Clyn Du is the base for the local pony club. This year, Verona Pettigrew is secretary of the club and other Clyn Du staff are heavily involved, too. The club's most recent activities include a dog show, a show jumping event, pony club camp and dressage training.
The dog show was organised by Sue who arranged for sponsorship to fund the prizes. There were categories for everything from most beautiful eys to the dog the judge would like to take home!
There was also an obstacle course for the dogs to show off their agility.
By the end of the day all entrants had won something and all dogs went home with rosettes!
On August 15th, the Pony Club Dressage and Combined Training Event took place at Haverfordwest. Bobby entered seasoned competitor Jen and newcomer Sonny, ridden by Rhian, and several of the centre's ponies also made the 50 mile journey west to compete.
The Pony Club team, comprising Sarah Pettigrew, Sarah Bush, Rachel and Emily all have lessons at Clyn Du but their dressage training didn't begin in earnest until a week before the competition. The dressage team members don't all own their own ponies and it was a tribute to their training and compsoure on the day that they carried off first palce in their first ever dressage competition.
They were delighted by the result, but realise it will be a hard act to follow!
Bobby and Rhian rode Jen and Sonny respectively. Both came home with rosettes after particularly pleasing dressage performances and, in Jen's case, clear round jumping. Sonny clipped a pole, otherwise he would have retunred home with a clean sheet.
Pony Club member Sarah Matthews was delighted to have the opportunity to ride Jen for a dressage and jumping test, too. She did remarkably well, jumping clear and gaining praise for her first dressage test.
The Pony Club members had the chance to enter a combined training competition, held at Clyn Du on Sunday 16th October. The members were divided into two goups and the day began with a dressage test and ended with show jumping.
The dressage test was divided into two classes - one for the younger members and a more challenging test for the older girls.
There was a good turn-out and all riders were a credit to the club. Rachel, one of the dressage team members, led by one point after the dressage on her pony, Ranni.
However, the jumping changed things and Sarah Bush, also part of the team, won the competition with a lovely 3 foot jump on Lady, a 14.2hh cob and one of Clyn Du's regulars.
Emma Shiggins, daughter of instructor Sue, came second on Sunday, a super skewball pony she has on loan. She did well to finish second as she has only ridden Sunday for a week or so.
Sarah Pettigrew finished third on Cracker. She performed well in the dressage test and came into her own in the jumping - Cracker's favourite discipline!
Adrain Thomas judged the dressage and was impressed by the overall standard.
Meanwhile, the Pony Club AGM took place at the Gwenllian Hotel on Thursday, October 28th.
The annual Christmas fancy dress rally took place at Clyn Du on Sunday, November 14th. The participating members were divided into two teams, senior and junior.
Ponies were dressed in tinsel and all manner of festive head gear while their riders were transformed into Christmas crackers, Santa Clauses, Santa's helpers and fairies! There were prizes for the best dressed rider, pony and combination.
After the parade they had a 2 hour lesson.
Carnwyllion Pony Club's year began with a slightly increased membership and a good turn-out for the first mounted rally. Members foresook their Sunday morning lie in to be at Clyn Du bright and early to prepare their ponies. It was a cold weekend so there was a lot of mud to remove before real grooming could begin. When the ponies were clean enough, there was plaiting of tails and mane and tacking-up to do.
Finally, the riders have to get themselves ready. The club has a sweatshirt with its own logo which most members purchase but many also buy riding jackets and look very smart.
Points are awarded for various things during the year, beginning with attendance. The way the ponies are turned-out is also judged and most riders gained lots of points.
After the inspection, the members were treated to a lesson. For members with their own ponies this is sometimes the only instruction they receive and so it is a great opportunity for them to hone their riding skills.
The month ended with a visit to Llanelli Entertainment Centre to see a pantomime.
The new millennium has started with a flurry of activity from the Pony Club. Club members had the chance to go ten pin bowling and a gymkhanna got them all having fun on their (or Bobby's) ponies.
