Pony club?

J

Jericho

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Was hoping that someone would be able to give me some advice on the Pony Club? my nearly 5year old daughter is starting to show a real interest and we have a very good Welsh A at home who she can now ride off lead rein in walk and trot but I think I cant teach her anymore than I have (mostly because I dont want to push her and also because she doesnt take kindly to 'instruction' from me - she is the same with swimming lessons). I have looked on the Pony Club website but unsure whether she is really too young to go to rallies and things, does anyone else have experience of little uns starting out at Pony club? What kind of things do they do which she ciould get involved it? I must say I quite tentative about pony club as I have some rather shaded view from when I was younger of it being very competitive and mums taking over so has it changed in the last 20 years? Should I start her off at a riding school instead and see how it goes? Or should I get an instructor to come to us (if so anyone know of a good childrens instructor who does private on Suffolk / Essex border?

Many thanks and sorry for all the questions!!!!
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Ok, I will attempt to answer your questions!

1.Personally I don't think she is too young, In my view the earlier you start PC the better as that way you make lots of good friends before everyone gets older,bitchier and more cliquey.

2. She could indeed go to rallies, the majority of them do groups/lessons for the really little uns, where they do, walk, trot poles, bending cones start to canter & little 'jumps'.

3.In general PC is much better now and not as cliquey BUT I would definitely advise joining one very local or where you know people before you join.

Hope this helps.
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Lou
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Our pony club has a minis section and there are quite alot of children your daughters age, They have a great time. Find out what you can about your different local branches they seem to vary quite alot, some a definatly more competative than others. Know what you mean about child not taking instruction from you!
 
my 2 are in the suffolk hunt, not sure given your location if thats your local one as im on the suffolk/essex border also. We have plenty of little ones who ride in an enclosed area (which is pretty big) they all seem to enjoy themselves and last week some of them were even seen heading towards the water complex on the xc course!
 
Theres loads of little un's in the Quorn Hunt PC and they have lots of lead rein and just-off rallies for them so I would imagine most PC's are the same , riding lessons would also be good though because pony club rallies are only once a month or less sometimes so she would'nt get much instructed riding done
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, I love to see the tots on their ponies , so cute
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I definately think you should find a local Pony Club for her especially if she is keen and you have got a suitable pony she can ride. She will have so much fun and it won't be just on her pony! Both my daughters have met so many friends through the pony club and it is nice to see them playing and getting together with the children they have just ridden with. You will find that as she gets older she will stay with some of the children that she started with. It is lovely to see them make that special bond together and congratulating each other when they've managed something new (even if it's really small). I know what you mean about being put off by Pony Club Politics as I encountered it when I was younger but I do think you can avoid it. Just take her along and both enjoy it and don't worry about what everyone thinks. There will be good and bad days!!
 
Re pony club being cliquey; i dont think it is at minis level. Once you get above that, you have your eventers, your showjumpers, and your dressagers - and these are split again into age groups and standards. There is always a "queen bee" in the pony club, and your token male at each level :P but it's the best thing!
 
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