Centre Bulletin November 2016
Introduction Dear Centres, It s been a busy year throughout the Country and Overseas for the Pony Club Centre Membership Scheme, I have particularly enjoyed visiting a number of the linked Centres to see the fun and educational activities taking place for our members. The Pony Club Centre News is always jam packed with photographs and information for us all to see, please continue to send details in for the magazine and social media and we will do our very best to fit it all in!! The Centre Membership Committee, made up of volunteers and Centre Proprietors, is constantly working hard to develop the scheme. The Committee advises on a number of different areas for the benefit of Centre Membership overall, and ensure that Centres are represented at all levels within the Pony Club. Alongside some of the examples illustrated in further detail below, the Committee is also broadening the Horse and Pony Care offering to reach into industry and always looking to improve our offering to Centres and the Members while maintaining standards and ensuring a quality service. We hope you all continue to enjoy the resources, badges, tests, activities and fun that the Pony Club Centre Membership offers you within your Riding Schools. We are always here to help, offer support or talk about initiatives at the Pony Club Office or through your Centre Coordinator. Thank you, Katy Powell-Jones Chairman of Centre Membership Important Notice Membership subscription fees 2017 From the 1st January 2017, the Centre Membership subscription will be 29. New Membership forms will be distributed to Centres during December. Centre Plus membership from 1st January 2017 will be in line with Branch Pony Club Membership which is 72
Project Update Racing to School www.racingtoschool.co.uk In the school year, Sept 2015 to July 2016, over 5500 young people (primary and secondary school age) attended workshops held by Racing to School. As part of the workshop, the young people are introduced to what Pony Club is and all go away with a list of Pony Club Centres (and Branches) within a 20 miles radius of their school. The team from Racing to School are also able to offer racing rally activities to Branches and Centres. Please let us know if you would be interested in hosting a racing training day for your members and we can help put you in touch with someone who could come in to deliver this. Google Adwords This is an online marketing project designed to increase visibility of Pony Club offerings throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is aimed at new younger riders who perhaps have not considered horse riding as an activity. The Pony Club applied for and successfully received a grant to spend on Google Adwords and we are working alongside an expert in this area to maximise the benefit of this grant where potential members and new young riders will be introduced to their local Centre (or Branch). We will keep Centres advised of progress as this project develops. Pony Club Membership Database We apologise that this has taken longer to release to Centres than planned. Further work has been needed to ensure that the database will be fit for purpose from a Centres Office Team perspective. We are working hard to bring this project to all Centres as soon as possible. Regional Centre Workshops The Centre Office team have made it out to seven Pony Club Areas this year meeting proprietors and their coaches. We are looking forward to visiting all other Areas in 2017! School Games - working alongside the BEF Equestrianism has had a free to download activity offering as part of the School Games since 2012 www.yourschoolgames.com. The activity cards are currently being reviewed and will be updated to ensure that they are fit for purpose and usable for both riding centres and schools. We are aware that a large number of riding centres already work with their local primary and secondary schools for enriched learning and riding opportunities and we are looking to recognise the good work that is already taking place. Posters and leaflets We have supplies of leaflets and a new A2 poster design promoting Centre Membership if you would like one sending out to update your Pony Club notice board. New customisable event posters and an arena banner template will also be available. Tradestands and Events We have attended a number of national events this year with our trade stand promoting membership alongside merchandise sales: venues have included Badminton, Windsor, Connect with the Countryside, Bolesworth International, Burghley, HOYS, West Country Equine Event and Olympia. This is in addition to other regional events where individual Branches and Centres have had a presence.
