Celebrating 25 Years of Pony Club Centre Schemes!

The Pony Club, established in 1929, celebrates a significant milestone as it commemorates the 25th anniversary of its Centres Scheme.

This initiative has expanded opportunities for young people to participate in Pony Club activities at local riding centres, making experiences more accessible than ever. Participants from diverse backgrounds can engage in a wide range of activities, including over 130 achievement badges, skill assessments, and nine sports reaching championship levels, as well as non-mounted pursuits like Horse and Pony Care and the Quiz. At its core, the organization fosters camaraderie and enjoyment among friends in a supportive environment centred around caring for horses and ponies.

The celebration took place earlier this year at Wrea Green Equitation Centre, one of the schemes original centres.

About The Pony Club Centre Scheme

The Centre membership scheme allows members without a horse or pony to enjoy all the benefits of The Pony Club.

Pony Club centres are approved riding schools or equestrian centres, which are linked to the Pony Club. They offer the same training and competition opportunities as those available to branch members. Centres may also take teams to regional and area Pony Club competitions and qualify for the Pony Club Championships.

There are around 500 Pony Club centres in the UK, all of which are checked to ensure they meet our standards and have the correct documentation in place. Pony Club coaches are also required to attend professional development courses to keep their knowledge up to date.

If you’d like to find out more about Centre schemes, please see here.

Find out more about some of the Centres:

Asti Equestrian

Centre Proprietor – Eve Rowland

Asti Equestrian is family run business sitting on 170 acres. Catering for all ages and abilities in all aspects of horsemanship. Their aim is to spread awareness through support, training and education. Pony Club meets every two weeks to work through the care badges.

Cottagers Plot

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Sophie Brown

Cottagers Plot Equestrian Centre, caters for all those wishing to either learn to ride or to improve their existing riding skills. . Members loved entering the Howden Centre Equitation Competition for the past 3 years and love receiving their goody bags.

Beaumont Grange Farm

Centre Proprietor – Carol Hill

Carol started as a Pony Club member at the age of 10 years, she holds her BHS Intermediate Instructors Certificate and is a Pony Club A test Assessor. Beaumont Grange is a small but professional and friendly yard with an experienced team of Coaches. The yard is set in a beautiful location and panoramic views of the Lake District. Pony Club runs monthly on Saturday mornings and pony days and camps during the school holidays. Last year members took part in the Howden Centre Equitation Competition in both the Centre and Centre Plus sections.

Bourne Vale Riding Stables

Centre Proprietor – Anna Cooper

Family run Centre established in 1962, now onto the 4th generation.As well as a thriving Pony Club Centre, Bournevale is accredited by the BHS, ABRS and British Riding Clubs. Located in Birmingham in a rural pocket in close proximity to the towns and cities of the West Midlands. Last year Members enjoyed taking part in the Howden Centre Equitation Competition and are looking forward to this year competition.

Brampton Stables

Centre Proprietor – Derrick Ward

Family owned business established for over 40 years. Pony Club runs different 4 groups on various days offering riding and horse and pony care to members working through the Pony Club Tests and Progressive Awards.

Deandane Riding Stables

Centre Proprietor – Martin Whalley 

A small, friendly family run business dedicated to teaching riding in a safe and fun way.

Dinefwr Riding Centre

Centre Proprietor – Victoria Jenner

Established in 1989, a family run business set in over 140 acres of farmland nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Black Mountain. Dinefwr Pony Club members meet every Saturday morning to ride, learn and have fun and working towards badges.

Friars Hill Stables

Centre Proprietor – Alison Brown

Members meet Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings working towards badges and Pony Club Tests. Training members up to B Test level.

Gillians Riding School Pony Club Centre

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Gillian Head

Established in 1965. Pony Club runs every Saturday, recent badges include Leading & Handling, Feeding and Yard Safety. Members have been training for their D-Test which they are hoping to achieve later this year.

Grove House Stables Pony Club Centre

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Andrew Stennett

Andrew established Grove House Stables in 1991 with one horse, one pony and a very muddy field! Since then he has developed the Centre with purpose built equestrian training facilities.

