Ballawhetstone Stables is celebrating after a highly successful first 12 months as a Pony Club-affiliated centre.
The family-run stables, located in Ballabeg, set up as a Pony Club centre in June last year and is now the largest centre in the North West (or Region 4 as it is known within Pony Club circles).
Originally aiming for just 10 registered members when it launched, Ballawhetstone’s Pony Club now has more than 40 active members who attend weekly or fortnightly.
‘We established ourselves as a Pony Club centre with the aim of offering more than just riding lessons,’ said Proprietor Stella Hampton. ‘The Pony Club brand is well respected and allows our clients to experience the joy of owning a pony without the normal expenses and time commitment associated with owning a horse.'
Each Pony Club session, held during term time on Monday and Wednesday evenings, include a 45-minute group riding lesson followed by a 45-minute session with the Centre Activities Coordinator within the classroom and stables. The remaining time is spent around the horses either grooming, mucking out or just enjoying being within a working yard environment.
Zoe Hampton, Centre Activities Coordinator, said: ‘We pride ourselves in ensuring variety in the activities every week. These can include lessons in how to properly tack and bandage a horse for a polo lesson, to practicing Pony Club games, quizzes and feed preparation. However, no matter how enjoyable our activities are, it is spending time with the horses and ponies the children love best.’
Being a member of Ballawhetstone Pony Club is more than just weekly meetings. This year, six members will be joining the Isle of Man Pony Club branch at a week-long residential Pony Club Camp, each taking with them a Ballawhetstone pony which they will look after as their own.
Ballawhetstone has also entered Pony Club teams into the Agricultural Shows.
‘We want to ensure our members get as many opportunities to enjoy time with the horses as possible,’ Stella explained. ‘This means taking them to competitions, ride outs along the beaches, and allowing them to become part of our Ballawhetstone family.
‘Each child that attends Ballawhetstone is encouraged to reach their riding potential. Our overarching aim is to allow the children to create life-long memories and a love for equestrian activities. For example, during the school holidays we run “Own a Pony Days”, where children spend the whole day with us – we muck out, tack up, groom, ride, have craft activities and play games.’
Ballawhetstone Stables has been operating as a Riding School since 2002, and also offers lessons for adults.
For further information, contact Stella Hampton on 472580 or follow on Facebook – www.facebook.com/BallawhetstoneStables.
Researching your Manx family history can be a very interesting and rewarding hobby. Trace your roots in the Isle of Man with our helpful of guide.
