Xmas Newsletter 2011 - The Pony Club Branches

VISIT VISIT TO TO TO LIPHOOK LIPHOOK EQUINE EQUINE HOSPITAL
HOSPITAL
On Thursday 27 October, during half term, about 20 Petersfield Pony Club members and parents
enjoyed a visit to the Liphook Equine Hospital. On arrival we were greeted by Peter Gallon, a partner in
the veterinary practice. Having made us welcome, he then took us on a tour of the hospital, which has
recently been undergoing major building works and improvements.
We were shown round all of the facilities, including the ICU (intensive care unit) where we had to be very quiet so as
not to disturb the poorly horses, the inpatient stable yard, the operating theatre (with its special padded table), the x-ray
rooms and the treatment and examination rooms. Peter explained to us the purpose of various items of equipment
and how they were used and kept us all involved by asking us questions on the way round.
After touring the hospital facilities, we then went inside the very smart new building and into a conference / lecture
room where we were given drinks and biscuits.
Here, Peter talked us through equine first aid, particularly emergency wound treatment and what we could do to help
an injured pony whilst waiting for the vet to arrive. Some of us were asked to help put a wound dressing and bandage
on a model of a horse’s leg. We were also shown some actual horse bones and a half leg so that we could see the
tendons, bones and ligaments inside.
I really enjoyed the evening and came away with a much better understanding of what goes on inside an equine
hospital. I also now feel confident that I’d know what first aid measures to take if my pony injured himself.
Many thanks to Peter for his time and for his fascinating and informative tour. I probably won’t be the only one who
came away wanting to be a vet!!
Thank you also to Julie for organising such an excellent evening. I know she enjoyed it too.
GGGGrace race race race Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall
GOOD GOOD BYE BYE TO TO PETERSFIELD PETERSFIELD BRANCH BRANCH BRANCH OF OF THE THE PONY PONY CLUB
CLUB
Below is a letter that Penny Briggs read out on the night of our Annual Party & Prize Giving :
I
joined Petersfield Branch of the Pony Club in February 1997 on my now 20 year old pony Condie Nelson, aged 10.
During this time I took my Pony Club D Test through to B Test and BHS Riding & Road Safety.
Nelson took me through Mini Horse Trials to British Eventing Intro level competing in many successful Pony Club
Horse Trials teams. We were also on many successful dressage teams, culminating while he was on loan to Sophie
Hopkins with them taking part in the Intermediate Dressage teams at the Pony Club Championships in 2007.
Petersfield Pony Club gave me the initiative to enable me to compete with British Eventing on my horse Bantry Parks
Ransom to Novice level, but also again in many horse trials and dressage teams; at the Pony Club Championships in
2007 in the Open Dressage Teams where the team came 9th, but particularly in the past 2 years where we have
qualified for the Dengie Winter Dressage Championships coming 5 th in 2010 and 10 th in 2011 in my arenas.
I have had an amazing 14 years with Petersfield Pony Club – sadly this is my final year! A huge thank you must be
given to the District Commissioners over those years, but particularly a BIG THANK to you Sandie and Annette over
the past 3 years.
I will miss their support and also the camaraderie of Petersfield Pony Club; I am very sorry not
to be able to say my ‘good byes’ in person tonight.
Laura Laura Laura Laura Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, Nelson Nelson Nelson Nelson and and and and Ransom Ransom Ransom Ransom