News

Letter from the Chair

Jun 1, 2020

Dear Members, Parents and Volunteers,

The grass is growing, our horses and ponies have shed out their winter hair, and we are all longing for the day when we can get back to our regular pony club life and meet our friends in person once again. Please don’t give up hope! Slowly but surely the Regions are in the process of submitting their protocols that they will need to have in place to keep everyone safe and healthy. The three Alberta regions have now received their permission to reactivate their in-person activities. Other regions will follow within the next few weeks once their plans are approved.

I hope that you have been following all our on-line activities whilst you have been unable to attend your regular pony club education sessions. Our National Youth reps have had a very creative “pony club socks” activity running for a while on their Face Book page, and I have seen some very creative things that those socks have been getting up to. Our National Education Face Book page has been full of information designed to try to help you all feel connected whilst we are all distanced from each other. The St. Lawrence Ottawa Valley group has also created and hosted a virtual Rally that many members, Horsemasters and parents have participated in. We also have a ‘meet the member’ initiative where pony club members can post a picture and tell us a little bit about themselves. There are also other Regions , like NB/PEI, that have kept their members connected with regularly mailed out Education packages sent to individual members. We realize that the disconnect for everyone is very real, and across the country we are all doing our best in whatever way we can to ensure that our programs are delivered to our members.

Our most exciting announcement is being circulated today. The National Quiz committee has just announced that we will be having a Virtual National Quiz this year. National Quiz is our most well attended National event of the year, and although because of Provincial physical distancing restrictions, the Alberta North Region will not be able to host you all in person, you will have the opportunity to see all your friends and participate in all of the elements that an in-person Quiz would have normally provided. Have no fear; the prizes and awards will not be virtual!

Let’s work together to make sure that we follow the extra COVID-19 protocols that will be a part of our pony club life for the foreseeable future.

I thought that I would include a photo for you of my very special four footed friend, my Welsh Pony Sadie who has helped countless pony clubbers learn to play PPG.

Take care, and stay healthy.
Jane Goodliffe,
Canadian Pony Club National Chair.