Pony club annual awards are the real McCoy
Sir Anthony drops in to West Berkshire branch
LEGENDARY jockey Sir AP McCoy presented awards to young riders in West Berkshire last week.
Sir Anthony dropped into the AGM of the Craven Hunt Pony Club branch, near Newbury, to present the annual awards to members.
He told members of his childhood exploits on his own pony as well as giving tips on how to succeed as a rider.
“It took me a long time to become successful, so keep working at it,” he said. “Study the best riders and make sure you do what they do. Don’t waste time watching the ones that come second.”
The 50 young riders from the branch were enthralled to meet their hero, who presented them with awards ranging from the Happy as Larry Cup for best pony and rider combination, which went to Celia Chancellor, aged 11.
The Balding Cup for the most outstanding member, was presently jointly to Emily Pope, aged 20, and Megan Floyd, 22.
In 2015 the pair passed their AH test, which forms part of the most senior award made nationally by the Pony Club.
The Craven Hunt pony club, based in West Berkshire, offers young people the chance to learn to look after their ponies properly, as well as how to learn to ride and compete against other branches.
Last year, Craven members competed at the Pony Club National Championships in the disciplines of showjumping and eventing, and sent a team to the National Showjumping Championships at Hickstead.