The Pony Club Mini Major International Show Jumping Class Following the successful running of the Mini Major competition at last year’s Olympia, The Pony Club were once again asked to select Members to compete at the 2014 show on Monday, 22nd December. The Mini Major Competition pairs up Pony Club Members on 128 cm ponies with Top International Riders, with whom they walk the course and then jump as a pair, and they are always so nice and supportive to their young partner.

The International show jumper goes first, their round isn’t timed, when they land their Mini partner sets off and their time is taken. The following Area 17 Members and ponies competed in the Mini Major at the London Olympia International Horse Show 2014 in December:- Anabelle Heffron (Miss Elegant) – Iveagh Niall McEvoy (Sparkling Majestic Caesar) – Seskinore Harriers Anabelle was paired with Guy Williams an ex-Pony Club member and Niall was paired with Reed Kessler, from the USA.

Niall jumped an impressive clear round. His time was rivalled by the next competitor and when Anabelle went to jump after her international partner Guy Williams, she jumped a fantastic, fast and balanced round to go into the lead; all the Area 17 supporters were absolutely thrilled.

The last competitor went 0.9 seconds faster than Anabelle, so Anabelle came a fantastic second place and Niall was in fifth place. Both Niall and Anabelle rode so well despite the noise, bright lights and excitement and they both enjoyed the wonderful experience, as did their Area 17 support group who were delighted by the way the two young people performed.

Vanne Campbell who has attended the Mini Major many times over the years said “Liz Lowry, Area Representative was so thrilled to hear how well our Area 17 young members rode, and how they coped so well with the intense atmosphere. We should all be very proud of them. It is a wonderful competition and experience for our young show jumpers.”

Tilly and Archie Nield, Megan Brown and Hannah Kileff. Winners of the Brookes Polocrosse Championship

Two teams of enthusiastic Polocrosse players travelled to the Pony Club Championships at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire.  The Under 12’s Team of Archie and Tilly Nield from North Down, riding Solie and Pinky, with Hannah Kileff from Killultagh riding Roxy.  Playing on the Open Advanced Team were Toby Fynn and Ruben Nield from North Down on Santana and Fern with Thomas Kileff from Killultagh riding Beeches.

They all stopped off at Celyn Polocrosse Club for two days pre-tournament training from top UK coaches, where they met and made good friends with other Pony Club members who would be their opponents later at the Championships.

Unfortunately the night before the competition started, Tilly hurt her arm and after a visit to the Hospital in Nantwich, arrived back at the camp in plaster.  She insisted on the plaster being red so she would still be able to play in team colours and she did ride to fill her team spot in the Tack and Turnout but very reluctantly gave up her team shirt to a Ledbury Pony Club player, Megan Brown during the matches.

Toby Fynn, Ruben Nield and Thomas Kileff winners of the Charles Mason Open Polocrosse Championship

Shortly after the tack and turnout checks on Saturday morning the matches started.  The Mini Team won both their matches very convincingly and were assured of a place in the final on Sunday.  The Open Team knew they had to go in all guns blazing from the first chukka.  They had been drawn against The North Warwickshire Pony Club team, winners of the championship for the past five years.  Young Thomas Kileff was the defender in a number 3 shirt playing against Chris Milburn a seasoned campaigner 9 years older than Tom, but Tom and Beeches stuck to him like glue, making it very difficult for him to get possession or a shot at goal.  Ruben Nield used his pony Fern’s agility to turn tightly, pick up the loose ball and fed it to Toby Fynn.  Then Tom and Ruben did a great job of keeping the opposing players off Toby and creating space for him to use Santana’s amazing acceleration to take him into the goal area and fire the ball between the posts.  All three players had their fair share of the ball in the line outs and finished the match with a 5 goal lead.  The next Match against the Scottish Team wasn’t going to be easy but they were now playing with such confidence that it was more like a demonstration of all their new skills acquired in recent training.  They won this again with a good goal advantage and that confirmed their place in the Sunday Final.

Sunday morning at the Championships always starts with the parade.  It is an amazing sight to see the colours of all the teams on their beautifully turned out ponies being lead around the pitch by the Umpires in black and white checks, rousing music playing in the back ground.

When the music stopped and the results of the tack and turnout was announced, all the Area 17 supporters were over the moon to hear that both teams won Best Turned Out in their sections.

Things could only get better as the under12’s took to the pitch for their final against Rockwood Harriers.  Archie and his opposite number Ryan had become great buddies since they met earlier in the week whilst training together but all friendship was put aside, while they fought for the honour of their clubs.  Hannah on Roxy defended very strongly against Ryan making it extremely difficult for him to score.  When Archie got the ball Maggie, Ryan’s sister was always hot on his heels. Both teams had their share of the ball in mid field but when it came to getting goals Ryan and Rockwood harriers couldn’t match Archies skill at finishing the job off.  So that was one team on the top of the Podium.

The open advanced match started with a few nerves from both teams, at one stage Toby managed to drop his racquet while taking a shot at goal, this was followed by some frantic passing of racquets but Ledbury weren’t able to capitalise on this and Area 17 moved into the lead.  Ledbury answered by using some rough play, elbowing their opponents,  wild swings and hits to the head, but the Umpires were having none of it, awarding penalties to Area 17 who made them count and eased a little further into the lead.  Area 17 regained their composure and although the Ledbury team changed positions and tactics; Toby, Ruben and Thomas worked so well together as a team they had full control of the match in the last chukka and the cheers were deafening when the final whistle was blown.   At the end of the prize giving they thought the weekend couldn’t have got any better, when it was announced that this years’  Sportsman Award was also to go to an Area 17 player, Ruben Nield.

What a fantastic experience for all these young players!

Area 17 of the Pony Club with the help of Tyrella Polocrosse Club, will be holding a Polocrosse Rally and Demonstration in the next few weeks, with a chance for all comers to give it a go.   With an aim to increase our numbers for next year with indoor training throughout the winter months.   If you would like to see what it is all about please come along on foot or with your horse or pony.   For more information phone Angela on 07718080244, and keep an eye on the press for dates and venues.