes before the start time so that you are ready to ride on time. If you arrive late you may not be allowed to join in.
You will get to know your group leaders/team managers very quickly if you attend rallies regularly. Please remember to thank your instructor and the organiser before you leave – a lot of work goes into the planning and running of rallies and a thank you goes a long way!
Take to all rallies the necessary equipment for removing droppings, straw etc from parking areas before you leave. Many people give freely of their venue but do not appreciate having to clear up behind you after you have gone.
CORRECT DRESS FOR RALLIES
The Pony Club has recently relaxed some of its standards of dress/turnout to create a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for new members. New members will not be disciplined for the use of coloured numnahs/browbands/hat silks etc.
However, traditional turnout is encouraged and it’s helpful if established members set a good example to new! As a branch, we hold a stock of Turnout rosettes which are awarded on an ‘as and when’ basis at rallies to those dressed appropriately. Please use the following guidelines when dressing for a rally.
Hat: An approved safety hat must be worn at all times when mounted. Please see the main pony club website for current standards (which can change frequently) or follow the link, All members must have their hats tagged (currently with a white hat tag) to confirm that they meet current standards. Please speak to your group leader if you need your hat checked/tagged.
Hat Cover:
Black, navy blue or brown. Hair nets are essential for girls with long hair.
Shirt
Most members wear the branch Polo shirt (long sleeves if jumping) for rallies.
A white/blue collared shirt may also be worn, accompanied by the Pony Club Tie (Stock if holder of ‘B’ test or Senior Area Team member).
A white/blue shirt and pony club tie must be worn for all Pony Club Tests.
Pony club branch sweatshirts may be worn on colder days. Metal badges must not be worn on t shirts or jumpers.
For Pony Club Tests, Tweed Jackets must be worn with the Pony Club Badge (and any efficiency test felts) displayed on the lapel.
Jodhpurs may be beige or navy but not denim.
Riding/Jodphur Bootsmust be black or brown. Jodphur boots should be worn with matching chaps or jodhpur clips.Boots must be clean for all rallies.
Glovesshould be worn by all members and must be plain, usually black, brown or navy.
Coats may be worn in cold/wet weather. Branch jackets are available to buy or other coats may be worn provided they have no hood (for safety) and can be zipped or fastened securely.
The Pony Club does not make the use of body protectors compulsory, except for all Cross Country and Pony Racing (all training and competing), however they are encouraged at all rallies. Body Protectors must comply with current standard (Beta 2009, Level 3).
Spurs are only allowed to be worn by those who have passed the riding part of their ‘B’ Test or those carrying written permission from the DC.
CORRECT DRESS FOR CROSS COUNTRY:
Hat – Tagged, no fixed peak.
PC sweatshirt/rugby shirt.
Body protector (must conform to BETA 2009, Level 3 to meet 2016 standard).
A Medical armband is essential for all XC rallies and competitions. A medical armband may also be required at camp if XC is included in the programme.
CORRECT TURNOUT FOR HORSES/PONIES
Neck strapsare to be worn by all horses and ponies at all types of rallies. A spare stirrup leather can be used as a suitable neck strap.
Stirrups must have 7mm (1/4”) clearance on either side of riders boot.
Tack including numnahs & boots/bandages is expected to be clean as are rider’s boots, clothing & Pony Club Badge. The DC takes a dim view of those incorrectly dressed or with a poor standard of turnout.
Numnahs/Browbands – Plain white, navy, brown or black is preferred but colours/logos are acceptable.
Ponies need not be plaited for rallies but must be clean and well presented. We appreciate that some ponies live out all year, many on heavy clay and so accept that ponies will not always be immaculate at winter rallies (particularly after school, when preparation time is short). However, every effort should be made to have ponies as clean as possible.
CORRECT DRESS FOR CARE RALLIES:
Jeans/slacks & Pony Club t-shirt/sweatshirt with sensible footwear. No Jewellery is allowed for safety reasons.
