Four years ago, Isle of Man Pony Club committee member, Cheryl Curphey had an idea to hold Pony Club camp at Andreas Airfield.
With no accommodation or stabling the dream seemed impossible, however the Pony Club have just held it’s fourth residential camp for 60 children on the former RAF airfield.
Members aged from 3 to 19 years old slept in horseboxes or under canvas, whilst their equine partners were in temporary paddocks.
Pony Club Camp
The instructors for camp were Cheryl Curphey, John Whiteway, Hannah Goodby-Dudgeon, Les Ingham, Julie Sansbury, Cameron Houston Lucy Parsons, Victoria Garner and Blae Richardson, along with some mums and committee who helped out with horse care.
Each morning and afternoon the members rode for an hour and half along with a horse care session.
The disciplines covered were dressage, showjumping cross country, polo, mounted games and each group enjoyed instruction over a course of working hunter fences (kind permission of the EVNPA).
Fortunately the weather was good apart from torrential rain on the second night but the day’s riding had finished early for members to go swimming so this didn’t cause too much disruption apart from a few tents leaking!
Camp Entertainment
The Saturday night’s entertainment was a disco (supplied by committee member Emily Shimell) and Bucking Bronco (supplied by Geoff Sutcliffe) this proved to be great fun.
On the Sunday night everyone went swimming where some members enjoyed taking part in a Tetrathlon Swimming challenge organised by committee member Jo Richardson.
The last night – Sports Night, organised by Matt Bond, was huge fun for everyone and it was wonderful to see all the members from the oldest to the youngest joining in and enjoying themselves with the team leaders of Isla Caine, Emma Parsons, Eve McGeown, Isla Granger, Francesca Loader and Tayla Griffin all joining in and encouraging their teams.
Volunteers
The Pony Club said: “This event takes a huge amount of organisation and work but fortunately the Pony Club here on the island has a fantastic committee of volunteers who work tirelessly for the benefit of their members but also enthusiastic parents and friends who support us.
“Just a few thank you’s – the Morrey Family for allowing us to use their land, Sarah Guimmri from the Rushen Abbey and the Forge for supplying the delicious evening meal, Linda Bond for managing the tons of food required, Rebecca Nightingale Photography for the fabulous photos, Philip Corrin for sorting out the miles of electric fencing, Gordon Clague and his team for erecting and dismantling the marquee and just a mention for those committee who worked tirelessly throughout camp.”
The next event for members will be a Day Rally at Andreas on Thursday, August 14 followed by the Autumn One Day Event on Sunday, August 31 which is open to non members.
The Pony Club are most fortunate this year to His Excellency and Lady Lorimer attending this event.
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