Happy 90th birthday! How the Pony Club celebrated with a huge global event
The Pony Club marked its 90th birthday with a global celebration on 3 August, which was described as the “biggest equestrian event ever staged”.
The impressive occasion included current and former members, coaches, officials and volunteers all coming together on the same day across the world.
The celebrations varied from a parade at Gatcombe Horse Trials and tea parties to a huge beach ride and musical rides.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose wife Madeleine is president of the Pony Club, rewrote a piece of his music — a new version of Paginini Variations — to be used as an anthem for the 90th birthday festivities.
The event kicked off at 12noon with Pony Club branches in New Zealand before travelling across the globe and finishing on the west coast of America at 12noon the following day.
Branches in the UK who took part included the Fitzwilliam Hunt, who did a musical ride at their mini camp. A total of 47 children, aged from four to 11, had a fun-filled three days at camp culminating in the big musical ride.
Members of the Bedale & West of Yore also performed a specially choreographed routine on horseback (pictured below), having gathered together at Thorpe Perrow estate in Bedale, North Yorkshire.
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The Southdown East branch celebrated with a reunion picnic during senior camp at Plumpton Racecourse.
Southdown Hunt East Pony Club celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Pony Club with a reunion picnic as part of their Senior Camp at Plumpton Racecourse #PonyClubWorldRide @ThePonyClub #PC90 pic.twitter.com/TyQ3Nbv7t4Southdown Hunt East Pony Club celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Pony Club with a reunion picnic as part of their Senior Camp at Plumpton Racecourse #PonyClubWorldRide @ThePonyClub #PC90 pic.twitter.com/TyQ3Nbv7t4— Southdown East PC (@SouthdownEast) August 4, 2019— Southdown East PC (@SouthdownEast) August 4, 2019
We love this “number 90” creation, which looks remarkable from the air, by the Essex Hunt North branch.
Essex Hunt North Pony Club celebrate 90 years of the Pony Club yesterday. #PonyClubWorldRide @ThePonyClub @YourHorse @HorseandRiderUK @horseandhound @HorseAndCountry @BBCEssex @essexlive @HeartEssex @HeartAngliaNews pic.twitter.com/Tj4yygFgRnEssex Hunt North Pony Club celebrate 90 years of the Pony Club yesterday. #PonyClubWorldRide @ThePonyClub @YourHorse @HorseandRiderUK @horseandhound @HorseAndCountry @BBCEssex @essexlive @HeartEssex @HeartAngliaNews pic.twitter.com/Tj4yygFgRn— Essex Hunt North PC (@EssexNorthPC) August 4, 2019— Essex Hunt North PC (@EssexNorthPC) August 4, 2019
Check out the Tedworth branch enjoying a “barn” dance as part of the celebrations.
Tedworth @ThePonyClub 90th anniversary celebrations underway with a Barn (well, Village Hall) Dance. Early days – they’ll get the hang of it! #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/OTIvyWaDKETedworth @ThePonyClub 90th anniversary celebrations underway with a Barn (well, Village Hall) Dance. Early days – they’ll get the hang of it! #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/OTIvyWaDKE— Harris_Hawk (@azure111s) August 3, 2019— Harris_Hawk (@azure111s) August 3, 2019
Or how about this Billy Elliot-themed musical ride…
@ThePonyClub Billy Elliot themed musical ride for #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/8GG8ljEoWF@ThePonyClub Billy Elliot themed musical ride for #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/8GG8ljEoWF— Sarah (@lewins_sarah) August 3, 2019— Sarah (@lewins_sarah) August 3, 2019
Three former Hursley branch DCs cut the 90th birthday cake — yum!
@ThePonyClub 3 former Hursley DCs cutting the 90th cake #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/XTbA5zYE05@ThePonyClub 3 former Hursley DCs cutting the 90th cake #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/XTbA5zYE05— evelyn lallo (@elallo) August 4, 2019— evelyn lallo (@elallo) August 4, 2019
The Pony Club birthday party even made it to the iconic venue of Hickstead — area 11 celebrations took place in the famous main arena.
@ThePonyClub Area 11 90th celebrations in the main ring at @HicksteadEvents #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/QGaS69ANBT@ThePonyClub Area 11 90th celebrations in the main ring at @HicksteadEvents #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/QGaS69ANBT— Martin Wright (@martinw44475225) August 5, 2019— Martin Wright (@martinw44475225) August 5, 2019
There were celebrations as far as Colorado in the USA, with a spectacular trail ride.
Happy 90th Anniversary to @ThePonyClub from Rhian and Mr Cool. We are celebrating on a great trail ride in the Rockies, Vista Verde, Steamboat Springs, Colorado USA #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/fNi44Nd8TfHappy 90th Anniversary to @ThePonyClub from Rhian and Mr Cool. We are celebrating on a great trail ride in the Rockies, Vista Verde, Steamboat Springs, Colorado USA #PonyClubWorldRide pic.twitter.com/fNi44Nd8Tf— Rhian Gibson (@RhianGibsonGym) August 3, 2019— Rhian Gibson (@RhianGibsonGym) August 3, 2019
The Pony Club’s 90th birthday even caught the eye of Tatler Magazine…
In celebration of The Pony Club at 90 https://t.co/ILdKchhYHq pic.twitter.com/JJTiZ0OygjIn celebration of The Pony Club at 90 https://t.co/ILdKchhYHq pic.twitter.com/JJTiZ0Oygj— Tatler (@Tatlermagazine) June 14, 2019— Tatler (@Tatlermagazine) June 14, 2019
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