Hey

Hannah here:

We've just heard about a sponsored ride near to the H+P office! On Bank Holiday Monday - May 4 - there's a sponsored ride at Grimsthorpe Castle, near Bourne, Lincs.

You will get to chill out in private parkland, with no worry of traffic, while your fave pony can kick up his hooves and enjoy a good canter through the grounds.

Riders of all abilities are welcome and you can choose from three different routes (8, 12 and 15 miles.) You'll trot on through ancient woodlands, see the huge lake and the imposing house and there are even optional jumps to tackle.

The event will be raising funds to help maintain local village churches and this year’s charity Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

The ride will be clearly signposted and there is even a refreshment stop at the halfway stage – complete with homemade cakes! Rides can set off between 10am and 2pm (last start time for the 15-mile route is 1pm) and the advance fee is £15 per horse, or £20 on the day.

Riders under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone completing the course will receive a rosette. And a prize will be awarded to the person who achieves the most sponsorship.

For all the information and entry details contact Rosemary on 01778 590350, email rosemary.player@ppbid.com or visit the event website at www.bccride.com what are you waiting for?!

My name is Hannah Maskell and I am 9 years old. I've had my new Forest pony, Maisy, for two years and we love to do endurance.

We went to the national launch of Pony Club Endurance in Milton Keynes city centre. The PC series is sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin. The launch was right next to the Snow Dome! We had a lovely day riding though lots of parks, even under a roller coaster and past the concrete cows which most of the horses and ponies spooked at! One poor lady nearly ended up in the river ... hehe!

I rode with my friend Kathryn and Jane, as my Mum was ride organiser this time. We managed a speed of 9.86km per hour, which is a little slower than we’d hoped for. We need to do our class at 10km per hour. Maisy's heart rate of 40, which is spot on which meant even with a slow pace we qualified for the championships.

Our next bit of endurance is a training rally these Easter holidays, where we will learn how to cool our ponies off properly after an endurance ride. This is important as it helps to get the heart rate back to the resting speed for the vetting. The lower your heart rate and faster your pace the better.

I’m aiming to ride next either at the Vale of Belvoir or at Windsor, both of which will be 34km rides to practice for the PC Finals which will be 33kms. We plan to camp at both which I great fun with everyone there with their ponies. Just like a short Pony Club camp!

I really hope that more people will start doing endurance riding as it is such good fun and I've proved you don’t need a specialist pony nor expensive tack do it.

Hannah got interviewed for local TV!

H+P wants to know where the scrummy looking 80th anniversary PC cakes came from!

Photos thanks to Kit Houghton/The Pony Club

Hi everyone

Sarah and Tippy here:

The weather wasn't exactly brill for Tippy's 22nd birthday but that didn't stop her hogging all the carrots. Poor old Poppy didn't get much of a look in! Old slobber chops stuffed her carrots down so greedily she looked like she was wearing orange lippy.

The ladies spent the day sheltering in the hedge bottom, well the hawthorn buds make for tasty eating. They just had to be careful not to prick their muzzles on the thorns.

Tippy and Poppy are both in the middle of changing their coats and look totally scruffy. I think they quite enjoy the wet weather as it gets muddy so they can have a good roll and scratch some hair out.

Here's to Tippy's 23rd year and a hope that she might finally start acting her age!

Hey!

Hannah here:

Ever wondered what the horsey world gets up to on Red Nose Day? Well one equestrian centre in Wilstead, Beds, was certainly busy!

The Stables Equestrian Centre raised more than £500 for Comic Relief. The staff and most riders wore pyjamas all day on Friday March 13 and Saturday March 14.

All the staff decided that they wanted to do something to raise money for Comic Relief and Jo Samuel (the owner) suggested all staff and clients got sponsorship to wear pyjamas throughout both days. The staff loved the idea, as well as The Stables’ clients, with many riders turning up in sleepwear, as well as dressing gowns and even night hats. In fact, some got so behind the project, that whole families arrived in pyjamas, including parents and grandparents.

Check out these awesome shots:

Hi guys

Sarah and Tippy here:

Have you heard? The 27th International Donkey Week is nearly here! The charity event, which aims to raise public awareness about The Donkey Sanctuary's work around the world starts on Tuesday May 5.

Every year, The Donkey Sanctuary hosts a special shindig to help remind peeps about what they do - not just here in the UK but overseas too! The charity works in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Mexico through its Sanctuary from Suffering campaign in the form of free mobile clinics and education for donkey owners, children and vets.

The charity relies entirely on donations so please help out... click on http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk and find out how to help.

The Donkey Sanctuary is based in Sidmouth, Devon - and you can visit!

Hey

Hannah here:

Don’t believe you can do cool stuff for free? Well, I’m here to prove you wrong! This next bank holiday, May 4, from 10am–5pm you can experience watching one of the most exciting horsey sports in Britain… horseball at Lee Valley Riding Centre, Leyton, Greater London, for FREE.

Basically, horseball is a game between two teams of players, who use their skill and agility to throw a ball between players. The aim of the game is to score goals by throwing the ball through a basketball style hoop. There will be plenty of thrills, and probably some spills, to keep you on the edge of your seat and you never know maybe you’ll want to get involved.

Horseball is full of action!

The day is not just about horseball though. There will be tons of fun for anyone who loves all things horsey, as well as those who are new to the idea of riding. You can meet the horses and find out more about the riding centre. There is also pony rides, a riding centre quiz, arts and crafts activities, face painting, a carousel and riding to music displays.

For all the info check out http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk