The Isle of Man branch of the Pony Club held its latest prize presentation at Peel Golf Club recently.

In a near-packed room of around 70 people, the attendees enjoyed a light buffet and participated in a quiz. Cheryl Curphey, who compèred for the evening, reflected on the past calendar year.

The previous 12 months certainly had its challenges with Covid and the weather, but phase two is now in place with more fences planned at the Ballacorey cross-country course which was opened last year for competition.

It also saw lots of younger members competing and the Pony Club is planning to set out a mini-course this year to encourage the younger riders.

Rallies were held with visiting UK trainers along with numerous events taking place, including cross-country clear rounds which proved very popular, while many members took part in the Manx Horse Council championships.

In September, there was a Yas Ingham evening held at the Sefton Hotel which proved very successful when Yas held a meet-and-greet with some of the younger members.

There were also successes off-island. Blae Richardson won her area competition and also attended a tetrathlete training camp in Bath with the opportunity to represent the home nation team in August if selected. Somerford proved to be very successful, as Lola-Bea Bryce won Area 4 overall in the 100cm class.

In the Isle of Man Pony Club tests, Blae Richardson, Amelia Easthope and Lucy Parsons all passed the ’B’ Horse Care test while Lindsay Collister did likewise in ’C+’.

These tests required a visiting examiner with the help of a local official. Unfortunately with the Covid infection rate being high, the external examiner had to do so virtually with help from locally-based Cheryl Curphey.

This required a high level of technology which was supplied by Jo Richardson, Rachel Turner-Drewry and Vicky Collister, so many thanks go to them for their invaluable help.

Jackie McCubbon, the Pony Club president presented the following awards:

Calvert-Fisher for Attendance - Evie Gracie Pringle-Preston; Blaize Trophy for Tack & Turnout - Ruby Qualtrough; Ramsey Crookall Trophy for Senior Tack and Turnout - Kenzi Steele; Boodle & Dunthorn Trophy for Dressage - Emma Parsons; Carlton Blue Boy Trophy for Most Improved seven-and-under - Molly Huxham, Hattie Pepper, Amelia Lace, Annabel & Breesha Byers (PC choose a group of riders that have ridden up through and have progressed massively); Stuart Angus Trophy Most Improved nine-and-under - Barnaby Phythian;

Tommy Merrill for Most Improved 10-11 year old - Jemima Mylchrees; E. N. Christian Most Improved 12-13 year old - Gypsy-Mae Quirk; Farrants Froy Most Improved 14-15 year old - Caitlin Hughe; Palace Trophy Most Improved 16-18 year old - Milly Duncan; Associates’ Trophy - Chloe Chadwick; Gary Parker Most Improved Boy - George Hotchkiss; Country Music Award for Best Games Pony - Jacko and Lucy Parsons; Melody Trophy for Best All Round Pony Club Pony - Conrhenny Alice Springs and Sienna Curphey; Michael Trophy for Most Improved Horse - Gaulstone Delcano and Kenzie Steele; Mike Brackett for Most Improved Pony - Hocus Pocus and Francesca Loader; Jean Burns Trophy - Elizabeth Perkins; Cheryl Curphey Trophy for Achievement (eventing) - Lola-Bea Bryce; Marmite Trophy (showjumping) - Isla Caine and Dixie; Carrington Pony for Manx Bred - Emily Corrin and Waltzing Matilda; Jo McCubbon Trophy for Good All Round PC members - Emma and Lucy Parsons; Blue Moon Trophy for Most Promising Tetrathlete - Sophie Bateson; Jollife Trophy for Best Tetrathlete - Blae Richardson; Jean Burns Memory Memorial Rose Bowl - Nina Corrin.

Cheryl rounded off the evening by announcing forthcoming events and thanking everyone who attended.

PAUL HATTON and

AMY ROTHWELL