District Commissioner:

Mrs Nicola Stevenson

Broomshawbury Farm

Hatfield Broad Oak

Bishops Stortford

Herts  CM33 7JY

Tel:  01279 718223

NEWS FROM NICOLA STEVENSON, DISTRICT COMMISSIONER - December 2011

Dear Member

We have had another great year in Pony Club with a huge variety of activities for you and your ponies.   We started with quiz practices that lead to having two teams entered in the Area Quiz competition and they did very well, learning a lot in the process. Mounted Games training has been organized by Sharon Taverner who has done a marvellous job, thank you Sharon! She also accompanied our teams all over the country culminating with our junior team competing at the Area Mounted Games and qualifying for the Zone Finals.   I know Sharon is keen to start practices again after Christmas for any one interested please keep an eye on the website for dates.

Thank you to Diane Pegrum who organised a lot of show jumping teams who competed at various team competitions throughout the year.  I already know of several clubs holding these again in 2012 so I hope we can enter teams again. This helps everyone prepare for the Area Show Jumping, which we sent teams to this year with our novice B team doing very well.

We held our annual One Day Event in June, which is our main event of the year to make money so we can afford to have our rallies at Berwick Farm and keep our equipment up to standard. I would like to thank all the parents who helped us by jump judging on this day it is much appreciated. Having our One Day Event also helps us with team selection for dressage and eventing teams for area and this year our teams did us proud.

We hold numerous activities including two camps that are always well attended and enjoyed but the back bone of the pony club are the rallies. Weather permitting we have one at Easter, then six evening rallies and then three or four depending on the length of the summer holiday, summer rallies at Berwick Farm which provides excellent facilities. At these rallies it helps me to get to know all our members and help members to progress in their riding, awareness of the countryside and knowledge of caring for their pony. I also know many new friendships are made at the rallies which last for years I think through the common interest of riding. 

This year we want to put an emphasis on tests encouraging everybody to attempt a test to their level.  We will provide training and opportunity to take the test at a rally where possible, as often time is the issue as everybody is so busy.   Our event calendar can be found on our website which is www.ehnpc.org together with schedules and application forms.  Also news of results and forthcoming clinics are on there so please do check regularly.  

Would anyone who is interested in competing in teams please complete and return the Team Application form to me early this will be available on the website soon.  Please make a note of the dates in your diary so that you remember what you have applied for.  Calvert Cup is being held in April this year so those of you who would like to take part will need to have your ponies and horses fit and ready earlier than usual. 

It would be lovely to see you all at Prizegiving on 22nd January in Hatfield Broad Oak village hall at 3pm.  It is a lovely occasion to catch up with friends.  We have many prizes to award ranging from the Helpfulness cup to Tack and Turnout and many team awards plus the results of the Dressage League that we introduced last Prizegiving.   Would winners of last year’s trophies please make sure they are returned in a CLEAN condition as soon as possible?  You will probably already have received a phone call about this. 

Just a reminder if you are hacking out in the winter please remember to wear hi-viz clothing so you can be seen on the roads.  This is important at all times of day.

NICOLA STEVENSON

District Commissioner