Central Ontario Region Welcomes New Eco Ridge and Manitoulin Pony Clubs

The new Eco Ridge and Manitoulin Pony Clubs are set to take their places as Branches of the Central Ontario Region of the Canadian Pony Club in time for the 2009 season. They have both been confirmed as full Branches, and their members may now take part in Central Ontario Region Pony Club activities once they have achieved at least the minimum (D) level in the Pony Club testing system.

The Eco Ridge Pony Club is based at The Ajax Riding Academy in Ajax Ontario, though members may ride elsewhere. Members are from areas including Pickering, Ajax, Oshawa, Whitby and Port Perry. Most members are participating in Pony Club activities on horses or ponies provided by The Ajax Riding Academy, although some have their own mounts. Once tested, the children plan to focus on dressage and show jumping.

The Manitoulin Pony Club is based at the new Honora Bay Riding Stables in Little Current, where most of the members take lessons. The children will be testing for their D levels later this spring and in the fall, and thereafter plan to focus on dressage or tetrathlon (a four-phase competition including running, swimming and target shooting along with riding) for 2010 as well as participating in a variety of activities on the Island to build interest in Pony Club. The kids may also have outings, such as a visit to the Sorraia horse sanctuary on the west end of the Island.

Pony Club is an international organization to promote riding and horsemanship skills to young people up to 21 years of age. It has been active in Canada since 1934, and has contributed to the development of many members of the Canadian Equestrian Team. The Central Ontario Region comprises approximately 20 branches with about 300 members. Worldwide membership in Pony Club exceeds 100,000, making it the largest equestrian organization. Show jumping is the most familiar Pony Club activity (especially with TV coverage of international events). Other activities for Pony Club members include dressage, mounted games, rallies (eventing), tetrathlon and quiz. Pony Club has a strong educational component, with clinics, textbooks and study aids available for its members. First and foremost, the objective of Pony Club is to encourage safe fun in horse-related activities, thereby creating well-rounded horsemen and women.

For more information about the Eco Ridge Pony Club, contact District Commissioner Nicole Clarke at (905) 619-9709 or via email at nicole.vclarke@sympatico.ca. For more information about the Manitoulin Pony Club, contact District Commissioner Hutchinson at 705-859-3345 or via email at sgbhutchinson@hotmail.com. More information on Pony Club may be found at www.canadianponyclub.org.