Welcome to the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt Pony Club web site
Latest updates:
22.01.12 - Details of AGM on Wednesday 15th February added to Diary page. Latest news section updated.
17.01.12 - Diary page updated and Triathlon report added to latest news section below
12.01.12 - Area Quiz entry form for 17th Feb & Endurance/Pleasure ride entry form for 5th Feb added to Diary page
Spooners & West Dartmoor Hunt Branch of the Pony Club was established in 1967 in Area 16 and currently has 70 members covering an area around Plymouth and Tavistock as far north as Postbridge.
If you are not already a Pony Club member click here to see the benefits!
As a member of our Pony Club
We want you to appreciate and enjoy your pony with like-minded people and hopefully make new friendships on the way.
Within the Pony Club you will have opportunities to compete and represent our Pony Club in competitions - this is not compulsory - it is up to you! You can just come along and watch if you want!
Available to you through being a member:
- Rallies: Open to all to teach you more about riding and caring for your pony.
- Show Jumping/Team Show Jumping: Open to all.
- Prince Phillip: Gymkhana games open to all.
- Dressage: Open to all.
- Endurance Riding: Open to all.
- One-day events (ODE): Combination of dressage, show jumping, and cross-country.
- D days: As above but for less experienced members.
- Triathlons Shooting, Swimming, Running.
- Tetrathlons Shooting, Swimming, Running, Cross-Country Jumping.
- Pony Club Tests Lessons are given to improve riding and horse care knowledge. Tests are normally taken from 7 years onwards.
- Achievement Badges For the younger members a fun way to learn more about horsemanship and the countryside.
- Pony Club Camp Open to all ages for you and your pony.
For more information please click on the links in the 'Where to go from here' section at the bottom of this page.
We also try to arrange social get togethers such as Easter Egg hunts, pleasure rides, mini mock hunts with optional tour of kennels etc etc. If you have any queries or questions do feel free to contact Rebecca Townsend (your DC) on 01822 841871 or Tracy Coupland (parent) on 01822 855304.
Rallies - How to book in
Please use the current rally booking form that can be downloaded from the Diary page on the website. It will have the upcoming rallies for the next three months, sometimes more, and if you intend going to any of the dates please send form with payment in advance to Rebecca T at the address provided on form. If you are unable to download the form, feel free to write down the list of rallies you wish to attend on a piece of plain paper or even send via email! Just be sure to incude name, age, tel no and pony name and it must be accompanied by payment. Then phone 01822 841871 two days before rally to confirm time.
Rallies - What to wear
There is a certain dress code for both you and your pony, for instance brightly coloured numnahs and jodhpurs are not really acceptable. Riders are expected to wear beige jodhpurs and riding boots to Pony Club events including rallies with shirt, tie and jacket or Pony Club jumper. Pony Club ties and badges are available from our Membersip Secretary. Sweatshirts and Polo shirts are available on 01822 841871 or email spooners@pcuk.org. Riding hats should have a Pony Club approved safety logo or number. So before going to buy anything new for you or your pony it might be wise to check. Any committee member or experienced parent will be only too happy to help.
Latest reports:
17.01.12 - January 2012 Triathlon Report
The Spooners Tetrathletes have started the new season in winning style. Megan and Henry travelled up to Wellington on January 8th for the Devon & Somerset Pony Club’s triathlon. Megan came 5th in a class of 32 Junior Girls, and Henry, competing for the first time as a Junior Boy was pleased with his 5th place. This weekend – January 15th was closer to home and a strong squad attended the Dartmoor Triathlon in Plympton. Once again Megan performed well with a good shoot, run and swim to finish 5th in a strong class of over 30 Junior Girls. Henry achieved personal bests for his shoot and run and came 4th in the Junior boys class. Harriet swam a personal best and was in a mixed team which came 4th in the Mini Girls class. The Spooners mixed mini’s - Frankie, Will, Rio and Bethany put in great all round performances and personal best swims to be placed 5th as a team. Will also shot the highest score in his class and came 8th individually. Everyone is now looking forward the Eggesford Triathlon in Okehampton next month.
22.01.12 - Congratulations
Congratulations to Rachel Ware, Adele Colton and Kate Spry who all passed their Lunging Test this afternoon. WELL DONE GIRLS!
22.01.12 - Hunting report
I had a lovely day out with the hounds today when the meet was at the Rock Hotel. It was great to see so many of our members out. This year several have joined us for the day and today Chloe, Jade, Lily, Lauren, William, Louise, Maddy, Thea, Emily and Sam did us proud. Often Sophie, Lucy, Rachel, Henry, Jessica, Merry and George are out but obviously some days are too full and decisions have to be made. Our members are a credit to us, well turned out and polite. The way they control their ponies is amazing and I am convinced that the whole experience of riding cross country among other riders at varying speeds is invaluable for their Pony Club competitions. It is amazing what fun can be had and sometimes you can hardly believe where you have been distance wise. Also you are putting into practise all the lessons the instructors teach at the rallies without even realizing it. Well done the Spooners!! Alida