by Cassidy Nunn –
As a horse obsessed child I longed to join Pony Club – I’d heard of all the fun mounted games they played, the stable management lessons, the testing and competitions. Growing up in the city on the mainland, there wasn’t a branch of Pony Club nearby and sadly, my dreams never materialized. But thankfully that doesn’t have to be the case for horse-crazy kids here on the Island: the Greater Victoria Pony Club (GVPC) is in full swing with 17 members of varying ages (and yes, boys are welcome to join as well! This year’s membership just happens to be all girls so far).
Pony Club began in Great Britain in 1929 and has since grown into an international organization with branches of the club operating in over 30 countries. It’s well known for being an inclusive way to allow horse-loving kids (and adults too!) to learn more about horses beyond riding them. There are Pony Club Manuals with Rider Levels – from the beginner level D through to advanced – that members can work their way through over the years by completing testing each year in the fall. Just like any of the Pony Club events, participation in testing is completely optional to its membership.
I spoke with Laura Fanning, the Assistant District Commissioner of the GVPC and National Director for the island, and Kirsten Danger, the District Commissioner of the GVPC. Both Laura and Kirsten sit on the regional board as well and their children participate as club members.
For those worried about the costs involved in horse sport, Pony Club is incredibly accessible; the club is run entirely by parent volunteers and the yearly membership fee helps to pay for various guest speakers, competitions and events throughout the year. Members do not have to own or lease their own pony or horse in order to participate. “We share (horses and ponies) between club members,” says Kirsten, and strive to “make it as accessible as possible.” Most of the competitions will have the option to participate on a borrowed pony or horse, although at the upper levels it’s best to either lease or own a horse or pony. Members may also opt out of the actual riding component and focus strictly on the stable management lessons, as some budding future veterinarians or farriers choose to do. All of the events and competitions are optional and each have their own fee so members pay for the ones they’d like to participate in.
The Prince Phillip Games (PPG) are a highlight every year for many of the Pony Club members. The games are a team event and all the games are a variation on a relay race. Teams of four to five riders are timed as they work their way back and forth through a series of obstacles, such as weaving through poles, and games, such as the egg-and-spoon race. Tetrathalon is another popular competition within Pony Club that involves swimming, running, riding and shooting. This year, the International Tetrathalon competition will be held here on the Island in August in the Cowichan Valley.
Quiz is another important aspect of the club that focuses on stable management knowledge. It includes a written component, identifying different objects such as types of bits, farrier tools, horse anatomy, poisonous plants, first aid, famous horses and riders, feeds etc. The Pony Clubbers often spend the winter months doing weekly stable management lessons in preparation for both their rider level testing as well as Quiz.
“Pony Club fits into all the spaces that lessons do not,” says Kirsten. It addresses the technical part of riding, groundwork, stable management etc. that often are not covered in actual riding lessons these days. Pony Club has “made such a difference in their confidence around horses,” says Laura of her students.
If interested in joining please contact via email greatervictoriapc@gmail.com or through the Greater Victoria Pony Club Facebook page.
Photo by Nunn Other Photography.
