Fearless young riders from the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt Pony Club have been enjoying their annual camp. Lesley Tate sees how they’re getting on

Galloping and jumping with ease and without fear, young riders from the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt Pony Club have been enjoying annual camp at Coniston Cold.

Every year, dozens of young riders up to 25 years old, spend a few days at Craven Country Ride where they hone their skills, receive expert tuition and take part in gymkhana events.

Robin Bower, district commissioner and a former pony club member, said annual camp was an opportunity for riders to receive training and make new friends.

“Members find lifelong friends within the pony club environment and the majority of pony club committee and organisers have themselves been long-standing members who retained their connections with either their local branch or the pony club as a whole,” he said.

The Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt branch of the pony club was founded in 1935 and attracts members from North East Lancashire as well as both North and West Yorkshire.

The club stages rallies, for both training and social opportunities, and a number of competitions throughout the year.

Its district commissioner, Mr Bower is a former pony club member, as is its chief instructor, Helen Robinson.

“We cover different disciplines including show jumping to tetrathlon, dressage and hunter trials,” said Mr Bower. “We cater for members of all ages and enable them to fine tune their skills.”

The national Pony Club also organises area competitions where members can take part with the chance of getting through to national championships held in August every year.

The championships are aimed at all abilities from novice to more experienced and are viewed as very prestigious.

“A large number of the professional riders competing in show jumping, dressage and eventing worldwide have themselves at one time or another been part of the Pony Club and have competed at the national championships,” said Mr Bower.

The Pendle Forest and Craven branch have had a number of very competitive riders taking part in the championships. Last year, its Tetrathlon team won the National Intermediate Championships, while another member was highly placed in the Intermediate Show Jumping.

Any rider from those on lead rein to up to 25 years old of all abilities, from those just learning to those competing at high level is welcome at Pony Club.

“As a branch, we seek to encourage and assist development for all levels of ability and experience. We aim to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all members,” said Mr Bower.

As a charity, Pony Club does not seek to make profit from its members and any money made from membership fees and competitions is put back into the branch to support more training and fun activities.

“Our ethos is to train our members as well as providing enjoyable activities so that members themselves can then develop to hopefully utilise the skills they have learned to benefit the branch in future years,” he said.

“Our chief instructor, Helen Robinson, is a perfect example of a previous member of the branch who learned her tuition skills through Pony Club training and is now utlilising those skills to aid and develop our members now.” Mr Bower said the branch would be delighted to welcome any new members.

“We welcome children of any age group and abilities and would love to hear from anyone who would have an interest in joining and becoming part of the pony club-family community,” he said.

“As organisations go, the Pony Club has been very successful and has survived the test of time.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the branch can contact the secretary, Jo Riley at josephine_riley@btinternet.com.