Area SJ @ Hickstead

Please find attached the schedule for Area sj comp hosted by Sdhw @ Hickstead.

If you would like to take part in a team, please let me know, entries close 27th June.

Any questions please ask!

 

Katie

katieandaiden@hotmail.com

 

3 Day non residential camp

 

3 DAY CAMP

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                           32, Chestnuts Close

                                                                                                        Lindfield

                                                                                                        West Sussex

                                                                                                        RH16 2AU

 

                                                                                                        01444 415232/07816580322

 

                                                                                                        May 2025

 

 

 

To:         All Members who want to go to 3 DAY CAMP

 

 

From:     Candy Robbins – Branch and Camp Secretary

 

Camp arrangements for 2025 are underway!  This will take place at Bucklands Farm, Balcombe, Tuesday 29^th  – Thursday 31^st July.  This is a 3 day non residential camp and will make full use of the fantastic facilities that Bucklands Farm has to offer, including their cross country course.

The cost will be £240.  To secure a place I will need to receive your non-refundable deposit of £75 by 1st June – the balance of £175 will be due by 15^th June at the very latest.

 

Fees are kept as low as possible as we don't make a profit out of camps, and they usually  require some cross-subsidy from Branch funds.

 

I am happy to receive bookings by e-mail backed by payment direct into the Branch Account (20-49-76 30810541) Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis and bookings will not be treated as confirmed until supported by the non refundable deposit as above.  You will receive an e-mail notification after both your application and payment have been received.

Camp numbers will be capped – should there be any spaces as of 1st June these will be offered to members from neighbouring branches who have expressed an interest in joining us.

After your application has been received, you will be sent paperwork asking for pony and rider details and also medical information.

If you would like any further information at this point please feel free to contact me.

 

 

 

 

Candy Robbins

Branch and Camp Secretary

All day rally

A reminder that bookings for the all day rally at Bucklands Farm on Saturday 24th May close this Saturday

Working rally Sunday 11th May at Plumpton College

Details of Sunday 11^th Working Rally at Plumpton College - Lesley Scorgie Instructing. 

Please read rally attire list below for all branch rallies; 

• jodhpurs/Breeches: Light-colored (beige, cream, or white), navy, or black (solid color, no 2-tone, patterned, or denim). 
• Shirts: Plain-coloured shirt with a collar and pony club tie , or branch polo shirt t shirt. ???????????? This is a badminton themed rally - you are welcome to wear your cross-country colours if you wish - NO hooded jumpers please. 
  
  
• Sweatshirt: Branch sweatshirt - available to purchase from https://www.wainwrightscreenprint.co.uk/south-east--london-24-c.asp
  
  
• Gloves: Black, brown, or navy. 
• Hats; Plain dark colours, navy, black, brown.
  
  
• Footwear - Proper jodhpur boots and clips or long riding boots must be worn. No trainers, wellies or fashion boots. 
  
  
• Hair - shoulder length hair or longer must be worn up and off the shoulders in a hair net for safety reasons. 

Other Important Notes:

• Hat: Must be current standards and tagged. If it is not tagged you maynot be able to join in. Please arrange to see Candy for a hat tag BEFORE your rally. 
• Jewellery: No jewellery, except for permanent pieces that are adequately protected.
• Ponys: Must be clean and tidy.
• Tack: Well-fitted and clean.

Please arrive ready to start the rally promptly at your time slot - we suggest you are mounted and ready to go 5-10 minutes before your rally starts - being late effects everyone in your rally and may result in you not being able to join in for the safety of you and your pony. If you are running late for any reason, please message the organiser of the rally - details are on your confirmation email or our members Facebook page. 

??????Plumpton Village will be busy on Sunday as it is the final day of racing at Plumpton Racecourse - I would suggest avoiding coming through Plumpton village completely, as traffic often is stand still for quite some time until they open racecourse gates at midday!

10am E,D rally

Marni

Mara

Olivia

Poppy W

Millie W

11am  D Plus, C rally

Bay

Millie B

Edith 

Plumpton college have asked the following rules to be followed; 

No horses are grazed anywhere of the college campus

No haynets are tied outside of trailers 

No horses are tied up to outside of trailers 

All droppings must be cleared from arenas and car park before you leave.

