The James Bay Pony Club is set to take its place as a Branch of the Central Ontario Region of Canadian Pony Club in time for the 2002 season. The James Bay Pony Club has been confirmed as a full Branch and its members may now take part in the Central Ontario Pony Club activities shown in the attached schedule, once they have achieved at least the minimum level in the Pony Club testing system. Even before the outdoor riding season starts, the Club is meeting every Monday evening at Sunset Stables on Kraft Creek Road for teaching and demonstrations. Ponies and horses are available for lessons and activities.
Pony Club is an international organization to promote riding and horsemanship skills among young people up to 21 years old. It has been active in Canada since 1934. The Central Ontario Region comprises over 30 Branches with a total membership of about 500. Worldwide, membership in Pony Club exceeds 120,000, making it the largest equestrian organization in the world.
Show jumping is the most familiar Pony Club activity since it attracts television coverage at its higher levels. Pony Club also offers competition in dressage, mounted games, rallies (including dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping), tetrathlon (including swimming, shooting, cross-country jumping and cross-country running by the riders) as well as "academic" competition in quiz format. James Bay Pony Clubbers, whose ages run from 5 to 17 years old, hope to take part in quiz and rallies this year.
For further information, call the District Commissioner of the new James Bay Branch, Jackie Ladouceur, at 705-266-7812 or Helen Sapelak at 705-264-1565.