Chipping and Lavant House Pony Club Have All The Answers
The brightest Pony Club minds in the country assembled at Warwickshire College recently for the annual NFU Mutual National Quiz Finals, with teams from Pony Club *Branches and **Centres throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland attending, after securing their place at the finals by winning their Area competition.
The teams were tested on various aspects of equestrian and non-equestrian topics across the following eight rounds:
Round 1 – The Pony Club
Round 2 – The Stable Yard and Tack Room
Round 3 – Mountains, Rivers and Lakes
Round 4 – Missing Words
Round 5 – Practical Round
Round 6 – Grooming, Clipping and Trimming
Round 7 – Picture Round
Round 8 – War Horses in History
After being victorious for the past two years, Hampshire Hunt were favourites to repeat their success in the Branch competition, but it was the Chipping Branch who held the lead at the halfway stage; with just four points separating the top four teams, however, there was still all to play for. In the Centre competition there was a clear leader early on, with defending champions Lavant House Stables forging a ten point lead over their closest rivals from Talygarn Equestrian Centre.
The afternoon session saw teams split up for the individual practical rounds, and despite strong competition from the Llangeinor Hunt and Cheshire Hunt North Branches, the Chipping Branch managed to hold onto their lead and seal the title in the Branch competition. The Chipping Branch team of Victoria Hargreaves (17), Jack Mellin (14), Vanessa Lace (11) and Charlotte Gibb (11), finished on a final score of 244 to give them a 9.5 advantage over Llangeinor Hunt in 2nd place.
With such a commanding lead in the first half, the Lavant House team of Helena Bissex (20), Livvy Linares (15), Phoebe Goodale (13), and Lydia McKimm (10) could have relaxed, but they were determined not to let their lead slip and finished on an impressive 241 points, well ahead of Talygarn Equestrian Centre in 2nd place (226 points) and Friars Hill Stables in 3rd (208.5 points).
“It was very special returning to the Quiz Final with Livvy, Phoebe and Lydia to defend our title as National Quiz Centre champions” commented Lavant House team member Helena Bissex, “we have also had such a great time over the last few months preparing for the National Quiz and spending time together.”
The mascot competition also proved as popular as ever, with the theme this year being “the best homemade display or collage representing the Branch/Centre”. After a difficult judging process, Pennant Park Riding Centre were chosen as the winners, with the Vale of Taf Branch claiming 2nd place.
“Blanche Surman, Affinity Marketing Executive from NFU Mutual, commented “the day was thoroughly enjoyable, well done to the winners and all those that qualified to take part in the final!”
