Galloway Branch of the Pony Club held their annual summer camp at Terally Equestrian Centre from Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th July. The weather was truly glorious as 15 girls and their ponies arrived at their seaside location. Terally offers 1st class equine accommodation with indoor and outdoor arenas, open fields, a fantastic cross country course and beautiful beach riding on the doorstep.
Instructors Kara Torrance, Ruth McGarry, Arlene McNabney, and Anne Jolly taught all the disciplines with plenty of dismounted theory work in the shade to give girls and ponies a break from heat and sunshine. Quite a few members were attending full camp for the first time. Everyone did very well indeed with lots of new experiences and horses and riders making great improvements over the course of camp. The company was divided into three troops, named after the club’s venues, Terally, Whiteleys and Calgow, who compete for an inter-troop cup.
Visitors to camp included horse dentist, Mark Twigg on the Thursday evening. He gave a very informative presentation and horse Amber got a dental check-up. She stood very well whilst all present got to feel her teeth, well done Amber! Senior member Quinn Jolly arrived at camp to help instruct games and polocrosse. On the Friday evening the whole company went for a swim at The Ryan Centre, Stranraer followed by a meal out, they then returned to Terally to prepare for the guest tack and turnout inspection the next morning. This was carried out by Jennifer-Anne McWilliam and Lyndsay Wilson who praised members for their efforts and gave useful feedback, their visit was much appreciated.
Another 8 members joined on the Saturday for the shorter 2 day version of camp. After riding all day on the Saturday their ponies went home and riders stayed on at Terally for a beach BBQ and yet another swim in the sea. Sunday saw friends and families arrive to watch a cross country demonstration with the girls jumping in pairs. After lunch, DC, Wendy Miller-Smith presented cups and prizes attained over camp and congratulated everyone on another memorable and successful camp, she commended all the girls for their attitude, horsemanship and camaraderie. She especially thanked parents for the excellent catering, cleaning, sleeping over and general assistance without which camp would be impossible. Once Terally was cleared and swept up it was returned to the Torrance family with grateful thanks. Camp hay was kindly provided by the Torbet family.
Trophy Winners :
McClymont Cup – Best Turned Out at Camp – Cara Sloan
Craig Darroch Cup – Citizenship at Camp – Hannah Torbet
Bargaly Cup – Most Improved Rider, Blue Ride – Sarah Fisher
Whiteleys Cup – Most Improved Rider, Red Ride – Emily Kay
Airlies Cup – Most Improved Rider, Green Ride – Heather Bowden
Cliff McCulloch Cup – Most Improved Rider, Mini Camp – Emma Ramsay
Craigenholly Inter-Troop Cup – Terally – Kirsty Fisher
Ardwell Mains Cup – Most Improved Pony – Amber (Izzy Miller-Smith)
Arrol Cup – Bravery Award – Georgie Barr
Kirkmaiden Hunter Trials Cup – Best Pony Club Pony – Henderson (Sarah Fisher)
Galloway PC Turnout Trophy for Mini Camp – Megan McIlwraith & Emma Drummond
DC’s Choice Prize – Cara Jamieson.
Camp has not been the only thing happening, Emma Donnan joined camp a day late as she was representing Galloway at the Area 19 Eventing competition at Hopetoun near Edinburgh bringing home a fourth rosette at Novice. Senior member Caitlin Jolly also put in good rounds at Intermediate. On the Sunday morning Eilidh Fisher and Izzy Miller-Smith along with instructor, Arlene McNabney attended Wigtown Church’s Riding of The Marches Ceremony ahead of the big event next Saturday.
Area 19 competitions continue on 17th & 18th July with dressage and showjumping at Morris EC, Fenwick. That same week Emma Donnan is off again to do Tetrathlon at Forgandenny near Perth. Little sister, Laura and Megan McIlwraith also travel to do Triathlon. Good luck to all our members competing away, anyone wishing to go and cheer them on would be very welcome indeed, Go Galloway!
