You are in: About Us / History

The History of The Pony Club 1990 - 2004

1990

Peter Lord made Development Officer of The Pony Club.

The Pony Club hosted International teams for Tetrathlon and Mounted Games visits.

1991

Mrs. Dawn Wofford became Chairman of The Pony Club.

The Pony Club hosted the first Euro camp for children from Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Southern Ireland, Spain and Switzerland.

1992

The Pony Club Polocrosse Championships started.

Ending of Membership changed to the end of year of the Member’s 21st birthday.

	1972	1982	1992
Membership (U.K.)	39,526	43,817	38,560
No. of Branches (U.K.)	298	365	367

1993

The Pony Club hosted teams from America, Australia and Canada for a Mounted Games Visit, and for the first time Northern Ireland was one of the host areas.

The age for becoming an Associate was changed to January 1 following the Member's 18th birthday.

1994

The Pony Club hosted teams from America, Canada and Southern Ireland for a Tetrathlon visit.

A mounted games team visited Australia for the first time.

1995

The second camp for the Euro Pony Club was held. Members came from 13 countries.

A winter league show jumping competition was introduced.

1996

John Wehner was made General Manager of The Pony Club.

A newcomers competition was started at The Pony Club championships at Weston Park Kate Moir retired as Executive Secretary of The Pony Club after 29 years.

1997

At the beginning of the year The Pony Club became an Independent Charity. The Pony Club winter league show jumping championships started.

Mrs Dawn Wofford retired as Chairman Bill Lithgow past Executive Officer of The Pony Club died.

Tadzik Kopanski retired as Chief Executive.

The Pony Club hosted teams from America, Canada and Southern Ireland for a Tetrathlon visit and teams from America, Canada and Australia for a mounted games visit.

Tim Spencer Cox became Chairman of The Pony Club and Robert Symonds was made chief executive. Mrs Jo Clark became General Manager of The Pony Club.

Endurance riding was introduced as a Pony Club event.

An achievement badge scheme was introduced.

1998

A pilot scheme for Centre Membership was introduced.

The Pony Club office moved to Allander House, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Peter Lord became Chief Executive

Ernest McMillen became President of Euro Pony Club Association

Rebecca Elvin made Secretary of The Pony Club

The Pony Club sent Tetrathlon Teams to compete in America and Canada, and a Mounted Games Team went to America.

1999

Centre Membership Scheme expanded to include more riding establishments.

Council agreed to the formation of a management Committee.

The Pony Club Championships moved to Sansaw Park.

Individual Show Jumping Championship was introduced.

Mounted Games sent a team to Australia

UK Tetrathlon Competition held for the first time in Northern Ireland.

2000

Mr Spencer Cox retired as Chairman

The Millenium Ride took place at Windsor 100 Members join the celebrations at Ascot Racecourse for HRH The Queen Mother's 100th Birthday

Ernest McMillen was made Life Vice President

David Brookes elected Chairman of the Polocrosse Committee

Dressage to Music was introduced at the Championships

The Pony Club hosted teams from America, Canada and Southern Ireland for a Tetrathlon visit

Lt Col T J C Washington died

2001

Lt Col Gordon Wesley FABRS appointed Chairman of The Pony Club

Mr Peter Lord retired as Chief Executive

Mr Duncan Robb appointed Chief Executive

Foot and Mouth disease caused cancellatiion of most Pony Club activities at Area and National level - only Polo and Polocrosse held National Finals under strict decontamination controls.

Mounted Games Team won finals in USA against USA, Canada and Australia
Polo Team competed in Uruguay and Argentina
Composite Team (2) competed in South Africa.

Mrs Diana Martin-Bird retired as Dressage Chairman after over 50 years service to The Pony Club.
Mrs Angela Craddock retired as Chairman of Horse Trials after 35 years service on the Committee.
Mr David Cowley appointed Chairman of Polo
Lady Howick appointed Chairman of Eventing
Miss Fiona Lace appointed Chairman of Dressage
Mr Tim Spencer Cox appointed first ‘Friend of The Pony Club’

Mrs Devina Cannon completed her tour as Press Officer after 20 years work for The Pony Club.

2002

100 Members took part in ‘All the Queens Horses’ at Windsor. The pageant was part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

Tetrathlon teams visited the USA
A team visited the USA on a hunting exchange

HRH Prince Philip retired as President

The Polocrosse Championships were held for the first time at Sansaw Park

The UK hosted the International Mounted Games Visit - and won!
Polo Teams competed in Uruguay, South Arfica and the USA.

Council agreed to the formation of a Management Board and an Audit Committee.

2003

HRH The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO QSO became President.

The inaugural National Quiz was held.

Polo teams competed in the USA and South Africa

A Mounted Games team visited Canada and returned victorious for the 3rd year running A group visited Eire for a hunting exchange

100 Members rode in Windsor Great Park to raise funds for the Air Ambulance - a total of £10, 000 was raised

Lt Col K G Wesley retired as Chairman.

2004

Mrs Mary Anderson became Chairman.

The Pony Club celebrated its 75th anniversary.

The inaugral Horse and Pony Care competition at the Championships was held.

Polo teams competed in the USA, France and South Africa.
A Mounted Games team visited the USA and returned victorious for the fourth year running.
A Polocrosse team visited the USA and returned victorious.
The UK hosted the International Tetrathlon.

HRH The Princess Royal visited Twin Trees Riding School.

Mrs Sally Lefroy retired as Chairman of Tetrathlon and Mrs Gillie Summers was appointed.
Mr Dave Brookes retired as Chairman of Polocrosse and Mrs Ursula Scott was appointed.

Pony Racing was introduced as a pilot scheme.

Mrs Lucinda Darling and Mrs Marjorie Langford died.