Well, it is official! The Durban Pony Club was revived with the first event, a fun gymkhana, held late last year at Newmarket stables in Durban. The gymkana was a huge success. The children had great fun and all won fantastic prizes.

We started the day with apple bobbing, sack racing, bending poles, and a sit-a-buck race, where all the members were given a "buck" (voucher) and had to ride a course with the voucher place in-between their legs and the saddle, to ensure the correct leg position.

We then moved on to the "amazing race", a timed combination race with many obstacles.

There were some wonderful prizes sponsored by some fantastic companies and individuals, which included Rosette Promotions, -Shavings Supply Company, Pegasus Riding Clothing, Equestrian Sport Products, Mvest -Finance, Westernshoppe, Epol, AC Smith -(accessories and clothing), Assagay Feeds, Equerry photo-graphers, Pole and Timber -Centre, Easy Equine, Equigifts, and many more.

Our next event was held on 21 December – a showjumping event starting at 18 inches. Our first class was a showing class for "best turned out", and some strict rules applied. The ponies were turned out by the rider only! The event catered for beginners all the way up to top affiliated riders.

The club will also be running either a show or training session every month. During the school holidays we also run the holiday club, where children get together and learn more about horsemanship, perform their efficiency tests, and received achievement badges.

The revival
The reason for Durban Pony Club's revival by Karen Sutton, myself and the helpful staff at Newmarket Stables in Durban, is because the equestrian sport in South Africa is in full swing, possibly at one of the best levels of horse power and rider ability this country has ever seen. But the one thing that has always been an issue for those at grassroots level, is how to get there.

The child who comes for weekly lessons on a rented pony is full of dreams for her future as an equestrian, but the problem with most riding schools is that there is no bridge from that level to the next.

Pony Club is a place where horsemanship, teamwork, riding skills and passion for the sport is cultured. That is why the Durban Pony Club at Newmarket Stables has been revived. It used to be one of the most successful clubs in the country, but the economy took its toll and things changed.

English origins
Pony Club is a movement which had its origins in England in the late 1920's and since then has grown to become the largest world riding body.

The objectives of the movement are:
• To provide instruction in riding and horsemanship, to promote safety and to instill in members an obligation to improve and maintain the proper care of their animals.
• To encourage members to improve their abilities by learning to -enjoy and participate in the different sports connected with horses and riding.
• To promote the highest ideal of sportsmanship and loyalty, thereby cultivating strength of character, -reliance and self-discipline.

During the year the branches of the Pony Club select teams and get to compete against each other. Some of the events are:
• The mounted games at Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, normally held in April at Timm's Farm.
• The camp at Mooi River, which is held after the mounted games.
• Interbranch competition, either at the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show Grounds or Shongweni Club.

If you would like to know more about the Pony Club, contact Cindy Meekers on 083 793 1061 or Karen Sutton on 082 459 7551.