Pony Club Stalwart Honoured at Torch Trophy Trust Award’s
Dawn Wofford, Pony Club stalwart, Olympian, former Pony Club Chairman and current Training Committee Member, was honoured by the Torch Trophy Trust, a charity that rewards, recognises and supports volunteers in sport and recreation, at their 52nd awards ceremony on Tuesday 24th February 2015, presented by HRH The Countess of Wessex.
A former member of the Albrighton Woodland Branch of The Pony Club in her youth and a member of the 1960 Olympic British Show Jumping team, Dawn has held a multitude of roles in The Pony Club, proving herself an incredibly valuable attribute for half a century; during which time she has come to epitomize the purpose for which The Pony Club was created.
Dawn, from Studley in Warwickshire, became Chairman of The Pony Club between 1991 and 1997, and it was under her Chairmanship that The Pony Club became independent of The British Horse Society and a charity in its own right. In 1997 she also coordinated the re-writing of The Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship, widely considered the ultimate text book for the riding and care of equines.
At grassroots level Dawn has also worked tirelessly, and still runs a Mini Camp at her home every summer for the under 9’s, and it is from these camps that the next generation get their first taste of ‘kicking on and having fun’.
Dawn is still a member of The Pony Club Training Committee, and until 2014 was the coordinator for the prestigious Pony Club ‘A’ Test, making sure that nervous candidates were always welcomed and reassured on one of the biggest days of their Pony Club careers.
“Dawn has a vast knowledge of riding and caring for horses and ponies, which she is always willing to share.” comments Cherry Michell, former Chairman of The Pony Club. “She is one of those very rare people who can inspire people of all ages and The Pony Club is privileged to call her one of their own!”
The Torch Trophy Trust awards are unique in celebrating the often thankless and sometimes overlooked work of volunteers, with the prestigious ceremony designed to encourage, reward and recognise the three million people in the UK who give up their free time to volunteer in sport, in their local communities, every year – without whom sport simply wouldn’t be able to function.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Torch Trophy Trust, Sir Bobby Charlton said: “We have honoured these volunteers at the Torch Trophy Trust Awards because of their incredible contribution to our great sporting nation. These volunteers are experts in their own field and we are pleased to bring attention to their tireless work. Volunteering is more often than not a thankless task but we must remember that without volunteers’ grassroots sport simply wouldn’t be able to function. Giving their time means more than turning up on a Sunday morning – as praiseworthy and important as that too is.”
Dawn was nominated for the award by the British Equestrian Federation and her award was collected by her daughter, Valerie Wofford, on her behalf at the event which was held at the Army and Navy Club, London.
