Fermanagh Harriers Branch of the Pony Club held their annual camp at Necarne from Monday 30th June to Friday 4th June. Seventeen members and their ponies attended, three of whom attended on a daily basis. Instruction was provided by Andrew Short, Nessa Toher, Shelly Annan and Jo Balcome.
All members learned a lot through the week, both in relation to their riding skills and horse knowledge and care, through the two riding and one stable management sessions per day, and the daily turnout inspection.
Evening activities included art and pot making, a table quiz, a trip to the cinema and a barbeque, which parents also attended.
Holding the reins throughout the week were district commissioner Lynda Hutton, and secretary Heather McKenzie, who put considerable time and effort into ensuring an enjoyable camp for everyone.
On Friday, the final day, some members took tests, and in the afternoon, a combined training competition was held for all campers. After the tidying up session, prizegiving was held, and the results are as follows:
MINI ACHIEVEMENT BADGES
Points of the Pony; Points of Tack – Sam Balcome, Katie Gillespie, Katie Conlon.
Achievement Badges – Riding and Road Safety; Handling and Grooming – Samantha Trimble, Kerry McTeggert, Lydia McKenzie, Shannon Balfour, Rebecca McClean, Shauna McCaffrey, Ruth McClean, Sarah-Jane Johnston, Niamh Corry. Points of the Pony – Sarah Jane Johnston. Mucking Out – Kerry McTeggert, Samantha Trimble, Rebecca McClean.
Tests – E Test - Sam Balcome, Katie Gillespie, Katie Conlon.
D Test – Sarah Jane Johnston
Silver 1 Standard – Ruth McClean
D+ Test – Lydia McKenzie
Gold 3 Standard - Shauna McCaffrey, Shannon Balfour
Gold 2 Standard – Niamh Corry, Samantha Trimble, Rebecca McClean, Kerry McTeggert
Katie Finlay was also awarded her Riding and Road Safety Achievement Badge, and was therefore received her C Test Certificate, which she passed the previous year.
TURNOUT COMPETITION
Andrew's Ride – 1st (Rossfad Cup) Alexa Grudgings, 2nd Laura Hutton, 3rd Katie McKenzie
Nessa's Ride – 1st (Cup) Samantha Trimble, 2nd Kerry McTeggert, 3rd Lydia McKenzie
Shelly/Jo's Ride – 1st (Brown Family Shield) Sam Balcome, 2nd Katie Gillespie, 3rd Niamh Corry
DRESSAGE COMPETITION
Maxi Plus – 1st Laura Hutton, 2nd Alexa Grudgings, 3rd Amy Harkness
Maxi – 1st Kerry McTeggert, 2nd Rebecca McClean, 3rd Samantha Trimble
Midi – 1st Shauna McCaffrey, 2nd Ruth McClean, 3rd Lydia McKenzie
Mini – 1st Sam Balcome, 2nd Katie Conlon, 3rd Katie Gillespie
COMBINED TRAINING COMPETITION
1st Patrol – Amy Harkness, Shannon Balfour, Samantha Trimble, Rebecca McClean, Katie Conlon, Shauna McCaffrey
2nd Patrol – Laura Hutton, Alexa Grudgings, Sam Balcome, Niamh Corry, Lydia McKenzie
3rd Patrol – Katie McKenzie, Katie Finlay, Katie Gillespie, Ruth McClean, Sarah Jane Johnston, Kerry McTeggert.
The Carmel McMahon Cup for best 14 year old and over in camp was awarded to Laura Hutton. The Modern Motors Cup for the best under 14 year old in camp was won by Niamh Corry.
The Noddy Cup for the most improved in camp was awarded to Kerry McTeggert.
The final silverware which was distributed was to the most improved in each ride. These cups were awarded as follows:- Granda Rolston Cup – Katie Gillespie, Shell Cup – Sarah Jane Johnston, Killyhevlin Cup – Rebecca McClean, Perpetual Challenge cup – Katie McKenzie.
Special Rosettes were also awarded to mark special achievements.
Most Helpful Camper – Katie Gillespie
Most Improved Plaiter – Rebecca McClean
Best Mucker Outer – Lydia McKenzie
Best Behaved Pony – Rosie Conlon
Most Improved Tack Cleaner – Sam Balcome
Best Singing Rider – Ruth McClean
Pony Club members are now getting ready for area competitions, when they will compete against other clubs in NI over the summer. They are hopeful that all their hard work over the year, and at camp, will come to fruition, and they will bring prizes back to the Fermanagh Branch.
Members are also starting to count down the days to next year's camp!! Only 358 to go!!
