Golden jubilee for pony club

Saddleworth Pony Club members, ready to ride.

PONY-MAD youngsters tackled a nine-mile hack around the villages of Saddleworth to celebrate 50 golden years of history.

Saddleworth Pony Club celebrated its half century anniversary with a sponsored ride to raise funds for the club.

Sixteen members and their mounts lined up at Friezland arena, Greenfield, to take on the challenge over the Easter weekend.

The ride was organised by Alison Bridge, who is an active pony club mum, and was a member of the club herself as a child.

Four-year-old Sophia McDaid took part, and her mother, Elaine, said: “It was a perfect day, the weather held out, and Sophia had a great time.”

Fellow rider Sally Bradley added: “It was really fun and I had a great time with all my friends and all the ponies enjoyed it.”

The event raised £500 towards new equipment, and all participants received a rosette donated by Steve Bradley from The Business Supply Co, and refreshments partly donated by the Village Manor Bakery.

The club was set up in 1960 by local horse enthusiasts Edith Boon, Barbara Haigh and a Mr Holden.

The first working rally was held at Larkhill, and the pony club has had several homes over the last 50 years.

It now meets on the pony club field on Platting Road, Scouthead, on the first Tuesday of every month.

It has 76 members aged between four and 21.

To find out more on becoming a member, contact Tracy on 07703 317012 or visit www.pcuk.org/Branch-Websites/saddleworth/Saddleworth-District-Branch.html