The King Pony Club is set to take its place as a Branch of the Central Ontario Region of Canadian Pony Club in time for the 2004 season. It has been confirmed as a full Branch and its members may now take part in Central Ontario Pony Club activities once they have achieved at least the minimum level in the Pony Club testing system.

King Pony Club members range in age from 7 to 18 years of age, with tested members at the D, D1 and D2 levels. King Pony Club members will be participating in testing, quiz, dressage, show jumping, D Rally and A/B/C Rally during the 2004 season, with a special interest in drill team. Club colours are black and gold with white trim.

King Pony Club is based at Briarwood Farms in King, Ontario, though members may ride elsewhere. Most members will be participating in Pony Club activities on Briarwood school horses. Branch instructor for King Pony Club is Janet Humphrey, an Equine Canada certified level 2 Coach specializing in Hunter/Jumper.

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, and has contributed many members to Canada's Olympic and World Championship equestrian teams over the years. The Central Ontario Region comprises approximately 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 as described above, tetrathlon (including swimming, shooting, cross-country and stadium jumping, and cross-country running by the riders) as well as "academic" competition in quiz format. Above all, the objective of all Pony Club competition is for kids to have safe fun in horse-related activities.

For further information about King Pony Club, please contact District Commissioner Kate Evans at (905) 836-2864 or kingponyclub@hotmail.com.