History
The Institute of the Horse started a Sub Branch scheme in different parts of the country to encourage riding. In addition to running events for adults, several of them started to organise paperchases and gymkhanas for children. This was a forerunner of The Pony Club. The earliest recorded event was a gymkhana organised by the Oxted (Surrey) Sub-Branch in 1928. At a later rally, Harry Faudel-Phillips, who was a Member of the Council of the Institute of the Horse, was invited to give a lecture and demonstration.
Historical Membership Statistics:| 1934 | 1947 | 1952 | 1962 | 1972 | 1982 | 1992 | |
| Members (UK) | 8,350 | 17,082 | 18,905 | 31,349 | 39,526 | 43,817 | 38,560 |
| Branches (UK) | 103 | 167 | 201 | 255 | 298 | 365 | 367 |
1929
On November 1, 1929, the Institute of the Horse started a Junior Branch of their organisation, known as The Pony Club, "for the purpose of interesting young people in riding and sport and at the same time offering the opportunity of higher instruction in this direction than many of them can obtain individually".
Under the new scheme, the country was divided into Districts the same as the Hunts, each under a District Commissioner, helped by a Local Committee. The new club was in close touch with hunting.
Members joined at an entrance fee of 2s 6d (12.5p) - unchanged until 1976 and an annual subscription of 5s (25p). A Membership badge was given. The pattern of this badge is virtually the same today.
A Central Committee of the Pony Club was started by the ‘Institute of the Horse and Pony Club’, under the Chairmanship of Harry Faudel-Phillips, who with the Secretary, T.H.S. Marchant, drew up the constitution of the new club. Also a Member of this Committee was Mrs Hugh Corbett (later Mrs. Victor Hurst) who was District Commissioner of the North and South Shropshire Hunt branch. She was, both District Commissioner and on the Committee until her retirement in 1956.
1930
The Central Committee held its first meeting in January 1930. By May, Branches and District Commissioners had been created at: Belvoir, Cottesmore, Craven, Essex Union and Essex, Fernie, Grafton, Ludlow, Shropshire (North and South), Surrey and Burstow, Vale of White Horse and Wynstay.
A Membership of 700 was recorded. A meeting of all District Commissioners was held in London.
The Royal Calpe Hunt Pony Club (Gibraltar) was formed - the first affiliated overseas Branch.
1931
Number of Pony Club Branches recorded: 59. Membership: 4,442. Harry Faudel Phillips and Mrs Hugh Corbett were appointed as the first visiting Commissioners of The Pony Club.
The first Pony Club camp was held.
1932
An official Pony Club tie was created. In a competition the winning design was from the joint Essex Union and Essex Hunt Branch - and entered by the District Commissioner, Mrs. H R Pelly.
In June the Central Committee was re-organised and became known as The Pony Club Organisation Committee, VDS Williams became Chairman, with Harry Faudel-Phillips as Vice Chairman.
Pony Club Tests were started, and efficiency certificates given.
1933
In November Hon. Guy Cubitt, became a Member of The Pony Club Organisation Committee which he continued up to 1970.1934
Pony Club instructors’ courses (at Temple House - led by Harry Faudel-Phillips; and at the Porlock Vale riding school in Somerset - led by Tony Collings) were held for the first time.
1935
The first course for Visiting Commissioners was held at Temple House.1934
Almost every Branch had to close down during the war.1934
Mrs.THS Marchant carried on the Secretarial duties at The Pony Club office single-handed.1934
The Institute of the Horse and Pony Club were merged with the National Horse Association of Great Britain. This new society, with Guy Cubitt as Chairman, was called The British Horse Society and became the parent organisation of The Pony Club. When THS Marchant retired, RA ,Brown (who was Secretary of the National Horse Association) became secretary of the British Horse Society, helped by Miss Christine Black in The Pony Club office.
1949
The Pony Club Horse Trials Competition was started.1952
Miss Christine Black became Secretary of The Pony Club.1956
The British Horse Society moved its offices from Sloane Street, London to 16 Bedford Square, London. This had been the offices of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.1957
The Pony Club Mounted Games Championship (The Prince Philip Cup) was started.1958
Total Pony Club Membership in the United Kingdom topped 25,000.
The Pony Club polo tournament was created.
1963
The Pony Club was accepted as a Member of the Standing Conference of National Voluntary Youth Organisations (SCNVYO).
The Pony Club Regional Representative Scheme was introduced.
1964
The Pony Club Hunting and Country Lore Tests were introduced.
Junior Members of affiliated Riding Clubs could take The Pony Club Tests.
Miss Eileen Thomas became Secretary of The Pony Club.
1965
For the first time a team from Great Britain took part in an International Pony Club Exchange Visit in the United States of America.1966
Pilot Scheme was created for children from recognised schools or youth clubs to become affiliated to The Pony Club.
Miss Patricia Stacpoole became Secretary of The Pony Club.
1967
The Pony Club Office moved to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.1968
Bill Lithgow became executive officer of The Pony Club.
Miss Jean Sansome became Secretary of The Pony Club.
1969
A new organisation structure for The Pony Club was introduced.
Tetrathlon Championships started.
1970
Hon Guy Cubitt retired as Chairman of The Pony Club after 25 years, and was made Life President of The Pony Club.1971
TGG (Tubby) Cooper became Chairman of The Pony Club.
Pony Club Show Jumping Championships started.
The Pony Club hosted teams from Australia, Canada, Eire, South Africa and USA for a three-week visit spent touring the country, and ending in riding and competitions at Stoneleigh.
1972
H Test Introduced.
1973
Miss Catherine Moir became Secretary of The Pony Club. Upper Age limit was reduced to 20 years of age.1974
Riding and Road Sense Certificate introduced.1975
Roger Ward made Chairman of the Pony Club.1976
The Pony Club of Great Britain hosted two teams from Canada and the USA for three weeks spent touring the South of England, ending at Mounted Games Competitions at Windsor.1977
The Pony Club Dressage Championships were started.1978
The Pony Club was host to a team of Tetrathletes from America and Canada, who competed in Area Competitions and the Championships, and a polo team from America.1979
Patrick Langford became Chairman of The Pony Club.
The Pony Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee; Branches took displays to over 100 Shows all round the country. Badges, patches, pens, greetings cards, brasses, sweat shirts, mugs and key rings were produced as souvenirs. The cartoonist Norman Thelwell designed a Christmas card especially for Jubilee year. A reception was held in London for past Council Members and representatives of other organisations connected with horses. A trophy was specially designed, and John King was commissioned to paint a picture to commemorate the Jubilee. A souvenir booklet with photographs from nearly every one of The Pony Club’s 50 years, and many of the jubilee displays, was produced.
Hon. Guy Cubitt, life president of The Pony Club, past Chairman and Council Member died on August 23rd.
Upper age was changed back to 21 years.
1980
For the first time, the Annual Conference of District Commissioners and a repeat of the Annual National Instructors’ Conference was held in Scotland.1981
James Pinney became Chairman of The Pony Club. The totally revised edition of The Manual of Horsemanship was produced.1982
The Pony Club hosted teams from Canada and USA who took part in Mounted Games and Tetrathlon Competitions.
1983
The Pony Club Horse Trials Championships moved from Stoneleigh Park to Weston Park, Shropshire.8 senior instructors courses were organised throughout the country for combined areas.
1984
The Pony Club Dressage and Show Jumping Championships moved from Stoneleigh Park to Weston Park, Shropshire.1985
The Pony Club hosted an inter-Pacific Rally with Pony Club Members from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and The Philippines. Bill Lithgow retired as Executive Officer.
Ernest McMillen became Chairman of The Pony Club.
1986
Tadzik Kopanski became Executive Officer of The Pony Club. The Pony Club was host to teams from Canada, Republic of Ireland and USA who took part in Tetrathlon competitions.1987
The Pony Club hosted teams from Canada and USA who visited three Areas and took part in mounted games competitions. The Pony Club magazine was launched.1988
The first Riding School Branch was started at Hyde Park, London.1989
Patrick Langford was made Vice President of The Pony Club. Patrick Langford, Vice president and a past Chairman of The Pony Club and past Chairman of both Polo and Tetrathlon Committees died.
Ernest McMillen became Vice-President of the Euro Pony Club Association.
1990
Peter Lord made Development Officer of The Pony Club.The Pony Club hosted International teams for Tetrathlon and Mounted Games visits.
1991
Mrs. Dawn Wofford became Chairman of The Pony Club.The Pony Club hosted the first Euro camp for children from Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Southern Ireland, Spain and Switzerland.
1992
The Pony Club Polocrosse Championships started.Ending of Membership changed to the end of year of the Member’s 21st birthday.
1993
The Pony Club hosted teams from America, Australia and Canada for a Mounted Games Visit, and for the first time Northern Ireland was one of the host areas.The age for becoming an Associate was changed to January 1 following the Member's 18th birthday.
1994
The Pony Club hosted teams from America, Canada and Southern Ireland for a Tetrathlon visit.A mounted games team visited Australia for the first time.
1995
The second camp for the Euro Pony Club was held. Members came from 13 countries.A winter league show jumping competition was introduced.
