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West Waterford Hunt Branch | ||
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West Waterford Hunt Branch of the Irish Pony Club History
Mrs Alison Trigg, Tourtane House, Lismore, and Capt. Tom Morgan, Monatrim, Lismore formed a branch of the Irish Pony Club in West Waterford, in 1969. It was formed under the umbrella of West Waterford Hunt. The first District Commissioner was Capt. Tom Morgan, while Mrs Alison Trigg was Secretary and Treasurer combined. Other DCs through the years were Mrs Mary Roche Perks, Monatrea, Mrs Alison Trigg, Tourtane, Lismore, and the late Mrs Phyllis Mitchell Fortwilliam, Lismore. In the early years Mrs Mitchell was President.
Membership in the early 1970s consisted mainly of boys; the first girl members were Laura Roch-Perks now Griffiths, Monatrea Youghal and Christine Ledingham, Ticknock, Clashmore. The Ledingham family were very active members. John Ledingham went from his pony club days to join the Irish Army Equation School; here he excelled in Show jumping. He took part in numerous international and national competitions including Nation Cups, his more recent horse being Kilbaha.
In the earlier years club rallies were held mainly during the summer months, summer camp was mainly held at Roch- Perks’ farm, Monatrea, Youghal. The club flourished for approximately 16 years. Then membership dropped over the next couple of years to an all time low. There was no club for approximately 2 years in the late 1980s.
In 1989 West Waterford Pony Club was reformed by the late Mrs Jane Magner (Wingfield), Monatrim, Lismore, and Mrs Alison Trigg, Tourtane, Lismore. The first meeting was held in Clashmore. Mrs Alison Trigg was elected DC, followed through the years by Mrs Julia Keane, Cappoquin, Christine Ledingham, Ticknock, Clashmore, Mrs Primrose Sands, Flowerhill, Ballyduff, Mrs Joan Vaughan, Ballyglassin, Killeagh, Mrs Joan Dahill, Glencairn, Lismore, Mrs Marie Hennessy, Ballinascarta, Midleton, and Mr Maurice Smiddy, the present DC.
Membership in the early years rose to 60, but by the year 98/99 dropped to approximately 6. The then committee took action and canvassing for new members began. Today we have 85 active members and a number of people on the waiting list. Summer camp is held in Fortwilliam Estate, Glencairn, kindly lent to us by its present owner Mr Ian Agnew. Rallies are held from early spring to late September. The members take part in Dressage, Show jumping, Cross Country, and Games.
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Objectives
The West Waterford Hunt Branch of the Irish Pony Club is committed to the objectives of the Irish Pony Club, to encourage young people to ride and to learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with horses and riding, to promote the highest ideals of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty, and to safeguard the well-being of its members. Every individual in our club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for their rights, safety and welfare, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Irish Pony Club.
Our club has expanded rapidly in recent years, and our objective also is to create an environment where competitive children can be challenged by inter-club and national competition, and where non-competitive children can ride safely and enjoy their level of sport in company with friends. We believe in education, and have arranged several bus trips to various locations such as Coolmore Stud, the European Eventing Championships, the Army Equitation School, and RACE in Kildare. Our members are also lucky to have the Ballyrafter Equestrian Centre on their doorstep, and many of our members avail of this facility to showjump at every level. Our members also take part in local hunts and charity rides – any outside experiences enhance their enjoyment of Pony Club!
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