Ballawhetstone Stables has launched a Pony Club for young riders, having been accredited by the international voluntary youth organisation.
Located on the Southern 100 course in Ballabeg, Ballawhetstone Stables has been operating as a family-run riding school for the last 14 years and is now the newest Pony Club centre in the Isle of Man.
Proprietor, teacher and horse lover Stella Hampton is proud of her family heritage, with horses being used on the family farm since the 1880s. After leaving a career in the finance industry Stella decided to establish a riding school on the historic family farmland.
‘We began with 10 horses and have since grown to currently 17 riding school horses to meet the demands of our growing customer base,’ said Stella. ‘This really is a sport that any age can enjoy. We have children as young as four to grown-ups in their 60s!
‘The accreditation as a Pony Club centre is a fantastic achievement and one that we are incredibly proud of. The accreditation process is quite thorough, with inspections and interviews to ensure we are passionate about the equine education of children and young people. Being a Pony Club Centre means we can offer a wider education with lessons and badges in equine management, care and stable management, along with our regular lessons, birthday parties and Own-A-Pony Day experiences.’
The Pony Club organisation was founded in England in 1929, and there are now around 345 branches and 600 centres in the UK alone. The Pony Club has been the starting point for many equestrian team members and medal winners.
The Pony Club evenings will be run in conjunction with Stella’s sister-in-law Zoe Hampton, owner of Country Kitchen Isle of Man. For two years Zoe has been assisting with Ballawhetsone’s Own-A-Pony Days offering cake decorating and crafts as part of the experience. The running of Pony Club events is a natural step for Zoe who is passionate about good equine care.
Stella said: ‘Pony Club is open to anyone. The Pony Club nights will be held fortnightly, and you don’t need to have a horse or pony of your own. There is an initial membership fee of ?26, and then each hour and half session costs just ?10.. Each fortnight the children will work towards a new badge and every few months we will hold special events just for the Pony Club children.’
For more information about Ballawhetstone’s Pony Club, please call Stella on 472580 or visit www.facebook.com/ballawhestonestables