All lights turned off in arenas after use and any rubbish taken with you. 

Any problems on the day please contact me on my mobile 07881651701

Many thanks

Ruth

Gridwork rally 27th April at Toad Hall

Here are the groups for the pole/ grid rally

3-4pm

Ava Emeny

Olivia O'Donovan

Florence Hall

Space for a mini

4-5pm

Millie Boreham

Lettice Schulz

Chloe Warren

Hetty Williams

Parking is up by the stable yard. Please clear any droppings/ hay.

My number is 07881404542 if any problems.

Enjoy!

Katie

All day rally

A reminder of our All Day Rally being held on Saturday 24th May at Bucklands Farm, Balcombe.

Come and enjoy the super facilities on offer to include showjumping, flatwork, cross country, games and achievement badges.

Suitable for all levels - plenty of hacking on site for the little people too.

Please book via our website - bookings close 10th May

Working rally Saturday 12th April

Hi 

Please find below details of times for Saturdays working rally at Plumpton college with Polly Thom instructing. 

Please wear usually Pony club rally attire, clean ponies and arrive on time ready to start.

No hay nets tied up outside trailers / lorries and please clean up after your ponies. 

You are welcome to decorate your ponies in and Easter theme if you wish to. 

Midday E and D rally

Marni

Oliva

Mara

Milly W

Ava

1pm D plus

Bay

Millie P

Ethan

2pm c and c plus

 

Chloe W

Millie B

Poppy

Any problems on the day please message Ruth 07881651701

Easter Egg Hunt reminder

A reminder of our Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 13th April - unmounted - at Redhouse Common, Chailey, BN8 4JE

Please meet Anne Cook for a 2.00pm start in the car park.

This is free!  All members of any age and siblings are very welcome.

If you have not already registered please let Candy Robbins know so we have lots of easter eggs to go round.

Future of Southdown Hunt East Branch of the Pony Club

Anne Cook, our District Commissioner, has decided she intends to step down from her role due to family commitments.  Charlotte Russell has offered to act as interim DC with the view of taking on the role after that.

However we also have other Senior committee members looking to retire after many years of service  – Candy Robbins, Mike Nichols, Mike Robbins, Sonia Chittenden.

Therefore we are looking for the following positions on our committee to be filled:

Branch Secretary

Branch Treasurer

Health  Safety Officer

Safe Guarding Officer.

 

The general responsibilities of our committee is  to:

Ensure financial soundness – managing budget and finances

Managing risk – implementing safety protocols and procedures

Operating within laws, rules and policies – ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Supporting the club's mission – working to achieve the club's goals and objectives

 

If you have the enthusiasm and time to take on one of these roles within the Committee, and are over 18 years of age, please let Candy Robbins know stating which role you would be interested in and a brief resume of why you would like the role and what merits you could bring to our Branch. If you would like more information on what each role comprises please ask and that can be provided in detail.

Full training and support would be given for all roles along with the essential DBS check, Safe Guarding training and where applicable a First Aid Qualification.

This would be a gradual changeover and nobody would be abandoned in their role.

All roles are voluntary and no renumeration paid.

 

Membership across Area 11 has been in decline and we are aware as a Branch we are not alone in falling numbers (membership across the Area is down by 230 since last year)  This seems to be due to more events, clinics and clubs available and also for some a financial issue.  We do however, make available a vast choice of rallies and activities for our members and these are also open all members of Area 11. We  run all rallies that are supported by members and these are usually subsidised by the Branch.

We are luckier than many branches who have to cancel many of the activities they advertise.

 We have explored the option of joining up with a neighbouring Branch but this was greeted with a complete takeover of our members rather than an amalgamation.

We very much hope the positions above will be filled and our wonderful Branch can continue.  If for any reason it becomes impossible for this Branch  to continue we will be under the guidance of Head Office and members given the option of where they would like to transfer their membership too.

Candy Robbins – Branch Secretary

Working rally this Saturday

Hi 

Please find details of the working rally for this Saturday at Chelwood equestrian center, indoor school. 