1996
John Wehner was made General Manager of The Pony Club.
A newcomers competition was started at The Pony Club championships at Weston Park Kate Moir retired as Executive Secretary of The Pony Club after 29 years.
1997
At the beginning of the year The Pony Club became an Independent Charity. The Pony Club winter league show jumping championships started.
Mrs Dawn Wofford retired as Chairman Bill Lithgow past Executive Officer of The Pony Club died.
Tadzik Kopanski retired as Chief Executive.
The Pony Club hosted teams from America, Canada and Southern Ireland for a Tetrathlon visit and teams from America, Canada and Australia for a mounted games visit.
Tim Spencer Cox became Chairman of The Pony Club and Robert Symonds was made chief executive.
Mrs Jo Clark became General Manager of The Pony Club.
Endurance riding was introduced as a Pony Club event.
An achievement badge scheme was introduced.
1998
A pilot scheme for Centre Membership was introduced.
The Pony Club office moved to Allander House, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
Peter Lord became Chief Executive
Ernest McMillen became President of Euro Pony Club Association
Rebecca Elvin made Secretary of The Pony Club
The Pony Club sent Tetrathlon Teams to compete in America and Canada, and a Mounted Games Team went to America.
1999
Centre Membership Scheme expanded to include more riding establishments.
Council agreed to the formation of a management Committee.
The Pony Club Championships moved to Sansaw Park.
Individual Show Jumping Championship was introduced.
Mounted Games sent a team to Australia
UK Tetrathlon Competition held for the first time in Northern Ireland.
2000
Mr Spencer Cox retired as Chairman
The Millenium Ride took place at Windsor 100 Members join the celebrations at Ascot Racecourse for HRH The Queen Mother's 100th Birthday
Ernest McMillen was made Life Vice President
David Brookes elected Chairman of the Polocrosse Committee
Dressage to Music was introduced at the Championships
The Pony Club hosted teams from America, Canada and Southern Ireland for a Tetrathlon visit
Lt Col T J C Washington died
2001
Lt Col Gordon Wesley FABRS appointed Chairman of The Pony Club
Mr Peter Lord retired as Chief Executive
Mr Duncan Robb appointed Chief Executive
Foot and Mouth disease caused cancellatiion of most Pony Club activities at Area and National level - only Polo and Polocrosse held National Finals under strict decontamination controls.
Mounted Games Team won finals in USA against USA, Canada and Australia
Polo Team competed in Uruguay and Argentina
Composite Team (2) competed in South Africa.
Mrs Diana Martin-Bird retired as Dressage Chairman after over 50 years service to The Pony Club.
Mrs Angela Craddock retired as Chairman of Horse Trials after 35 years service on the Committee.
Mr David Cowley appointed Chairman of Polo
Lady Howick appointed Chairman of Eventing
Miss Fiona Lace appointed Chairman of Dressage
Mr Tim Spencer Cox appointed first ‘Friend of The Pony Club’
Mrs Devina Cannon completed her tour as Press Officer after 20 years work for The Pony Club.
2002
100 Members took part in ‘All the Queens Horses’ at Windsor. The pageant was part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
Tetrathlon teams visited the USA
A team visited the USA on a hunting exchange
HRH Prince Philip retired as President
The Polocrosse Championships were held for the first time at Sansaw Park
The UK hosted the International Mounted Games Visit - and won!
Polo Teams competed in Uruguay, South Arfica and the USA.
Council agreed to the formation of a Management Board and an Audit Committee.
2003
HRH The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO QSO became President.
The inaugural National Quiz was held.
Polo teams competed in the USA and South Africa
A Mounted Games team visited Canada and returned victorious for the 3rd year running A group visited Eire for a hunting exchange
100 Members rode in Windsor Great Park to raise funds for the Air Ambulance - a total of £10, 000 was raised
Lt Col K G Wesley retired as Chairman.
2004
Mrs Mary Anderson became Chairman.
The Pony Club celebrated its 75th anniversary.
The inaugral Horse and Pony Care competition at the Championships was held.
Polo teams competed in the USA, France and South Africa.
A Mounted Games team visited the USA and returned victorious for the fourth year running.
A Polocrosse team visited the USA and returned victorious.
The UK hosted the International Tetrathlon.
HRH The Princess Royal visited Twin Trees Riding School.
Mrs Sally Lefroy retired as Chairman of Tetrathlon and Mrs Gillie Summers was appointed.
Mr Dave Brookes retired as Chairman of Polocrosse and Mrs Ursula Scott was appointed.
Pony Racing was introduced as a pilot scheme.
Mrs Lucinda Darling and Mrs Marjorie Langford died.
More Categories:
