Tantramar Pony ClubThe Tantramar Pony Club came into being in February, 1974, when a group of interested people met at the home of Barbara Hennigar (Amherst, NS). The group included Barbara, Sheila Jane Milner, Garnet Gallant, Ken and Mona Hanna, Gill Lawrence, Gerry Helm and Betty Donaldson. It was decided to write the Regional Chairman for information on how to start a Pony Club and to apply for a charter. Sheila Jane Milner was appointed District Commissioner, Betty Donaldson, Secretary, and Garnet Gallant, Treasurer. Our charter was confirmed in October 1974. We are grateful for the dedicated help of Betty Donaldson, who served several terms as Branch DC, Secretary, Board Member and as the sole Test Rep from 1974 until she retired in 2006. Generations of Tantramar members have written their tests in Betty’s living room. In all their years of operation, Tantramar has remained a relatively small club, ranging in size from 6 to 22 members. They have been active in testing and all disciplines. They continue to compete at Tetrathlon, Quiz, Rally, Show Jumping and Dressage at the Regional level. Throughout their history, the most popular discipline overall, for Tantramar Pony Club members has been Horse Trials and Rally and had many members excel at Tetrathlon (nationally and internationally). They have had many members attain their C2 level, four members have attained their B test levels (S.E. Donaldson, O. White, I. Hansen, E. Sloan) and one B2 SM level (I. Hansen). Although they are part of the Nova Scotia Pony Club Region, because of their unique location, they attract members from both sides of the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border. While most of their Pony Club activity takes place in Nova Scotia, they are fortunate to be close to both NB and PEI Pony Club branches and have often joined with them in Pony Club activities. In 2010, Tantramar Branch had seven active members and one affiliate member who met every second Friday for stable management sessions with Gay Hansen at Galloway Stables in Port Howe, NS. 2010 was very busy with members participating in a variety of activities including: Regional D Challenge, Evangeline Quiz and Regional Show Jumping Championships. The club hosted a successful show in May, a day camp on Easter weekend and a tetrathlon camp with Alex Beaton in July. As well members concluded a fundraising project by bagging and selling manure, a project that has been very successful over the years with many repeat customers. Written tests were completed in early July and practical testing took place on November 15, 2010. For further information re Tantramar Branch, contact Debby Creamer, DC at rick.creamer@ns.sympatico.ca |