Online Pony Club

The Pony Club is an international voluntary youth organisation for young people interested in ponies and riding. Founded in England in 1929, and granted independent charitable status on 1st January 1997, there are around 330 Branches and 400 Centres in the UK alone. The Pony Club has been the starting point for a large majority of equestrian team members and medal winners. The Pony Club is represented in no less than 27 countries with a worldwide membership exceeding 110,000 making it the largest association of young riders in the world. Objectives The objectives of The Pony Club are: to encourage young people to ride and to learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with horses and riding to give instruction in riding and horsemastership and to educate Members to look after and to take proper care of their animal to promote the highest ideals of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty to create strength of character and self-discipline Membership Membership is open at any young person under the age of 25. Structure The Pony Club Office is based at Lowlands Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire from where The Pony Club is managed by a permanent staff responsible to The Board of Trustees and the Management Committee. Incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company Number: 3072475 Registered Charity Number: 1050146 Areas The Pony Club is split into 19 Areas, with a number of Branches and Centres in each, across the country. Each Area has an Area Representative who will represent their Branches and Centres at Area Representatives meetings. Branches Each Branch covers a geographical area and is organised using the purposes and the rules of The Pony Club. Every Branch is administered by a voluntary District Commissioner helped by a Committee made up of voluntary members. Pony Club Branch Membership is open to anyone under 25 years of age. Members should have access to a horse or pony, by ownership or loan, and have the means to transport the horse or pony to and from rallies and events. Centres In 1998, the Centre Membership scheme was launched for those, without their own pony who ride at riding schools, to become Members and take part in all that The Pony Club has to offer. There are currently around 400 Pony Club Centres spread across the UK. Activities at the Centre are run by the Proprietor and their Coaches. New Pony Club Centre Membership is open to anyone under 25 years of age who does not own a pony. Members pay an annual subscription and receive instruction at a Pony Club linked Centre, this subscription constitutes Membership of the Club and includes third party insurance. Since January 2016, Centre Plus Membership is also available for young riders with their own pony who ride at a Pony Club Linked Centre.