Megan Hopkinson

Over the last 20 years as a pony club member, I have learned and developed a plethora of skills from teamwork and communication to knowledge and confidence. I have utilised these skills recently during my year abroad at university before graduating with a Bachelor of Biological Sciences earlier in 2023 and would now like to transfer them back into the Pony Club. Aged 2, I completed my first fill week at South Notts Pony Club Camp, and I am yet to miss one since, even if I helped in the kitchen cooking or put up all the rings due to not having a horse.

I have achieved my B test and Lunging test and hope to have my AH test completed soon and have significant drive to learn much more above and beyond the syllabus. In the last year alone, I have captained a Senior Horse and Pony Care team through Area qualifiers, scoring 405 points and Championships scoring 447, as well as scoring over 45 points both times for teamwork and being named as an individual many times. In previous years I have competed and trained in a variety of disciplines including mounted games, showjumping, eventing and polocrosse. In the last 5 years I have begun to give back to the Pony Club community by taking my Introduction to Coaching Step 1 and 2, coaching within Branches and Centers in Area 6 helping arrange competitions, fill out entries and generally being there as a friendly face when needed. I have also completed my YELA Bronze and Silver volunteering hours. I intend to complete my Introduction to Coaching Stage 3 in the next 12 months.

Throughout my competitive and non-competitive years, I have formed many lasting friendships filled with a common love of horses, including 2 Pony Club friends in Canada and a few in the Netherlands. I was a successful applicant joining the newly formed Youth Committee meeting once every 2 months to collate data on members opinions and feelings. One of my proudest Pony Club moments was a survey response to the question ‘What is the best thing about Pony Club’ and I received the response “Meg because she’s super fun”. I am hopeful many exciting things will come from this country wide collaboration.

I believe I encompass the Pony Club Ethos promoting good sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty creating a strong character and good self-discipline meaning I would thrive if selected for the Quiz Team.