Rise in interest in Pony Club tetrathlon
The Pony Club is reporting a rise in tetrathlon — running, shooting, riding and swimming — thanks to the exposure of modern penthathlon (which also includes fencing) at last summer’s Olympics Games.
Many former Pony Club tetrathletes have been successful in the discipline, including Mhairi Spence, who represented Britain in London.
“There seems to be an appetite for disciplines that have traditionally been more niche, such as tetrathlon,” said a Pony Club spokesman.
Though central figures are not available, some branches are reporting a surge in interest.
Jacqui Morgan, district commissioner for the South Pembrokeshire Hunt branch, said they’ve seen a “big interest” in the sport.
“Once a group of them start, more follow and it’s especially popular with boys,” she told H&H.
“We hosted a tethrathlon competition in October that attracted 50 children, and as a result we’re running a winter series in January and February.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“For the younger members, there’s beanbag throwing instead of shooting,” she added.
The Lancaster and District branch has run some pentathlon/tetrathlon development days — with help and support from the governing body, Pentathlon GB — with more planned to introduce children to the sport.
“Niche sports such as tetrathlon are an unparalleled opportunity for young people, especially as Pony Club usually delivers them at minimal cost,” said James Helyer, chairman of tetrathlon.
“I would like to like to think that the Pony Club tetrathlon is promoting a legacy in niche sports for its grass roots members. Some of our recent success are a measure of this — such as Coral Kennerley, who who has now been selected by Wales for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.