Training Continuing Professional Development (CPD) All sign in sheets for CPD events should be sent in to the Pony Club office. Please can you notify the office of any CPD events that are being run so that they can be listed on the website. Member Training We have an area of the website that we can list Member training opportunities being run by Branches, Centres and Areas, if you have any event that you would like to be listed at https://goo.gl/vtrnmu, please send the information to us in the office. Pony Club Talent Pathway We are pleased to welcome Aberystwyth University as the new sponsor for the Pony Club Talent Pathway (formerly RDP). The scheme will run training days through February and March in addition to training/assessment days in April. Entry requirements have been reviewed to allow wider participation, so more Members will have the opportunity to take part. Please keep an eye on the website where dates will be listed. B+/A Test training days The dates for B+/A test training days are available as show at https://goo.gl/kdvcnw A Test dates The A test dates for 2017 are available as shown at https://goo.gl/6skh7w
Dressage Dengie Winter League Dressage Prelim Rounds at Novice, Intermediate and Open level take place until the end of February 2017 and are open to all Branch and Centre Members, and also non-members, from any Area. Those who qualify will go forward to their Area Competition in March; any qualifying non-members must join a Branch or Centre to be able to compete at the Area Competition. More information, rules and competition dates can be found on the Dengie Dressage page of the website, as well as information about running a Prelim Round: https://goo.gl/1hqyil Dressage Anywhere Online Dressage Championships Congratulations to everyone who qualified for and took part in the 2015/2016 Championships. You can find out the final results at https://goo.gl/uihp36 Each 1st to 3rd placed rider will receive a medal and a set of NAF s Fab Four products to pamper their ponies and keep them extra shiny. The Champion from each class will receive an invite to Team Hayler s yard to meet International dressage rider Bobby Hayler and her horses. Thank you to Dressage Anywhere for hosting the competition and to NAF and Team Hayler for their support in running this Championship. Keep an eye out for information about the next competition.
Eventing Dressage Tests To come in line with Eventing terminology the Area and Championship Eventing Dressage tests will be re-named in 2017. The content of the tests will remain the same. New Name The Pony Club Novice Eventing Test 2013 PC90 Eventing Test 2013 The Pony Club Novice Eventing Championship Test 2015 The Pony Club Intermediate Eventing Test 2015 The Pony Club Intermediate Eventing Championship Test 2013 PC90 Eventing Championship Test 2015 PC100 Eventing Test 2015 PC100 Eventing Championship Test 2013 The Pony Club Open Eventing Test 2010 PC Open Eventing Test 2010 The Pony Club Open Eventing Championship Test 2015 PC Open Eventing Championship Test 2015 The tests available to download online will be changed as of 1st January 2017 but paper copies purchased through the Pony Club Shop may still carry the old name until the stock is replenished. New Dressage Test The Pony Club Novice Dressage Championship Test will be updated for 2017. Tests to be used at Area Competitions and the Championships can be found on the Dressage Tests page of the website: https://goo.gl/tefmby Please also note that the maximum time for a Freestyle Dressage to Music test will be increased to 5 minutes.
Tetrathlon Eventing and Tetrathlon Study days for Stewards and Officials Please see the Eventing section of this bulletin for details of the Eventing and Tetrathlon Study Days. Tetrathlon Grassroots Competition This year sees the fourth year of the Grassroots Tetrathlon Competition at The Pony Club Tetrathlon Championships. This will be the second year that both Branch and Centre Members can take part in the competition, but competitors must not have competed at Junior level Tetrathlon or above at Regional or Area competitions. Teams to consist of three or four Members and can be of mixed gender. One competitor aged 12 or under One competitor aged 14 or under One competitor aged 16 or under One competitor aged 21 or under (Minimum age is 8 years old on the day of competition) All other ages should be taken as on 1st January 2017. The competition will consist of a maximum of 10 teams. Entries will be taken on a first come first served basis, with an equal split of five Branch and five Centre teams being given priority. All entries must be signed off prior to shooting as being competent to shoot by the D.C./Centre Proprietor or nominated Team Manager. Branches and Centres unable to field a full team may form mixed teams with other Branches/Centres in a similar situation. Closing date for entries is 31st July 2017. Entries can be completed online at http://events.pcuk.org from January 2017 Competition Outline Swim - 3 minutes Shoot - 7 metres, turning targets Ride Show Jumping course with a slip rail and a halt box. (Heights to be between 2ft to 2ft 6in (60cm-75cm)). Run - 1000m Full competition rules can be found here: https://goo.gl/vrf5bo Please contact Helen (helen@pcuk.org) if you have any questions about entering a team. Winter Triathlon The Winter Triathlon season is here and Area Qualifiers have begun for what is one of the busiest Tetrathlon Competitions of the year. The Winter Triathlon Finals will be taking place at Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Milton Keynes on Sunday the 19th March 2017. Details of Area Qualifiers and the competition rules can be found on the website at: https://goo.gl/jf5xs8
