Concerns about Pony Club

Status
Not open for further replies.
X

xxMozlarxx

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 November 2010
Messages
1,335
Location
In a house
Visit site
Hi Folks, has anyone had any serious concerns about Pony Club of any nature, either branch or HQ. For example, ignoring welfare concerns or similar? :(
PM if preferred. Cheers :)
 
Each branch should have a child protection officer. If you don't feel comfortable raising your issue with either the CPO or the DC then you could go higher, there is a structure in place that's fairly traceable via the PC websites.
 
No direct experience with PC, but if there are child protection concerns, I would raise these with social services or the police, rather than going 'in house'. Internal investigations are likely to be carried out by people without the necessary authority/experience, to be sufficiently rigorous.
 
Thanks folks, im not particuarly thinking of child protection concerns although wuld still be interested if people have experiences, more horse welfare or anything of any nature that anyone has raised. :)
 
When you say 'horse welfare' do you mean when the welfare of an individual horse is compromised by the activities of the branch itself? (An example, would be a PC instructor aggessively beating a horse over a jump or a cross country rally being run on dangerous ground conditions).

Or do you mean how a branch has dealt with welfare concerns about an individual member's horse or pony (for example, one that is underweight, lame etc).
 
I've heard of 2 incidents at a pc. My friends daughter joined aged 15, & was put in a jumping group according to her age, rather than horses education so a youngster who had only done 6" x poles was put in the 2'9"-3' group. They refused to put fences down or let her change groups (she wanted to go with the minis so the horse gained confidence). End result was after 2 meetings girl never went back.

Second one was another (16) teenage girl from our yard again had issues in her jumping group at a meeting. Horse kept refusing jump (in wrong group again?), instructor said horse (again young) was being naughty, told her to ride into fence again, & couple of strides out threw a jump pole at the horse to try & get him over fence. They never went back.

I've also been about (they held camps at yard) a very good pc, who did fantastic things with their kids.
 
Hi, am interested to know why you are asking are you doing a study ?
I have spoken to the Dc once over a pony that I had concerns about and she has dealt with it very well.
If anything I think our Pony club keeps people in lower groups than necessary sometimes but agree when the child is nervous or a young pony. The groups are sorted out by somebody who is at all the rallies and is aware of the capabilities of each child , they do tend to group the ponies into sizes sometimes which can be awkward for my 15 year old on his 13hh pony. i did speak about this and it has been resolved so i am very happy with the work that ours do.
 
This thread is a shame. Pony club is one of the best experiences a child can have with a pony. Just look at the pics in the current horse and hound and read the stories of pro riders and the fun they had at camp etc.

I hope this is not compiling evidence to sue pc. Kids can do little enough nowadays. I agree with safety, but lets not wrap them up in cotton wool FGS.
 
Honey08 said:
This thread is a shame. Pony club is one of the best experiences a child can have with a pony. Just look at the pics in the current horse and hound and read the stories of pro riders and the fun they had at camp etc.

I hope this is not compiling evidence to sue pc. Kids can do little enough nowadays. I agree with safety, but lets not wrap them up in cotton wool FGS.
Click to expand...

^^^ I agree with that, but of course where you get Pony Clubs you get Pony Club mums:D

We had a delight who tried to get reimbursed for the £85 she'd spent on kitting her daughter out in XC colours and matching boots, numnah etc for her daughter's first XC rally. She'd got directions from me (local to her) she'd got directions from the rally organiser, she looked at the venue's website, she couldn't find the venue. She rang me en route for directions, which I gave, she rang the rally organiser for directions, which she gave, she went to the local tack shop who gave directions (turn left at the end of the road, follow the road round, look for the signs on your left, you'll see the XC course, it's about a mile). She still couldn't find it.

She then went ballistic, wanted the money for the kit, complained about the rally organiser to the DC and complained about the DC to HQ when she didn't get refunded and was an utter PITA.
 
Honey08 said:
This thread is a shame. Pony club is one of the best experiences a child can have with a pony. Just look at the pics in the current horse and hound and read the stories of pro riders and the fun they had at camp etc.

I hope this is not compiling evidence to sue pc. Kids can do little enough nowadays. I agree with safety, but lets not wrap them up in cotton wool FGS.
Click to expand...

Agree with Honey^^^^

Far too little that kids can do nowadays anyway, for fear of the sueing culture we live in.

