The stretch of water surrounding the Isle of Man has not stopped members of Ballawhetstone Pony Club Centre from competing against other Pony Club Centres and Branches this summer, thanks to support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Members have travelled to the UK to compete in Mounted Games, Pony Club Quizzes, Dressage and Eventing, and attend residential camps.
Stella Hampton, proprietor, said: ‘The Pony Club organisation has always organised inter-branch competitions and it has been amazing this year to be able, as a centre, to give the children the opportunity to take part in these competitions without having the expense of owning their own pony, and this wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Steam Packet Company.’
The competition season started in April, when more experienced members Percy Hampton and Molly Howland took part in their first British Eventing Event at Kelsall Hill, Cheshire. Even with a couple of pilot errors, both horses and riders tried their best and had a great experience.
Next up was The Pony Club Area 4 Mounted Games Competition. In total 14 children, three adults and eight ponies left the island to camp at a livery yard just outside Lancashire. Ballawhetstone was the only Centre to have taken part in the competition, represented by both junior and senior teams. Despite the inexperience of some members, the Ballawhetstone teams held their own in the competition.
A few weeks later, two more teams travelled to the Horse and Pony Care Competition held at the Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre. The teams had to do lots of practical training and revisions. Team members showed much enthusiasm.
During the summer holidays, the residential camps took place. Seven children travelled to Penrith for a five-day camp, where they lived at a yard working with ponies and instructors. Meanwhile, eight senior members travelled with ponies loaned from Ballawhetstone to the famous Aintree Race Course for a week of camp activities, where they joined Isle of Man Pony Club and West Lancashire Pony Club membersThe final experience was a day trip to Carrington Riding School for an inter-centre dressage competition. Nine members aged between seven and 14 took part in their first ever dressage competition, against seven other centres.
Zoe Hampton, BWPC coordinator, said: ‘Coordinating these activities has been a challenge, but the Steam Packet Company reservations team has been incredibly supportive in assisting us, and our members have certainly seen the benefits. Everything from allowing members to visit the Bridge during the journey to enabling groups to sit together has led to a truly unforgettable summer.’
And the summer is not quite over yet, as members Percy Hampton and Molly Howland get ready to attend a British Eventing competition in Cumbria on Sunday 10th September.
‘The opportunities given to members of Ballawhetstone are second to none,’ said Angela McLoughlin parent of a BWPC member. ‘The experience these children have had this summer will stay with them forever. It isn’t just about competition – it’s about being part of an equestrian family and a team. Everyone supports each other. I have seen the children be supportive of not only their fellow Ballawhetstone members but support other branches and members. This ethos is something instilled by Stella and the team.’
Ballawhetstone Pony Club sessions take place during term time on a Monday and Wednesday evening. Full details can be found on the Ballawhestone Stables Facebook page.
Ballawhestone Stables has been operating as a Riding School since 2002. Lessons offered are from pre-school to adult. A new lesson timetable is being launched in September.
For further information, contact Stella Hampton on 472580 or follow on Facebook – www.facebook.com/BallawhetstoneStables.
Photo - from left - Ballawhetstone Stables members Molly Kneen, Gypsy-Mae Quirk, Chloe Wright, and Caitlin Hughes pictured at Bank House Equestrian Centre summer camp in Penrith.