Mounted Games Well done to Branches & Centres for taking part in Mounted Games at all levels this year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2017. Training available to host or attend for Members and Trainers at any level (Branches, Centres, Areas): Have a Go Training day for Novice/ Beginner M.G. Study Day/Afternoon/Evening for Trainers & Line Stewards Friendly Competitions for all levels including lead rein To hold any of the above please contact kelly@pcuk.org Home International Competition, Royal Windsor Horse Show, 9th -14th May 2017 The closing date for RWHS nominations is Friday 20th January 2017 Download the invite letter here: https://goo.gl/kdapxu The online nomination link can be found here: http://events.pcuk.org/?page_id=3842 Further information regarding trial dates and venues are available on The Pony Club website here: https://goo.gl/vbb4g5 International Mounted Games Exchange, Canada, 30th June 17th July 2017 The closing date for IMGE nominations is Tuesday 10th January 2017 Download the invite letter here: https://goo.gl/1asjw9 The online nomination link can be found here: http://events.pcuk.org/?page_id=3845 Further information regarding trial dates and venues are available on The Pony Club website here: https://goo.gl/nqnn4p Area Competitions Please note that ALL Area Mounted Games Competitions must be completed by Monday 1st June 2017. The weekend of 14th/15th May, Royal Windsor Horse Show, should be avoided if at all possible. Zone Competitions Southern Zone Date/Venue TBC Central Zone - Moreton Morrell College - 8th & 9th of July Northern Zone - Woodlands Farm, Girvan - 15th July
Dengie Series Prelim Rounds at Debut & Winter League level take place until the end of February 2016 and are open to all Branch and Centre Members, and also non-members, from any Area. Those who qualify will go forward to their Area Competition in March; any qualifying non- Members must join a Branch or Centre to be able to compete at the Area Competition. (Open level do not have Prelim rounds) To hold a Prelim round please contact kelly@pcuk.org More information, rules and competition dates can be found on the Dengie Show Jumping page of the website, as well as information about running a Prelim round: https://goo.gl/vcfut1 Show Jumping Endurance Well done to Branches & Centres for taking part in Endurance at all levels this year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2017. We would like to encourage more members to take part in the Grassroots levels as this is a great way to get horses/ponies fit for other disciplines too. The Championships for 2017 will be on the 27th of August at Kings Forest, Thetford.
Eventing Eventing & Tetrathlon Study days for Stewards and Officials For 2017 Eventing and Tetrathlon have teamed up to share the running costs of their Study Days. We are running three of these Eventing and Tetrathlon Officials Study days (North, Central & South) for Officials and Stewards involved with Eventing and Tetrathlon Competitions: Monday 10th April Breckenbrough, Yorkshire Central Date and Venue TBC South Date and Venue TBC These are brilliant days, covering all aspects of organising one day events, at all Pony Club levels. There will be a course walk with a course builder and/or Technical Adviser who will go into course design and building, fence selection and can answer any cross country related questions. This will be followed by classroom based sessions, one specific for Eventing and the other for Tetrathlon, and time for questions with experienced competition organisers. Applications for the study days are available online at http://events.pcuk.org
Pony Racing After another successful Points Series for 2016 our winners are: 128cm 1st Sarah Longthorn - Crofthill Montague (Holderness Hunt) 138cm 1st Molly Burton - Ffosway Kingfisher (Avon Vale Hunt) 148cm 1st Bradley Kent - All Of My Dreams (Essex Farmers Hunt) Congratulations to Sarah, Molly & Bradley who will be collecting their prizes on Saturday, 17th December at the London International Horse Show, Olympia. Moving on to 2017, dates for PRA/PC Training Days are now available: https://goo.gl/lthve3
The Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care Competition Firstly, I would like to say a big thank you to those of you who have come forward to run a 2017 Qualifier in your Area; I really appreciate your efforts. If you are interested in putting a Team together for this year s competition the website is regularly updated, so more information can be found on The Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care section under Activities and Events from the main Pony Club website. The dates for Area Qualifiers are updated on the website whenever they are received, so please keep an eye out for your Area: https://goo.gl/rhhxkg Score sheets from the 2016 Championships are also now available, so please get in touch if you wish to receive a copy of these back. For further information please contact Becky Davies at rebecca@pcuk.org
Young Equestrians is a programme created by Hoof, the British Equestrian Federation s participation programme, in collaboration with The Pony Club. The project aims to encourage 13-18 year olds to stay involved with the sport through the creation of youth groups where participants can choose the activities, develop their skills and be able to socialise with like minded young people. These clubs can be set up within riding centres accredited to a British Equestrian Federation Member Body, such as The Pony Club, or within Pony Club Branches. Thanks to Sport England Funding those who sign up with be given free support with their club through marketing materials, session ideas and audience insight. Over 90 riding centres have signed up to the scheme since its launch in summer 2014. Clubs offer social and training opportunities tailored around the participants, resulting in inspired and empowered young people. Young Equestrians has been a huge success! I ve been pleasantly surprised how quickly the YEs have bonded and how well they have organised their group. It has given the group free rein to try different things that we can t always offer in lessons. I ve already seen the more shy members come out of their shells and I have had fantastic feedback from parents and clients. The scheme is a great idea and I would recommend it to any centre thinking of starting a group. Holly Blackwell, Coach and Group leader at Runningwell Equestrian Centre If you are interested in setting up a Young Equestrians group within your Centre please contact Bronté Wadge-Dale, the Young Equestrians Co-ordinator at The Pony Club Office, who will be able to give you further information and advice; bronte@pcuk.org or 02476 698322.
