Pony Club Camp

A Pony Club Summer – Camp at Andreas

What a week for Isle of Man Pony Club! Forty children and their ponies headed to Andreas Airfield for Pony Club Camp from 26th–30th July, helped by some fabulous weather which meant the packed programme could run pretty much as planned.

Half of the members were seniors, staying for the full Camp and sleeping in bell tents kindly provided by Ballaugh Camping, while the younger members joined for two days, with parents on hand to help.

And there was certainly plenty to keep everyone busy. Riders took part in two full ridden sessions each day, with everything from flatwork, showjumping and cross-country to polo, mounted games and hacking. In between, horse care and welfare sessions gave members the opportunity to work towards Pony Club proficiency tests and achievement badges.

And achieve they did! Across the week members completed an impressive collection of E, D and D+ Tests, Bronze and Silver awards and achievement badges covering everything from fitness, field safety and saddlery to grooming, lunging, dressage arenas and showjumping. A great reminder that Camp is as much about developing knowledge and horsemanship as it is about time in the saddle.

There was plenty happening once the ponies were tucked up for the evening too, with treasure hunts, swimming and obstacle courses, before a final night featuring a bucking bronco and a whole collection of inflatables.

One experiment this year also seems to have been a particular success – no phones for members. With the rule strictly enforced, Pony Club reported how refreshing it was to see board games being played and, rather wonderfully, conversation levels going up instead!

Behind an event of this size is an enormous amount of organisation. District Commissioners Cheryl Curphey and Julie Sansbury led the operation, supported by the committee and a team of instructors, helpers, parents and volunteers who looked after everything from riders and ponies to meals, shopping, tents and evening entertainment.

Pony Club gave particular thanks to everyone who helped make the week possible, including the team at Ballaugh Camping for the bell tents, Sarah Giummri from the Abbey/Forge for the evening meals, Linda Bond for coordinating the considerable Camp shop, Barry and his work-release team, Matthew Bond for the evening activities, and the many committee members, instructors and helpers who gave their time throughout the week.

Forty children, forty ponies, five very busy days – and an awful lot of learning, laughter and memories along the way.