The Pony Club NFU Mutual National Quiz 2013
The Pony Club National Quiz Championship, generously sponsored by NFU Mutual, was held at Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell, on April 7th 2013 and 
welcomed over 100 Pony Club Members, in teams of four, from 20 Branches and 10 Centres across the country; including Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
The 30 teams each claimed their golden ticket to the National Quiz final, after competing in Area qualifiers throughout the winter months.
As the initial rounds got underway it was clear that the standard of knowledge from all quiz teams was once again extremely high. At the halfway point Hampshire Hunt were in the lead for the Branches, closely followed by the Chipping and Vale of Taf who were equal with 97 points, but the Hampshire Hunt forged ahead to emerge the overall winners on a total of 285 points; 14.5 points ahead of their nearest rivals Chipping!
The successful Hampshire Hunt team was a family affair comprising Catherine (10) and Alexandra Van Randwyck (18) with Helena (12) and Jennifer Bonwitt (15), and the win meant a second year in a row success for the Branch.
The points margin was not so clear in the Centre competition which was neck and neck, but Lavant House Stables just managed to push ahead to finish the day victorious on a score of 263,a mere 1.5 points ahead of their nearest rivals Talygarn Equestrian Centre. The winning *Lavant House teams were Helena Bissex (19), Olivia Linares (14), Phoebe Goodale (12) and also Lydia McKimm (9), who returned from holiday especially to take part in the National Quiz final! “Helena, Livvy, Phoebe and Lydia were so pleased to have finally won the quiz, as Lavant House have been trying for four years!” commented Diane from Lavant House Stables, “For our team, it is not just about the quiz and learning element, but also the great fun we have in participating”.
The ever popular mascot competition also had some real works of art on display, with Four Winds Equestrian Centre and their handmade horses depicting the North, South, East and West winning the best mascot prize, closely followed by the Cumberland Foxhounds with their lovely home knitted fox.
Hannah Clack, secretary for the NFU Mutual National Quiz commented that “very special thanks must go to NFU Mutual for sponsoring the National Quiz and providing the rosettes, grooming kits, sashes and salvers that mean so much to our winners; the pot of jelly beans that each competitor received was also very welcome!”
Further information and full results for The Pony Club NFU Mutual Quiz Championship can be found on the website at www.pcuk.org
This year’s quiz final consisted of eight rounds on the following topics:
- Round 1 - The Pony Club
- Round 2 - Horse & Pony Care to include Fitness and Feeding
- Round 3 - Countryside
- Round 4 - Equestrian Olympics & Paralympic Medallists 2012
- Round 5 - Practical Round (Individual)
- Round 6 - Bits, Boots and Bandages (Pairs)
- Round 7 - PonyPrep Stables Alphabet (clues will be given relating to the letters)
- Round 8 - Picture Round.
