News | 23 October 2025
Reasonable Adjustment – Daphne’s Story
The Pony Club is dedicated to providing equal opportunities across the organisation, including at the JCB Pony Club National Championships. For the second year running, we were delighted to hold the Specialised Dressage, kindly sponsored by Agria; a supportive, educational class for those who may have alternative requirements to many other riders. One such Member is 10-year-old Daphne Powell of the North Herefordshire Hunt Branch.
Daphne competed at the JCB Championships this summer on Fell pony Jolene after learning about the opportunity and practicing her test at Area competitions and local shows. Her performance was fantastic, demonstrating a true partnership between pony and rider and earning a sixth-place rosette presented by Eventing legend Yogi Briesner.
The challenges that Daphne faces – cerebral palsy, visual impairment, learning difficulties, hydrocephalus and epilepsy – are made less of a potential barrier with the support of her family, Branch and peers, who encourage and assist in partaking in a variety of Pony Club activities.
As an active Member, Daphne participates in regular rallies alongside younger sister Edith, having attended every Mini Camp from the age of five as well as her first ‘Big Camp’ this summer! Highlights include representing her Branch at Junior Novice Mounted Games and Tetrathlon as well as Dressage. She is also the proud recipient of the 2024 Epitome of Pony Club award at her Branch and has recently passed her D+ Test with flying colours.
So, what does The Pony Club mean to Daphne’s family?
‘Pony Club is the one thing that both our daughters can genuinely do together.’ Jessica, Daphne and Edith’s mother, says. ‘Jolene is Daphne’s legs; she can keep up with her sister Edith and her friends. She might struggle academically and physically to keep up with some peers but on a pony she’s with them 100% and thrives. Our Pony Club is beyond supportive, and we cannot thank them enough.’
Fuelled by her success at the JCB Championships, Daphne aspires to reach the heights of Paralympic Dressage – we truly can’t wait to see what the future holds for this exciting young talent.