The Wicklow Pony Club is formally registered as The Wicklow Hunt Branch of the Irish Pony Club Organisation, which comprises over 63 individual Pony Clubs nationwide with 4,200 active members.

Wicklow Pony Club was founded in 1970 and since its inception has based itself in Glenealy, Co.Wicklow, from the Polo Fields on the lands of the O'Reilly - Hyland Family whom were one of the original founding member families.

Today the Club stands as one of the most active and biggest in the Country with over 150 active members ranging from the age of 5 up to 23 years.

The Pony Club year commences each January with a range of activity over the Christmas Holidays including Children's Hunts and Show Jumping Rallies. Around Easter come the Hunter Trials followed by a host of activity from June onwards including Friday night rallies for all members, Show Jumping Training, Mounted Games and our annual one week long Camp held every July in Glenealy. The more experienced members travel to one-day events and other disciplines throughout the Summer. (For a full explanation of all the disciplines on offer at the Club return to the Home Page on this site and click on the appropriate headings)

The Club is run by a dedicated Committee including personnel experienced in all disciplines headed up by our District Commissioner, Ms Anne-Claire Dunne, whom reports and liases with the parent body, The Irish Pony Club, and our Secretary, Mr Peter Winckworth.

The Wicklow Pony Club adheres to all the guidelines agreed and implemented by the Irish Pony Club and is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its members.

As part of a worldwide organisation, founded over seventy five years ago, The Wicklow Pony Club in turn encourages young people to ride and to learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with horses and riding and provides instruction in riding and horsemanship thus instilling in its members all the knowledge for the proper care of their animals.

The Club also promotes the highest ideals of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty, thereby cultivating strength of character and self-discipline.
 

Aims of Wicklow Pony Club

Wicklow Pony Club encourages young people to ride and to enjoy all sports connected with horses and riding. It also gives instruction, at all levels, in riding and looking after a pony. When members represent Wicklow Pony Club in competition, they learn about sportsmanship, loyalty and self-discipline while having lots of fun!

Policy Statement

Wicklow Pony Club is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its members. Each individual is expected to show respect and understanding for their rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Pony club and the guidelines contained in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport.

The Irish Pony Club Code of Conduct available from our secretary, Mr Peter Winckworth, incorporates the concept of friendship, respect for others and always participating within the spirit. It is also concerned with the elimination of cheating, gamesmanship, doping, violence (both physical and verbal), exploitation, unequal opportunities, excessive commercialisation and corruption.

Membership

Anyone who is under 21 years of age may join Wicklow Pony Club. Boys and Girls under the age of 17 are known as Ordinary Members. Associate members are those over 17 years. Membership ends on reaching the age of 21.

Steps through the Pony Club.

1. 8 - 11 years (D Test)
   Off the lead rein and ride away.
    
2. 10 years (D+ Test)
   Fun, Games, Canter and a little jump.
    
3. 11 - 14 years (C Test)
   Combined training, Hunting, Mounted Games, Hunter Trials, Robbie Bailey Show Jumping, Junior Dressage, Road Safety, Junior Horse Trials and Junior Tetrathlon
    
4. 14 - 16 years (C+ Test)
   A little more serious, Foreign visits, International Tetrathlon, Learn more about ponies and turn on the Forehand.
    
5. 16 - 18 years (B Test)
   Responsibility, Demi pirouette, Golden Saddle, Senior Competitions, ride in a double bridal, Related employment, Starting lateral work, Riding various horses, Care for other horses and represent Wicklow Pony Club abroad.
    
6. 17 years or over (H Test)
   On your way to A Test, Know your horse inside out, Take charge of a yard, More responsibility, very employable and on your way to stud work.
    
7. Up to 23 years (A Test)
   A very fine horse person. Single minded and talented and must have passed all tests before and thus experienced and will have achieved the highest accolade. Hard to achieve and once got very employable.

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