Local Pony Club helps kids learn about, ride horses

%0A%28Left+to+right%29+Kiersten+Zinkhan%2C+Hanna+Cochran%2C+Anna+Fitzhugh%2C+Nora+Abukhdeir%2C+Julia+Cochran%2C+and+Stephanie+Usselman+%28not+pictured%29+are+all+members+of+United+States+Pony+Club%2C+a+youth+equestrian+organization.+Elkridge+Harford+Hunt+Pony+Club%2C+the+local+branch%2C+was+the+first+pony+club+in+America%2C+formed+in+1955.

(Left to right) Kiersten Zinkhan, Hanna Cochran, Anna Fitzhugh, Nora Abukhdeir, Julia Cochran, and Stephanie Usselman (not pictured) are all members of United States Pony Club, a youth equestrian organization. Elkridge Harford Hunt Pony Club, the local branch, was the first pony club in America, formed in 1955.

The United States Pony Club is an international youth organization formed to educate children up to the age of 25. Pony Club is now in over 30 countries, with 600 clubs across the country. One of these clubs is Elkridge Harford Hunt, located just 15 minutes away from North Harford.

There are seven, out of the fifty total members, that are from the school and are in the club. These girls participate in regional competitions such as dressage, show jumping, eventing, games, polocrosse, tetrathlon, and quiz, which is an unmounted knowledge competition. Some went to North Carolina for National Championships. Other activities are fundraisers, parties, exhibitions, and putting on horse shows.

Most of the girls say they started Pony Club through a family member or friend. Senior Nora Abukhdeir started because her trainer said she should once she started to get into horses again, while freshman Anna Fitzhugh joined because she wanted to work more and have something to do.

Everyone competes at different levels and in different competitions. Juniors Hanna and Julia Cochran do showjumping and camp, and sometimes eventing rally. They also went to National Championships for showjumping this July. Freshman Kiersten Zinkhan, however, does mounted games and polocrosse, which is kind of like lacrosse on horseback.

One of the goals of Pony Club is to help children become more confident and independent by not allowing parents to talk or be with their children at competitions. Hanna Cochran says that, “Pony Club has taught [her] to not rely on [her] parents for everything”, while her sister claims that, “Pony Club has taught [her] to be more outgoing and not as shy.”

Pony Club is more than just riding. It’s also about forming friendships with new people. All say one of the things they like best are the friendships they’ve made and that continue to this day. Abukhdeir’s favorite part is “working with the little kids [in the club], while Zinkhan’s is “how everyone works together to get things done.” Freshman Stephanie Usselman likes how, “you can do so many different things, and no one’s going to judge you, as to whether you’re good or not.”

A large part of Pony Club and what makes it unique is horsemanship- taking care of your horse correctly, and learning about horses. Many come out of Pony Club with much more knowledge about horses than they came in with. Fitzhugh claims that she’s learned how, “it’s not just about riding, it’s so much more, like how to manage your horse.” Abukhdeir says that it’s taught her a lot more knowledge about horses, and it actually landed her a job working with racehorses.

Pony Club is a premier youth riding organization, with many top riders and Olympians being alumni. If anyone is interested in joining, call the district commissioner, Lani Hyde, at 410-812-2425.