Rateable Value Increase 2017 - the impact on equestrian premises New rateable values for all businesses were recently published and will come in to effect on 1st April 2017. Increases are apparent in many regions across England and Wales and it is apparent that the increase in rateable values for riding schools and livery yards is far greater than any other business types in the same geographical region. In some instances the increase has been as much as 300%. The BHS are leading the campaign on behalf of the BEF Member Bodies and we are working alongside them to raise awareness of the changes in rateable value and the potential impact it could have on riding schools and livery yards. Alongside our fellow BEF Member Bodies, we encourage all Proprietors and their networks to write to their MP highlighting this serious issue and the impact that it will have on their equestrian business. This will not only impact riding schools and livery yards, but equestrian competition venues and racehorse trainers may also be adversely affected. To find out the contact details for your local MP, please go to www.theyworkforyou.com The BHS has contacted all MPs to highlight the impact that this increase in rateable value will have on the riding school and livery yard industry. The Pony Club will also be communicating with MPs to draw attention to this situation and the challenges that many riding schools and equestrian businesses may face. A Rates Campaign Briefing note has been produced please go to https://goo.gl/ta3i7g to download this information. A table comparing the increase in rateable value against other business types within each region is also shown. If anyone does have concerns or would appreciate further information on the campaign please contact Sarah Phillips at the BHS on sarah.phillips@bhs.org.uk
Cubitt Awards 2017 What is the Cubitt Award? The Cubitt Award is a way of Branches, Centres and The Pony Club honouring those that have passed the landmark of at least twenty years of voluntary help to the Organisation. In 1987, Patrick Langford, a past Pony Club Chairman, suggested that there should be a special award for those special people who volunteer so much of their time and energy. Subsequently, The Pony Club Council created the Cubitt Award in 1988 and it is named after the late Hon. Guy Cubitt, a former Chairman of The Pony Club (1945 to 1970). Who can be nominated for a Cubitt Award? Anyone who has volunteered for The Pony Club at either Branch, Centre or National level for 20 or more years. Who can make the Cubitt Award nomination? Any Branch or Equestrian Council Committee Member, Centre Proprietor or Centre Coordinator. How do I nominate someone for a Cubitt Award? Fill out the online nomination form by following the link below in January 2017. This nomination will then be ratified by the Area Representative and the Chairman of The Pony Club. What happens after the nomination? Once ratified the nominees will be invited to the Cubitt Award luncheon held in early June 2017 where they will be awarded their Cubitt Badge and certificate. Please submit your nominations for the 2017 Cubitt Awards here: https://goo.gl/jpx4i7 from the first week of January 2017. Nominations close: 10th March 2017. Cubitt Bar Awards Please remember that the Cubitt Bar award is on-going for anyone who has received their Cubitt Award and has continued to volunteer their time for 30, 40 or 50 years! Nominations can be done here: http://events.pcuk.org/?page_id=1088 If you have any queries please contact Joanna Brighton: sponsorship@pcuk.org
Merchandise Our Black Friday Sale is taking place Friday 25th November. Lots of items will be reduced so grab a bargain while you can http://shop.pcuk.org/ Membership Cards for 2017 can be requested from shortonbarr@hq.pcuk.org as well as our new Autumn/Winter catalogue. Copies are available for distribution to your Members. Finally our last date for guaranteed delivery of your orders in time for Christmas is 12pm 19th December