TRANSPORTING YOUR HORSE OR PONY: Members must adhere to the law and carry their pony or horse passport with them whenever they transport their horse/pony to a rally or competition. Water should be available to horses and ponies when tied at trailers/lorries.
Regular Venues
You’ll often see the same venues featuring throughout our programmes. Regular members know these places well but as a new member, you may need to ask your group leaders for directions as some of them are rather tucked away! All our venues will have appropriate parking/turning facilities so you don’t have to be a master at reversing to get in and out!
Frequent venues are as follows –
‘Charnage’ features regularly in Mini and Junior Programmes. We are extremely lucky to have such a lovely venue available to us as a branch. Charnage boasts an outdoor arena, kitchen area for teas and coffees, cosy barn for care sessions and toilet facilities. We are even permitted to use the outdoor swimming pool on occasion! Please remember to say ‘thank you’ to the owners, Mr and Mrs White, should you see them around the venue!
Charnage is easily accessible from the A303 and can be found at Charnage Farm, Pimperleaze Road, Mere, BA12 6AR.
South Barrow Equestrian Centre is run by our regular show jumping instructor, Ed Hobbs. It boasts an outdoor arena, good range of jumps and a small parking/turning area. South Barrow Equestrian can be found at Sparkford, Yeovil, BA22 7LD.
The Fonthill Estateis often used for Dressage/XC rallies. It boasts a small outdoor arena and a XC course. Take the main driveway under the grand arch at SP3 5SH and follow the road.
Manor Farm, Teffontis another popular venue with an indoor and outdoor school. The venue can be found Teffont Magna, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 5QY.
Downlands Equestrian Centre is a wonderful yard with both indoor and outdoor school, XC schooling field and riding paddocks. Downlands can be found at Downlands Church Farm, Warminster BA12 7AB.
Toomer Farm has a great XC course and plenty of field based parking. Toomer Farm can be easily found at Sherborne Rd, Templecombe BA8 0PH.
Warminster Saddle Club has both an indoor and outdoor school, XC course and good parking. Oxendene Stables/Oxendene, Warminster BA12 0DZ
Eccliffe Equestrian is often used through the winter as it has a great indoor school.Eccliffe Equestrian can be found at Presthayes Farm, Gillingham SP8 5RE.
The Half Moon Stud is often used for rallies and competitions and can be found in Motcombe, Shaftesbury SP7 9PL.
The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Showground is often used for our Summer Show. The showground is easily found in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP84PY.
Useful Contacts
ACTING DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: Ms Henrietta Woodwood Email –
Brickhouse Farm, Charlton Musgrove, Wincanton.
SECRETARY: Mr Jonathan Markendale, Tel: 01963 371068/07793134481 Email
Boundary Farm, Buckhorn Weston, Gillingham, Dorset, SP85HW.
TREASURER: Mrs Sally Williams Email –
HEALTH& SAFETY OFFICER: Mrs Sarah Cutler –
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR: Miss Gaye Farquharson Tel: 01747 840450
07785 185007
SENIOR/INTERMEDIATE GROUP LEADER: Mrs Clare Johnson Tel: 01747 826891
JUNIOR GROUP LEADER: Mrs Sarah CutlerEmail –
MINI GROUP LEADER: Mrs Julie Gillman, Ivy Cottage, Gillingham, Dorset.Email –
TETRATHLON: Mrs Hannah Fowler
EVENTING: Ms Henrietta Woodwood
DRESSAGE: Mrs Kerstin Coward,
SHOWJUMPING: Mrs Nikki Raymond
JUNIOR CAMP: Mrs Hannah Fowler & Ms Sophie Douglas 07973 822583
MERCHANDISE: Mrs Marie Jones Email –
WEBSITE MANAGER:Mr Jonathan Markendale
Remember, you must renew your Pony Club membership every year! Renewal forms will be sent out in December and must be returned with payment by 31st January! Please consider your secretary’s workload and get your forms in on time!