Pony Club UK Uncovers Next Equestrian Artistic Talent
The Pony Club Championships, held at Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire from 15th to 18th August, once again played host to the finals of The Pony Club Art Competition; a joint venture between The Pony Club and The Society of Equestrian Artists (SEA), open to all Pony Club Members and aimed at finding the next generation of talented equestrian artists.
In The Pony Club’s 85th Anniversary year, entrants were asked to base their artwork on the theme of “The Pony Club Then, Now and in the Future” – depicting a past memory, what they love about The Pony Club today or what they envisage the organisation will be in years to come.
The competition once again proved hugely popular, with near 100 entries submitted, and themes that included Members’ favourite Pony Club Camp, their first experience of competing and the close relationship between a horse and rider.
At the initial judging, carried out by SEA representatives, the exceptional quality of entries made the judges’ task a very difficult one, but an eventual shortlist of thirty paintings was produced to go forward to the second stage judging with ten in each of the age categories.
The second stage of judging saw The Pony Club’s Area Representatives drawing on their extensive Pony Club knowledge to vote on their favourite paintings in each category, producing 15 finalists. These artists all had the opportunity to have their work showcased at The Pony Club Championships for the final judging, undertaken by Mary Tuckett, Chairman of The Pony Club, and Jennifer Bell and Michelle McCullagh from the SEA.
After much deliberation, Myfanwy Powell from the Tanatside Hunt Branch was chosen as the Reserve Champion, but it was Verity Child from the South Devon Hunt (West) Branch who was crowned the overall Champion with a painting inspired by ‘Pony Club as a precious time, laughing with friends and the love of ponies’.
Both Verity and Myfanwy will now have the unique opportunity to have their artwork showcased at the SEA’s “The Horse in Art 2014” exhibition at The Mall Galleries in London, taking place on 2nd September, where Verity will also be presented with a trophy by the SEA.
“I wasn’t expecting to win the competition when I entered and it was incredible just to win my age category”, commented Verity, adding “the amazing quality of all the artwork at the finals makes this award even more special.”
Debbie Burt, Chairwoman and Press Officer of the SEA, commented that “The Society of Equestrian Artists is delighted to continue our commitment to encouraging young equestrian artists through this award. We hope that by exhibiting the work of the winner Verity Child, and the runner-up, Myfanwy Powell, at our annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, it will inspire them to further their studies and perhaps become Full Members in the future.”
Following the continued success of the competition, plans will soon be made for next year’s event, hopefully uncovering yet more young equestrian artistic talent of the future!
