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MENDIP TIMES
A guide to having a pony
HOW many of us have heard our children’s pleas: “If I can have a pony I promise I’ll be really good, I’ll do all my homework on time, With JANE keep my room tidy, PATERSON and not answer back EVER.” Which apart from driving us mad, does prove that they actually do listen occasionally … so what happens next? Well, for fortunate children who are brought up in riding families, maybe live on farms or have smallholdings, riding and owning ponies is almost a rite of passage. It’s something almost everyone does, but for families who have a different lifestyle it is a bit more tricky. It’s certainly an advantage if one parent at least has some knowledge, if only to
realise the implications and sense of commitment needed before launching in seriously. Like everything these days, it’s far more difficult for children and young people to get out and enjoy themselves, take risks, push themselves, compete, and make life full of fun. Apart from the expense, there are regulations, permits, licences and all sorts of bureaucratic hoops to jump through before so many activities can take place. Aeons ago who had ever heard of risk assessment or horse passports? And certainly the feared words Health and Safety were not banded around like they are today. It was accepted that of course people had to be sensible, careful, and respectful around horses, machinery, and all that goes with it, but there were and always will be accidents in sport just as there are accidents in life itself.
SOME of the Mendip Farmers Pony Club members took part in a Tetrathlon in July, hosted by the Beaufort branch. There were mixed fortunes for some, minidisasters for others, but huge success for Isabella Penfold, aged ten, who won her class and was awarded a special prize for Best Ride. In a mixed team, she also achieved a
team First, so special congratulations to Izzy and her pony Eclipse who have been working together for a couple of years now and have gone from strength to strength. Charlotte Smith, aged 11, also had amazing results at West Wilts One Day Event, coming first in her class, qualifying for the Championships on her own Pebbles. They stormed round the cross country in an exciting ride. Not so long ago Charlotte would probably not have had the courage to go out and do it, but determination and hard work have paid off and rewarded Charlotte with this great achievement. The summer holidays are here and Pony Club Camps will be taking place shortly. This is a chance for the children and ponies to combine work with confidence building, learn to blend together in teams, and generally improve their skills. The Mounted Games Competitions will be held towards the end of the month too, so everyone will be
Izzy Parsons
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Bluebell
Maybe it has been the increase in litigation, with the need to apportion blame for accidents, which has made people far more reluctant to dive in. One of the reasons why many riding schools have closed has been that all the rules and regulations have prevented them from operating anymore.
busy and kept out of trouble…or will they? We shall see! Happy holidays everybody and good luck and thanks to all the Instructors and organisers, not to mention the mums and dads who make it all possible.
Charlotte Smith
