Mendip Farmers Pony Club Summer Camp at Burcott

The annual Mendip Farmers

Pony Club summer Day Camp took place last week, and saw children and young

people from across the district take to the fields of Burcott Riding School near Wells for an action packed week of horsey fun.

The Mendip branch of the Pony

Club was established in 1930 and is one of 340 branches across the UK. The Pony Club is the largest association of riders

in the world and membership is available up until the age of 21, with associate

membership until 25. For those that aren’t saddled with their own pony or horse but

would jump at the chance to join, there are still many opportunities to

join and become involved, through individual affiliated riding centres for example.

The day camp at Burcott was

a brilliant opportunity for participants to develop and fine tune their

equestrian skills and knowledge. Like other voluntary youth organisations, the

Pony Club awards badges for tests and training, with achievement tests in areas

such as Handling and Grooming, Tack Cleaning, Equine First Aid and Points of

the Horse. Non-equine badges are also offered in subjects such as Wildlife and

Public Speaking. Last week saw many young people complete the all important

progression tests at C, D and D+ level and take Road Safety training and Stable

Management training. There were also daily group inspections in cleanliness of

tack, pony and rider turnout, with points awarded to encourage improvement.

Instructors were in

attendance all week to take groups through instruction in dressage, show

jumping and cross-country, which culminated in a competition one-day event on

Saturday. Many young riders and their ponies achieved significant improvement

and experience during the week and this was reflected in the final Presentation

which saw every child leave with at least one rosette to reward their individual

and group achievements and successes. The experience was entirely positive,

with the emphasis from the organisers and staff very much on encouraging and

developing skills and rewarding progression and achievement. The children also

formed many new friendships and were able to offer support and encouragement to

each other throughout the week.

By the end of Saturday afternoon

when many were towing trailers away and heading home for a well-earned rest,

the atmosphere was both exuberant and tinged with a little sadness that the

week had come to an end. Some lucky ones will go on to the residential camp

next week at Stockland Lovell where the fun begins again! For more information

on joining the Pony Club or finding out more about what the organisation does

in this area, visit the Mendip Farmers Pony Club website.