Polly Thom is instructing

1pm group - Full

Poppy - Snowy

Kara - Bonny

Bay - Cindy

Hetty - Zola

2pm group - 2 spaces

Marni - Harold

Olivia - Rocky

If you have a query or want to fill a space please get in touch with working rally organiser, Ruth 07881651701

Usual Pony club rally attire to be worn.

Jodhpurs plain in colour - black, navy, beige, white, grey. 

SDHE sweatshirt / Polo T shirt  or shirt and Pony club tie.

Jewellery to be removed or studs to be taped.

Coat appropriate for weather - hoods removed or tucked in.

Hat must be tagged with a pink hat tag or yellow if you have your spur test or C plus or above.

Riding boots, long or Jodhpur boots.

Long hair to be tied back and off the shoulder.

Body protectors can be worn if desired but must comply with BETA 2018 standards - Body protectors are compulsory for cross country rallies. 

Clean tack / Clean horse and ponies

No hay nets to be tied up outside trailers or lorries and please clean up after your horses and ponies. 

Looking forward to seeing you!

Many thanks

Ruth

NewsLetter 202503 - Complete

Please open the attached PDF document.

NewsLetter 202503

Please see attached News Letter in PDF format.

Show jumping rally this Saturday

Here are the groups for Saturday's sj rally with Sonia

2-3pm

Bay

Mara

Kara

Lois 

3-4pm

Imi

Millie T

Isabel

Millie B

Please clear any hay/ droppings and set the course back to 90 after last group.

Have fun!

Katie x

Camp 2025

Camp 2025

Sadly we are unable to run a residential camp at Plumpton Racecourse this year due to insufficient numbers. 

We have explored several avenues including joining up with other branches but this still has not given us the numbers to enable running a residential camp.  We are not alone. Many branches are also experiencing a decline in numbers, not running residential camps and holding day camps instead which seems to be the popular choice of parents.

We will try to run a residential camp in 2026 but that will rely on membership increasing across the area.

 

However we will run the 3 day rally at Bucklands Farm which was a huge success last year and much fun had by all.

This will run Tuesday 29^th – Thursday 31^st July 10.00-3.00pm and the cost will be £240

 

The official camp invitation letter will follow shortly and booking made available via our website.

 

Candy Robbins

Area Quiz - please reply to Sonia if interested asap

The Pony Club Area 11 National Quiz Qualifier

Hosted by West Kent Meopham Branch

Sunday 9^th March 2025, at 2- 4.30pm

Arrival from 1.30pm with briefing at 1.45pm

Ditton Community Centre, Kiln Barn Road, Ditton,

Kent, ME20 6AH

Entry Fee:  £40 per team via Entrymaster https://wkmeophampc.entrymaster.online/

       Closing Date: Wednesday 26^th  February 2025

Official organisers:    

Jane Laird : 07957 252271

Beverly Saville 07791458621

Teas, coffees and cakes will be available

There will be a side hall for parents/carers to wait in and a raffle with lots of lovely prizes. 

Please bring cash as no card payment option available.

 

 

SECTIONS

• Mini Section- Team of four - Ages to be 10 years and under on the 1st of January of competition year, with one member to be 8 years and under. 
• Junior/Senior Section – Teams of four - must have two junior members (ages to be 14 years and under )  and then two of any age up to 25.

All ages will be taken from the 1st January 2025

Highest placed Centre and Branch teams from each section will qualify for the Quiz Final which will take place on 4^th May 2025 at Sheffield Wednesday Football Stadium.   Any further qualifying places will be in accordance with the rule book.

Competitors should wear PC sweatshirts/polo shirts and smart, comfortable trousers (no ripped jeans) and shoes. One team member must wear a XC bib containing their pony club branch and team name.

 Team name will need to be printed at home.

 

STEWARDS

Each team entered is required to provide one steward to help officiate at each 'station'. Stewards do not need to have extensive equestrian knowledge but are there to assist teams and to ensure fair practise throughout the competition. Full briefing will be given for all stewards before the competition starts. Without sufficient stewards, the competition cannot run. Steward details will be requested on Entrymaster.   

 

Health & Safety

Organisers of this event have taken reasonable precautions to ensure the  health and safety of everyone present. For these measures to be effective, everyone must take all reasonable precautions to avoid and prevent accidents occurring and must obey the instructions of the organisers and all the officials and stewards.

Legal Liability

Save for the death or personal injury caused by the negligence of the organisers, or anyone for whom they are in law responsible, neither the organisers of this event or The Pony Club nor any agent, employee or representative of these bodies, nor the landlord or their tenant, accepts any liability for any accident, loss, damage, injury or illness to horses, owners, riders, spectators, land, cars, their contents and accessories, or any other person or property whatsoever. Entries are only accepted on this basis.

 

Monty

Please note, allowing members and others to post adverts for members is a service which Southdown East branch of the Pony Club is offering to members as a benefit of membership.  It is done in good faith and without any liability on the part of the Pony Club.  If you enter into any arrangement advertised or purchase any item following an advertisement listed by the branch, you do so as a private individual, without recourse to the Pony Club, and must satisfy yourself that any product or arrangement is suitable for your circumstances.

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The following advertisement is placed by Gemma Johnson (a parent of a former member in the Branch).  Gemma may be contacted on 07901 876199.

New dates

Two dates to add to your diaries - both on website and available for booking with spaces limited

Saturday 29th March - Working Hunter rally at East Byshee, Newchapel.  Come and learn what working hunter is all about, training over natural obstacles within an arena with jumps 60cm upwards

Saturday 24th May - All Day Rally at Bucklands Farm Cross Country course - a mixture of dressage, showjumping, cross country, achievement badges and lots of fun

Show jumping rally at Alderlake 15th February - spaces available too

Here are the groups-

2-3pm

Bay 

Milly P

Kara

3-4pm

Poppy

Millie B

Spaces in both. Polly Thom instructing.

Please clear any hay/ droppings and set the jumps back to 90cm after last lesson.

Have fun!

Katie

Spurs Test

A Spurs Test has been organised for those that need to wear spurs but have not attained their C+ test or above.  This will take place on Sunday 2nd March at Toad Hall Equestrian @11.00 onwards and cost is £15 to our members.

The test will be examined by an outside assessor and comprises of both theory and ridden sections. The theory covers all aspects of the syllabus and includes observing candidates putting on and fitting their spurs correctly.  For the ridden part candidates will be observed riding without spurs at walk, trot, canter, performing school figures, jumping 2 fences to demonstrate riding over and inbetween fences.

If the assessor is satisfied that the candidate has shown a balanced and stable position with a secure lower leg, they will then be asked to put on their spurs and repeat the movements above.

After the test the assessor will deliver the results. Both theory and practical parts of the test need to be taken and passed on the same day. Unsuccessful candidates cannot be reassessed on the same day.

If you are ready for this test and would like to do it, please book very quickly. There are 8 spaces only. Any spaces not taken by 10th February will be offered to other Branches.

Once booked, Sonia will send you the syllabus and a date will be arranged for all candidates to attend an unmounted training session.  Many candidates have failed for not being properly prepared and not understanding the syallabus - the 3 girls who attended the last training session do not have to redo the training unless they feel they would like to be refreshed.

Candy Robbins

0781 6580322

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Egg Hunt - unmounted on Sunday 13th April at Redhouse Common, Chailey, BN8 4JE - 2.00PM start.

This is free to all our members, all ages very welcome and siblings welcome too.

Please meet Anne Cook in the car park for the start.

Please message candyrobbins06@gmail.com to register so we know how many eggs to hide

Working rally Sunday 9th February

Working rally Sunday 9^th February at Plumpton College with Lesley Scorgie instructing Midday -3pm - 3 x one-hour sessions.

If you are wanting to book onto this working rally, please do before the weekend so times and venue bookings can be adjusted.

Groups may be subject to change and will be confirmed the week before.

Midday

4 spaces available - will be cancelled if not booked.

1pm - 1 space left

Marni - Harold

Mara - Lola

Olivia - Rocky

2pm - Full

Poppy - Snowy

Amelie - Charlie

Millie B - Breeze

Millie P - Tate

Many thanks

Ruth Corke

07881651701

ruthieowen@hotmail.com

new points system for our members

Starting from 1^st February we are running a points league for our members, with prizes for the top 3 in each section, ending 30^th  September 2025.

There will be 2 sections, 11 years and under and 12 years upwards.

Ridden rally – 2 points

Unmounted – 1 point (stable management, achievement badges etc.)

Competing for our branch at events – 2 points

Points will also be earnt for personal endeavour – i.e. cantering off the lead for the first time, coping with a tricky situation with your horse, first cross country event etc – these will be awarded at the discretion of the instructor.

So let's get booking those rallies and earning points!

Working rally this Saturday

Groups for this Saturdays working rallies at Chelwood Equestrian center, Indoor school, with Polly Thom instructing.

2pm Junior group

Olivia on Rocky

(3 spaces free)

3pm Senior Group

Millie on Duncan

Poppy on Chilli

Millie B on Breeze

(1 space free)

Booking has now closed for this rally however we do have 3 junior spaces available due to cancelations and 1 senior space available. If you would like to join in please contact me on 07881651701 and every effort will be made to accommodate you. 

Please arrive in plenty of time and be ready to start your working rally.

Clean tack -Instructors will check your tack for safety.

Clean horses / ponies.

Plain coloured jodhpurs and a branch pony club polo t- shirt / sweatshirt.

Correct riding boots to be worn.

Spurs only to be worn by members that have passed their C+ test or their Spurs test. 

Coats without hoods may be worn when cold.

Long hair must be tied up off the shoulders for safety. 

Please clean up after your pony in the car park - no hay nets to be tied up outside trailers.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday - Any problems please get in touch 07881651701

Many thanks

Ruth

Horsebox For Sale

Please note, allowing members and others to post adverts for members is a service which Southdown East branch of the Pony Club is offering to members as a benefit of membership.  It is done in good faith and without any liability on the part of the Pony Club.  If you enter into any arrangement advertised or purchase any item following an advertisement listed by the branch, you do so as a private individual, without recourse to the Pony Club, and must satisfy yourself that any product or arrangement is suitable for your circumstances.

---

The following advertisement has been submitted by Naresh Perring who is the parent of a member in the Branch.  All enquiries should be addressed to Naresh via HorseQuest.

2009 CITRON RELAY 3.5T, BUILT NEW 2021

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It's advertised with HorseQuest and the reference is:  #: 360619

£20,000

·      

Mileage - 88,000

 

Fitted with isolator, New Battery & New Leaf Springs

 

Beautifully kept/Very Reliable

 

Our Beautifully kept horsebox is up for sale due to lack of use. Recently fitted with isolator, battery, and leaf springs. 

·         6 speed, Manual gear box 
3 Seater bench seat
Electric windows 
Radio
Camera
Central locking cab - 2 sets of keys 
Fully rubber matted floor and walls
1 Ton payload
Lightweight half ramp and pull down top door
Saddle bars and two bridle hooks
2 x bench seating in the rear
Tie rings inside and out
Up to date with Service and MOT

 

Show jumping competitions

There are a couple of sj competitions coming up in February.

1st February Interbranch @ Golden Cross hosted by East Sussex pc.

Classes are 40-50cm 1a lead rein

                                      1b assisted but not lead

Then 60cm-1m team and individual.

£16 per class plus booking fee.

Please let me know by 14th Jan if you would like to be in a team and also if you want to enter as an individual.

Entries via Entry master 

18th February @ Felbridge hosted by CHH pc.

Classes are 40cm-1.10m team and individual.

£25 per class plus booking fee per ticket.

Please let me know by 31st Jan.

Entries via Horse Events

My email is Katieandaiden@hotmail.com

Mobile 07881404542

Any questions just ask!

Katie

Area 11 dressage qualifier 18th January

Area 11 Dressage qualifiers are taking place on Saturday 18th January at Sands Farm, West Sussex - for more information please contact Nicola.

If you're interested in being part of a team, please let me know?

You must book as an individual online HERE, before Monday 13th January. 

And we'll confirm teams ahead of the day with the organisers.

We also have a dressage rally Saturday 11th January at Chelwood, which can be booked HERE - perfect practice time with Polly.  

And only 4 spaces left. Bookings close this weekend. 

Full schedule attached. 

Many thanks,

Nicola.