LIKE hundreds of pony clubs across the country, members of the Wyre Forest have enjoyed a very busy summer.

Included in the usual programme of rallies was a visit to the Worcestershire Hunt Kennels, at Fernhill Heath, where a group of members and their parents enjoyed an educational tour with joint master David Palmer and huntsman Ian Starsmore.

"The younger members had a wonderful time playing with the puppies and some parents seemed keen to leave them for the summer but Ian declined the offer of so many little helpers," said Amanda Smith, district commissioner for Wyre Forest pony club.

"We were welcomed back to Doddenham Hall again by the Twinberrow family for our mini-event, which was a great success with glorious weather.

Neil Bennett and his team worked their usual genius to provide an inviting but challenging course and with the help of a large number of volunteer fence judges, stewards and scorers we finished before the rain arrived! Thank you to everyone who helped."

The next event was the Wyre Forest pony club rally and Handy Pony day at the same venue. This was well supported and enjoyed by everyone who took part. Youngsters were able to choose between a morning's instruction, an afternoon of fun, or both.

"The weather was warm and sunny and continued to get warmer all week until we returned to the same site for our annual show the next weekend when we all baked in the heat," said Amanda.

"It was a new site for this show which proved very popular and we were very lucky to have the use of such a fantastic venue."

One unexpected highlight was a fly-past by the Red Arrows during the morning, which caused quite a stir as one of the planes did a roll over the showground.

With five rings and clear round cross-country running all day pony club members were indebted to the band of voluntary helpers who made it possible to run the show.

The next outing was to Storridge, where the Allfrey family treated members to a wonderful morning's riding through the woods and around the farm, with a cooling paddle for the ponies in the pond then back for a picnic lunch with jelly and ice cream for children of all ages.

The annual camp at the Three Counties Showground was a tremendous success.

Members enjoyed four hours instruction in riding and stable-management each day in the care of nine instructors. The seniors enjoyed evening activities of swimming, grass-boarding with Out-to-Grass at Cradley and an evening at Malvern Outdoor Centre.

The juniors went home after tea every day, except on the last night when they joined in the fun with a bouncy castle, some great parachute games and rounders organised by JJ Smith. The food was excellent all week thanks to Mrs Hines and her team and a potato oven kindly lent to us by King Edward of Bromyard. Thanks also to Mr and Mrs Steele who started us off with a full cooked breakfast every morning.

"The summer has flown by and all the rallies have been very well attended. Our thanks goes to the various landowners who welcome us over the year. We sent teams to various area competitions with varied levels of success which gave all competitors valuable experiences," added Amanda.