And I personally think it's a little rude to ask a question without giving a reason for it being asked in the first place. Not an approach that would get an answer out of me.

:)
 
As a pc branch secretary, I find it quite hard to answer your question without you actually being more specific!

If a pony is lame or looks to be under/over weight, the parents would be advised by our dc & senior instructor. If a child or parent is seen to be treating the pony/horse in an inappropriately manner, they would be warned by the dc.
If the parents have a problem with anyone/thing at pc they usually speak to DC or myself where we try our best to rectify any problems. Complaints are taken very seriously. I would hope members & their parents feel able to talk to one of us if they do have any concerns, if not I would then hope they contacted the area rep instead, although we have always managed to resolve any problems ourselves so far. It does help that we are an extremely small club of less than 40 members though & everyone really does know each other. Im not sure how things are resolved in bigger clubs. All our instructors knows every member so any grouping problems are sorted out very swiftly. If you would like to pm me if you are having any problems, please do & ill do my best to help xx
 
Years and years and years ago a rather "large" lady instructor got on a smallish pony (presumably it was being naughty) and she was sacked from the Pony Club.

I once had an issue with an instructor and I wish I had acted and made my daughter leave the rally.

I had told the instructor that horse was very inexperienced jumper and daughter was confident, but not used to the horse and to keep the fences small. So the first fence the instructor asked the ride to jump was an upright, narrow brush fence. Of course they all stopped, and frankly it didn't get much better. The horse did jump over the small fences, but it was not a confidence improving rally, and I was standing by, fuming.
 
The Pony Club is like any other organisation. It can be wonderful, it has been hugely beneficial to a great many children (and parents), and like anything else things can, and do, go wrong.

Each branch differs according to the people running it, taking part in it, and the location it's in. If your concerns are at branch level, then speaking to your DC is the way forward - and then it depends on your DC as to what action is taken thereafter. Failing a satisfactory response from your DC, you should contact your Area Rep. The outcome of this will depend on how deep in the AR's pockets the DC is.

If you need to take your concerns to HQ, then God help you. PCHQ is the least transparent organisation there is, and they simply will not want the hassle of dealing with your issue, however serious it is, unless they are made to, and will bat your complaint straight back to the AR who will bat it back to the DC.

FWIW I used to be one of the "PC is wonderful" brigade until I found out differently. Can't begin to describe how shattered my illusions were :(
 
I teach for a PC. Thankfully i have never had a serious welfare issue come up. i had a pony who was new to a child whose saddle wasn't a great fit and the pony was being quite naughty. In my PC in is quite common for the instructors to have a chat with the parents and children after and I mentioned POLITELY to the parents that I thought the saddle needed checking, which they took on board and had it looked at. There was another pony I had in my group several times which was just a bit too much for a novice child who was booked onto camp in a months time. The parents were already concerned and I suggested that we tried to find a quieter pony for the child to have a fun camp on. Again, they took what I said very well and the PC found a pony for her to borrow (and she had a great camp on). After every ralley, the ralley organiser (and the DC) always asks the instructors if we have had any problems or anything they should be aware of and I told them what I had said. This way if another instructor has the child in their group another time they are made aware of any issues at the start. I find it very well organised.

I know that one pony at junior camp came in from a ride with awful girth galls. Not me, but the intsructor had to be very firm with the parents that the pony was not to be brought back the next day. That did not go down very well, but another pony was found for the child to ride.
 
Rowreach said:
The Pony Club is like any other organisation. It can be wonderful, it has been hugely beneficial to a great many children (and parents), and like anything else things can, and do, go wrong.

Each branch differs according to the people running it, taking part in it, and the location it's in. If your concerns are at branch level, then speaking to your DC is the way forward - and then it depends on your DC as to what action is taken thereafter. Failing a satisfactory response from your DC, you should contact your Area Rep. The outcome of this will depend on how deep in the AR's pockets the DC is.

If you need to take your concerns to HQ, then God help you. PCHQ is the least transparent organisation there is, and they simply will not want the hassle of dealing with your issue, however serious it is, unless they are made to, and will bat your complaint straight back to the AR who will bat it back to the DC.

FWIW I used to be one of the "PC is wonderful" brigade until I found out differently. Can't begin to describe how shattered my illusions were :(
Click to expand...

