The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Youngsters saddle up at Pony Express
Young take reins as they learn skills in safe and fun club environment
Members of Perth Hunt Pony Club enjoyed a rally on a farm near Bridge of Earn.
The Pony Club is the largest association of riders in the world and the Perth group was established in 1946 and is still going strong today with a small but very active group of children and parents and a packed itinerary of events from February to October, together with a winter prize-giving.
Membership is around 30 from as far north as Alyth to Bridge of Earn and Errol. One of the mums, Ashley Sinclair, who hosted the rally at her farm, said: “Perth Hunt is a fun, friendly and supportive club where my daughters, Emily and Eva, have loved learning about horse care and riding in a safe and welcoming environment.”
The club’s field is in the middle of the racecourse at Scone Palace, where most of the competitions and many of the rallies are held. Last year some enthusiastic parents built a number of cross-country fences ranging from 30cm to 75cm which are successfully used for arena events. Winter rallies are held at Easter Rattray, Blairgowrie or Netherton Equestrian at Aberargie.
Chief instructor Jane Gilchrist is a stalwart of the club, having been a member in the 1980s, and taking up the coaching role in the late 1990s.
A BHSII and UKCC level three coach, Jane believes the Pony Club is still the best value for money for coaching, with group lessons from £12-£15 per hour. She said: “All our members get the chance to compete in area competitions and it is great to see them going on to do well, such as Rosie Allen, who won the one-star three-day event at Blair Castle a few years ago.
“I have friends all over the world from Perth Hunt Pony Club and I think this generation of children will be the same.”