The Pony Club Way – From Iveagh Playpen to World Stage
Editorial Committee of the Iveagh Pony Club book and film.
Friday 7th February 2014 saw the culmination of many, many months of hard work and determination pay dividends. It was a night for the glitz and glamour of the red carpet as the Iveagh Branch of the Pony Club premiered their film ‘The Pony Club Way – From Iveagh Playpen to World Stage’. A beautifully produced book, ‘The Pony Club Way – 50 Years of The Iveagh Branch of the Pony Club, was also launched at this event. The evening was attended by well in advance of 300 people at The Seagoe Hotel, who enjoyed a Champagne reception, film premier, book launch, supper and dancing.
(L – R) Lady Perita Blackwood, Vanne Campbell (District Commissioner), Liz Lowry (Area 17 Representative)
The book takes the reader from the beginnings of the Iveagh Branch of The Pony through to its success both in competitive riding and at the grass roots level for those who simply want to enjoy their pony in a more knowledgeable fashion by exploring key aspects of how the Iveagh pony club, a voluntary organisation, is run and maintained. It is packed with photographs and provides a comprehensive history of the branch.
Organiser of the launch of the Iveagh PC book and film (L – R) Aine Lavery, Sharon Lyle-Hall, Shirley McCombe, Vanne Campbell, Liz Lowry, Dr Sally Walmsely.
The film considers the 50 year history of the Iveagh pony club from a different perspective focussing on individual equine disciplines and showing how these start in the playpen with very young children and go via the activities of the Iveagh Branch of The Pony to the world stage. The book and film are collaborative pieces of work linking past members to current members and used the skills of an ethnographer and filmmaker (a past member) to bring all together in two final formats.
Former pony club member and international event rider Steven Smith and his wife Jenny.
The entire project was made possible by the very generous funding of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project was lead by Dr Sally Walmsley with the very active participation of an editorial board made up of current Branch members, aged from 10-24 years who learned interviewing skills with the help of Reminiscence Network Northern Ireland. Intergenerational Workshops were held over the summer of 2013, gathering memories, photographs and anecdotes from past parents, members and friends of the branch, this formed the basis for the film and book.
Editorial Committee of the Iveagh Pony Club book and film.
The conclusion of the project will see the editorial board present the project at The Annual Pony Club Conference which is to be held at Epsom in March, followed by a series of road shows around various Pony Club events this summer.
Sincere thanks to The Heritage Lottery Fund, Reminiscence Network Northern Ireland, Dr Sally Walmsley, The Editorial Board and all the parents, members and friends of the branch who contributed to the book and the project in any way.
Books and DVD’s can be obtained by contacting any of the following:
Áine Lavery 07859 919795
Sally Walmsley 07084 448496
Vanne Campbell 07703 594759
Shirley McCombe 07825 141171
Or any Iveagh committee member
