In the Saddle with Anita Marsh: Becoming a Pony Club mummy

We have been talking now for some time about joining the pony club since we competed at the Wentworth and District's open show last year with our pony Jazz '“well, we have finally done it and we had an awesome first rally.

The Pony Club is a brilliant and supportive group for children to be a part of. Children love being around children and often the peer pressure can be really positive in that they attempt to try a lot more than they ever would without friends around them.

The Pony Club has been around for 85 years and it is an international voluntary youth organisation for young people interested in ponies and riding. There are around 345 branches in the UK alone and it’s been the starting point for the majority of equestrian medal winners, open to anyone up to the age of 25.

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They give instruction in riding and horsemastership, as well as promoting the highest ideals of sportsmanship and nurturing a strength of character and self discipline. I’d loved to have joined if I was seven!

We joined the Wentworth and District branch this year, as our pony Jazz has attended there over many years and has helped three little girls to move onwards and upwards gaining much confidence and skills.

She was sold to us by the club’s deputy district commissioner, Jodie Cooke, a brilliant horsewoman in her own right with two daughters who are fantastic riders, so it was a no-brainer to join.

The branch itself provides wonderful support to first-timers like our daughter. Not only that, but they help parents too and provide encouragement throughout the day across the groups. If you’d like to join Wentworth and District please contact Tina Grimes, the club secretary on 07833 984505 who will be happy to help, or visit Wentworth & District Pony Club

Until next time, happy riding everyone.