Talk about shattered illusions...

Gross mismanagement of funds at branch level, a committee whose operations were more covert than MI5, favouritism and nepotism. And an Area Rep in whom no one had any faith whatsoever. AFAIK they are still 'in charge'. Nothing to do with pushy mums and posh kids at all, just closed-shop behaviour and a revolt when it was challenged. Some DC's are absolutely wonderful, but others...

The kid and pony side was brilliant, though.
 
I have nothing but high regards for the pony club even if a lot of the instructors sometimes sound like they have a loud speaker stuck up their backside and talk like they are military sergeants :D
Seriuosly why do thye need to shout as loud as they do the riders are learning to ride they ain't deaf.

I rode for many years starting more seriusly as a 10 year oldn but never got told about the Pony Club so spent all my younger years just beign a happy hacker, no dressage, no jumping, no teaching nothing. In fact I taught myself to ride by working in various industries.

When I go to shows now I can spot the kids that go to Pony Club from those that don't.

I wish I had known about the PC years ago. :(
 
Honey08 said:
This thread is a shame. Pony club is one of the best experiences a child can have with a pony. Just look at the pics in the current horse and hound and read the stories of pro riders and the fun they had at camp etc.
Click to expand...

brighteyes said:
Talk about shattered illusions...

Gross mismanagement of funds at branch level, a committee whose operations were more covert than MI5, favouritism and nepotism. And an Area Rep in whom no one had any faith whatsoever. AFAIK they are still 'in charge'. Nothing to do with pushy mums and posh kids at all, just closed-shop behaviour and a revolt when it was challenged. Some DC's are absolutely wonderful, but others...

The kid and pony side was brilliant, though.
Click to expand...

Honey08, there have also sadly been articles in H&H regarding the issues that brighteyes and I have mentioned, which unfortunately have only skimmed the surface, as HQ are complete masters at brushing things under the carpet :(
 
I hated PC, and don't generally recomend it for kids. My friends' daughter took my pony, so I went quite a bit to watch, I was stunned at the poor level of teaching. I watched various instructors teach, and they basically directed them, but never mentioned position, or how the pony was going. This doesn't seem to be limited to PC, as I have seen it in action at RC too. The groups were often poorly matched, although I have some sympathy with this, as some of the children don't go regularlaly, and they therefore don't know how well they ride.
One thing I have never seen at PC, which sadly I have at RC is lame horses being allowed to continue in the lesson. The instructor at RC didn't even seem aware of the fact that it was lame!
 
As with all voluntary organisations, the PC (at Branch level) is only as good as the volunteers it has. Our PC area is very active with a large number of Branches and generally there is a Branch to suit most members ie very competitive, more low key, lots of rallies, etc etc. I would always suggest a child becomes a member but I would suggest having a look at different Branches if possible to find one that suits. My daughter is a member of one where it is not necessary to have a fully-extendable blinged-up lorry to deliver child and pony to a rally (and there are some locally like that) and yet the Branch manages to be competitive for its size.

Most of the volunteers are there for a good reason - to give something back to the organisation that they and their children have enjoyed being members of. Some are there because they like the power. Some are there because they have nothing better to do with their lives.

Generally speaking the children learn to ride well, and through the system of tests, learn to look after their ponies and horses properly. You can also always spot a former PC member at any prize giving as they will always be turned out correctly :D
 
I went to the Pony Club in the 1950's and had huge fun, learnt loads and did all sorts of pony activities. It was very "old fashioned' in its' teaching and seemed to be run to cavalry standards, 'boning' our boots, having the ponies in 'horse lines' and doing lots of riding and jumping with no stirrups and arms folded. The only thing I felt about it then was that tack and turnout prizes always seemed to go to the posh children - of which I was not one. Me, my pony and my tack were always immaculate, but I never got a prize . . . The Pony Club and hunting very regularly from about seven years of age gave me a very sound basis from which to progress.
 
our local pcs any welfare issues would be dealt with before most parents would be aware of it-with dc's down on you like a ton of bricks, be it obese ponies or whip happy children. The instructor quality is second to none, its cheap so all kids can join in and i really can say nothing bad about it. the area rep is poor but sure that's life. It totally dependsw aht area you are in.
 
