The Blue Cross supports the National Pony Club Championships

11/09/2007

The Blue Cross received an enthusiastic welcome at the recent National Pony Club Championships, as part of a new collaboration between the two organisations to help promote responsible equine ownership.

Six Blue Cross horses and ponies, ridden by grooms from the Burford and Rolleston equine centres, twice presented a ridden display to music in the main arena. This gave the charity a fabulous opportunity to showcase the high standards of rehabilitation and ability of some of the horses and ponies in its care.

The display was followed by a special historical performance,  'Blue Cross through the ages', showing how the charity was founded in 1897 to help the condition of working horses on the streets of London, and how it has evolved to focus on the rescue, rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming work it is well known for today.  It also covered the important role The Blue Cross played in helping horses during the First World War and the developing role of The Blue Cross horse ambulance.

Kath Urwin, Blue Cross equine centre manager at Rolleston, who masterminded the displays, said: "Being ridden in the main ring was a great education for the horses.  It also gave spectators and Pony Club competitors the chance to learn more about The Blue Cross and to see the quality and talent of some of the animals in our care. They all behaved impeccably and we have already had some enthusiastic enquiries about horses that are ready for rehoming." 

The Blue Cross also sponsored The Pony Club's educational 'Horse and Pony Care Competition' which was very well-received and displayed a high standard of knowledge from all the teams that entered. The tests covered a broad range of horse care subjects, including: grooming, tack fitting, shoeing, bandaging, health, feeding and fitness. A challenge shield and sash was awarded to the winners of both the junior and senior teams by Kerstin Alford, director of equine welfare at The Blue Cross.

Kerstin Alford said: "The Blue Cross is delighted to sponsor The Pony Club's Horse and Pony Care Competition, which fits perfectly with our mutual mission to educate future generations about responsible horse ownership.  We also hope that our association with The Pony Club may result in more people coming forward to rehome Blue Cross horses and ponies, many of which are very capable competition animals who are just waiting for the opportunity to shine."

The two charities announced their collaboration earlier this year at The Pony Club conference in Cheltenham. 

ENDS

The Pony Club Championships took place from Sunday 19th to Thursday 23rd August 2007.  Thousands of Pony Club members from around the country travelled to Shelford, Nottinghamshire, to take part in the event.  

The Blue Cross animal charity provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. For more information, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.

For further information about The Pony Club and Horse and Pony Care please visit www.pcuk.org. 

Media contact

Laura Dobson, Senior Press Officer, 020 7932 4065 or laura.dobson@bluecross.org.uk.