Andrew saw the ground breaking new Pony Club Centre initiative, after being a member of Grove Hunt Pony and was excited to be able to give his riding school pupils the experience of being a Pony Club member.

Grove House Pony Club Centre has given riders the opportunity to progress and develop their relationship with horses and riding. The pony currently meets on 2 evenings a week still using the format that Andrew developed and shared with his fellow riding school proprietors 25 years ago and wishes the Pony Club much success for the future.

Hayfield EC

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Caroline Martin

Situated in the grounds of Hazlehead Park. Hayfield is a busy Pony Club Centre with 81 members. Holding weekly Pony Club sessions, camps and pony days throughout the year. Members work through the Pony Club Progressive Awards and badges. Caroline is an ex member of the Aberdeenshire Branch and current Pony Club B Test Assessor. The Centre is also host to the Area Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care Competition, Step 1 Coach Courses and Coach assessor training workshops. Members enjoy taking part in the Howden Centre Equitation competition entering 3 teams in 2023 and teams qualifying in the Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care Competition who went on to compete at the JCB Championships in 2023. Recently teams took part in the Dodson & Horrell Area Quiz.

Larkrigg Riding School

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Anne Wilson

Over 30 years of experience set in the rolling Cumbrian landscape.

Old Tiger Stables at North Angle Farm

Centre Proprietor – Lorraine Webster

Established in 1987. Set in 26 acres with 35 horses. Pony Club is held on Saturdays every other week. Members enjoyed taking part in the Howden Centre Equitation Competition last year and the Area 8 Dodson & Horrell Quiz Qualifier earlier this year.

Scholland Equestrian at Kilconquhar

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Debbie Mass

An active Pony Club Centre where members enjoy a wide range of Pony Club activities, 3 teams entered Howden Centre Equitation competition in 2023 where three teams from the Centre took part and have recently taken part in the Dodson & Horrell Area Quiz where members qualified for the Championships later this year.

Seaview Riding School

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Claire Hayton

Family run business. Members meet weekly.

Silverstone Riding Stables

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Sophie Brennan

Set in 130 acres with 30 horses and ponies.

Throstle Nest Riding School

Centre Proprietor – Jeannette Wheeler

Large Centre with over 100 members. Pony Club sessions are run several times a week as well as day courses during the school holidays. Members took part in the Howden Centre Equitation Competition last year entering 2 teams and recently members enjoyed taking part in the Dodson & Horrell Area quiz.

Underhill Riding Stables

Centre Proprietor and Coach – Kath Bufton

Launched as a Pony Club Centre in 1999. Kath runs the Centre with her daughter in law Jess. Running for 30 years. Kath’s own children were active members of the Teme Valley Branch and when she heard about the launch of the Centre scheme, registered her Centre to offer riders the same opportunities her own children had enjoyed. Members meet monthly and enjoy the Pony Club Summer camp. The club reached 160 members in 2012 and although have less members now, the club is still very active taking part in the Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care Competion last year with teams in mini, junior and senior sections qualifying and competing at the JCB Pony Club Championships. Members from Underhill also qualified for the Regional Championships in Dressage and Showjumping and Area Mounted Games competitions and qualifying for the Zone finals in 2014 & 2017.

Our other wonderful Centres celebrating 25 years:

• Broadlands Riding Centre
• Cornilo Riding
• Gleneagles Equestrian Centre

Receiving their plaque at a special presentation. From Left to Right: Sarah MacDonald (Training Committee Chairman), Sue Cheap (Area 1 Representative), Becky Kennedy (Gleneagles), Lea Allen (Centre Chairman).

• Green Meadow Riding Centre
• Inadown Farm Livery Stables
• Liege Manor Equestrian
• Longfield Equestrian Centre
• Mannix Equestrian Centre
• Pathhead Equestrian Centre
• Pevlings Farm Riding and Livery Stables
• Russells Equestrian Centre
• St Leonards Equitation Centre
• Valley Farm Gymkhana

Some images from the early days! 

• Wellington Riding
• Wickstead Farm Equestrian Centre
• Wirral Riding Centre
• Witham Villa Riding Centre
• Tandridge Priory Riding Centre

Thank you to all of our Volunteers, Centre Coordinators and Centre Proprietors!