MALVERN Pony Club’s summer camp proved that the bond between pony and child is as strong as ever.

Dozens of horse-mad youngsters enjoyed the event which has been held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, for more than 40 years.

The children, all aged between five and 11, took part in daily instruction and fun from Monday to Friday.

Competitions were held on the final day with everyone taking part in classes for show jumping, dressage, handy pony and gymkhana.

Hilary Raitt, the organiser, said: “Once the riders had arrived, prepared their ponies and stables and arranged all their feed and tack it was straight into riding lessons and tuition.

“All the riders were from the area around Malvern including Cradley, Welland, Castlemorton and Hanley Swan.”

Mrs Raitt, together with fellow committee members Vicki Slater and Denise Owen, have organised the event for the last three years, helping to keep everything running smoothly. Each of the days of instruction involved two lessons – one in the morning and another after lunch – and included riding, show jumping, dressage, horsemanship and non-riding horse care.

And no doubt all the youngsters enjoyed the midmorning ‘bun run’ to keep everyone’s energy levels up.

Mrs Raitt said: “There were lots of rosettes to be won and riders were judged on pony care, team work – stable block groups showing how they can care for and look after their own stables, tack and ponies – also trophies for dressage, show jumping, handy pony and best pony club.

“The week was a great success.

Despite a poor weather forecast it remained reasonable with the odd shower, so everyone arrived and left smiling.”