De La Brooke Pony Club topped seven North American Pony Clubs in the annual United States Pony Club Foxhunting Challenge Award. Marty and Daphne Wood, Joint-Masters of the Live Oak Hounds (FL), established and funded the annual Challenge Award to reward those Pony Clubs and hunts across North America that work together proactively in giving Pony Clubbers the opportunity to foxhunt.
Last season seven Pony Clubs and their local hunts accepted the Challenge, accounting for more than 420 days in the hunting fields for the young riders. In order of the Award placings, the Pony Clubs are: De La Brooke Pony Club, hunting with the De La Brooke Foxhounds (MD); St. Margaret’s, hunting with the Marlborough Hunt (MD); Ochlockonee, hunting with the Live Oak Hunt (FL); Blue Mountain, hunting with the Rose Tree-Blue Mountain Hunt (PA); Old Dominion, hunting with the Old Dominion Hounds (VA); Cedar Knob, hunting with the Cedar Knob Hounds (TN); and Portneuf Valley, hunting with the Red Rock Hounds (NV). The top participating Pony Clubs receive cash awards donated by the Woods.
“Marty and I have so enjoyed being able to sponsor the Live Oak Hounds Foxhunting Challenge Awards for the last fourteen years,” said Daphne Flowers Wood, Joint Master, Live Oak Hounds. “We are delighted that as a result, hundreds of children have gotten out hunting for the first time, to discover the bliss, freedom and camaraderie of following a pack of foxhounds. Foxhunting is a marvelous sport enjoyed by people from eight to eighty years old.”
USPC was founded in 1954 by a group of avid foxhunters. A knowledgeable rider on a happy pony (or horse) is the goal of Pony Club, and the hunting field is a great place to find many of these pairs. Pony Club offers several opportunities for members to explore Foxhunting as a group or individually through club or center activities. Visit the Pony Club website for information in becoming involved.
About the MFHA
Founded in 1907, the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America (MFHA) works to promote and preserve the sport of foxhunting. The organization serves as a governing body responsible for establishing and maintaining standards of conduct; managing the Foxhound Stud Book; recording countries and boundaries for organized hunting establishments, and recognizing organized hunts.
About Pony Club
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (Pony Club) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1954. Pony Club is the largest equine education organization in the world, with more than 10,000 members in the US, and over 500 clubs and riding centers nationwide. USPC is proud to provide education to youth and equestrians of all ages, with instruction and competitive opportunities in more than nine English and Western riding disciplines. Pony Club’s educational standards continue to be instrumental in curriculum development for schools, universities, equestrian professionals and organizations across the United States. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including Olympic team members, as well as successful business professionals and government leaders, have roots in Pony Club.
Posted August 21, 2020