Rowreach said:
Honey08, there have also sadly been articles in H&H regarding the issues that brighteyes and I have mentioned, which unfortunately have only skimmed the surface, as HQ are complete masters at brushing things under the carpet :(
Click to expand...

I know there are some issues, but over all its great for kids. I spent most of my childhood adoring it, and a lot of the time as an adult teaching at it or watching my own stepson having a great time and learning. All horsey committees are a bit wierd. My local rc one is just as bad. If you're not happy with things, the best thing to do is to get involved. A lot of these "cliquey" committee members actually work damned hard and appreciate people getting involved rather than just complaining..

Swirlymurphy said:
As with all voluntary organisations, the PC (at Branch level) is only as good as the volunteers it has. Our PC area is very active with a large number of Branches and generally there is a Branch to suit most members ie very competitive, more low key, lots of rallies, etc etc. I would always suggest a child becomes a member but I would suggest having a look at different Branches if possible to find one that suits. My daughter is a member of one where it is not necessary to have a fully-extendable blinged-up lorry to deliver child and pony to a rally (and there are some locally like that) and yet the Branch manages to be competitive for its size.

Most of the volunteers are there for a good reason - to give something back to the organisation that they and their children have enjoyed being members of. Some are there because they like the power. Some are there because they have nothing better to do with their lives.

Generally speaking the children learn to ride well, and through the system of tests, learn to look after their ponies and horses properly. You can also always spot a former PC member at any prize giving as they will always be turned out correctly :D
Click to expand...

Agree with this.

I still think this is a sad thread, and as Redmone pointed out, very secretive. Not the nicest kind of thread when they can't even say why they want to know...:mad:
 
Burmilla said:
I went to the Pony Club in the 1950's and had huge fun, learnt loads and did all sorts of pony activities. It was very "old fashioned' in its' teaching and seemed to be run to cavalry standards, 'boning' our boots, having the ponies in 'horse lines' and doing lots of riding and jumping with no stirrups and arms folded. The only thing I felt about it then was that tack and turnout prizes always seemed to go to the posh children - of which I was not one. Me, my pony and my tack were always immaculate, but I never got a prize . . . The Pony Club and hunting very regularly from about seven years of age gave me a very sound basis from which to progress.
Click to expand...

You'd like my daughter's PC then, they do sessions no stirrups and doing the actions to YMCA when doing gridwork (for the older ones) and bareback stuff. As for tack & turnout my daughter does well despite the fact we're not posh, it's all her own work as backed up by the fact she gets top marks at camp for tack & turnout, and the bridle is a repaired older one, saddle is not expensive, pony is grass kept too.
 
Honey08 said:
If you're not happy with things, the best thing to do is to get involved. A lot of these "cliquey" committee members actually work damned hard and appreciate people getting involved rather than just complaining..
Click to expand...

I know you don't know me, but you can't possibly realise how angry and upset this statement makes me feel :( I won't be going into details, but I will say that I have had a lifetime of PC experiences, firstly as a member, then as a helper, then as a qualified and experienced instructor (working free of charge because I wanted to put something back into the organisation), as a committee member, and as a PC mum when my children were old enough to join (at 6 years of age). Amazingly, I still am a PC mum.

You have absolutely no idea what hell I have been through thanks to the Pony Club, and how six years later this is still affecting my children in their daily lives.

So actually if I want to complain I will, but I would advise anyone thinking of complaining to the PC not to bother, as they certainly won't.
 
Rowreach said:
I know you don't know me, but you can't possibly realise how angry and upset this statement makes me feel :( I won't be going into details, but I will say that I have had a lifetime of PC experiences, firstly as a member, then as a helper, then as a qualified and experienced instructor (working free of charge because I wanted to put something back into the organisation), as a committee member, and as a PC mum when my children were old enough to join (at 6 years of age). Amazingly, I still am a PC mum.

You have absolutely no idea what hell I have been through thanks to the Pony Club, and how six years later this is still affecting my children in their daily lives.

So actually if I want to complain I will, but I would advise anyone thinking of complaining to the PC not to bother, as they certainly won't.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, you've obviously had some dreadful experience and I apologise. You're right, I don't know you. I was basing my statement on the people at our branch that grumble about things yet never help or get involved..

ps, when people don't give details, its hard to avoid saying things that will upset - this whole thread is a bit strange.. I just find it upsetting to read a thread that attacks something that I and millions of children love
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top