The Flint and Denbigh Hunt Branch of the Pony Club

Based in the beautiful North Wales countryside the Flint and Denbigh Pony Club (F&D) has 290 members, making it one of the biggest in the country.  Part of Area 5 members regularly compete against the other 13 branches across North Wales and Cheshire, participating across all disciplines. Run by a hardy team of volunteers, including DC Bethan Jones and secretary Iona Pierce, they are also lucky to have the services of a dedicated team of instructors.

Chrissie Mayes reports on the branch success over the past few months.  On Sunday 10July the F&D hosted the Area Show Jumping at Dyfnog Stud by kind permission of the Gough Roberts family.  F&D saw success in all four competitions, including the winning team and Sophie Toogood in the open individual qualifying them for the championships held at Draycott Manor 13-16 August.  The intermediate level was won by Holly Blockley who qualifies as an individual, and the novice competition first rosette was awarded to F&D member Ant Woodbine.  The Newcomers was won by Lucy Roberts.

The Mounted Games team has enjoyed a successful season. At the Area competition in May the senior team of Suzi Williams, Anya Dreiling, Nan Jones, Wednesday Ritter and Becky Sedcole won qualifying for the zone finals. The junior team of Sophie and Eden Greaves, Charlotte and Tomos Williams and Megan Woodcock also qualified in third. Both teams convincingly qualified at eh zones to compete in the championship at Draycott Manor.  From an international aspect, senior team member Suzi Williams is representing Wales for the second year in succession with Anya Dreiling selected as second reserve, proving how this discipline is going from strength to strength within the club.

The branch is also excelling at horse trails, with both novice and intermediate teams winning Area 5 competition and qualifying for championships, with the open team coming a close second.  The dressage team is hoping to follow suit – regular trainings throughout the year should hold them in good stead.  Several members are involved in British Dressage, riding for Wales within the BYRDS scheme.

After a few dry years the Tetrathlon team of Suzi Williams, Anya Dreiling and Billie Jo Davies competed in the Area intermediate section at Kelsall Hill 16-17 July.  The F&D have a very successful record for Tetrathlon, winning the Girls Team Championship for two years running in 1992 and 1993 and the Boys team also won it in 1996.

The branch has always had an excellent reputation with Polocrosse – branch member Olivia Miller was part of the GB team at this year’s World Cup.

Aside from competitions, the club offers a full programme of working rallies, fun days and badges, and this year have seen a number of members successfully pass tests from E to B, as well as Road Rider test.  Many older members have completed the young instructors course held recently and no doubt will be seen in fields across North Wales instructing the younger member, continuing the circle of support that makes Flint and Denbigh, and Pony Club in general, so special.

For more information on the activities of Flint and Denbigh Pony Club please visit the website www.fndponyclub.org.uk or www.clwydrangerider.co.uk

Reproduced by kind permission of Northern Horse Magazine … www.northernhorsemagazine.co.uk