Rider's Diary
SIMON BUCKLEY was an enthusiastic member of Oxenholme Pony Club and having achieved his A-test and an gold medal with the pony Quayside Caution, is now a successful international show jumper
After being asked to write about my 'Pony Club Days', I thought – no problem, I'm only 25 and just finished with Pony Club, so I must know when & where.
I was born into a horsy family. I even had the privilege of jumping before I was born, but my Nana put a stop to that after Mum fell off!
My earliest memories of are of going to shows to watch my Aunt Lorraine. I still have a patch of hair on my head that goes fair in the sun from falling down the stairwell in the wagon at HOYS when I was 2 years old!
In 1989 I joined Oxenholme Pony Club along with my older brother Nick. My pony Rummy was a young Welsh and I couldn't reach to mount properly! I used to pull myself up the stirrup leather, get my KNEE in the iron and 'shimmy' up the side! Not very 'Pony Club,' but effective.
When I took my D test the examiner had to hold me up to put the bridle on as I was 6 years old.
1990 saw my first trip to casualty. My grandfather tried to chase Rummy over a practise jump, only succeeding in parting pony and rider. The pony knocked me on my eye and I had to have 2 stitches!
In 1991 I had a new pony called Penny.
However soon after I swapped ponies with my sister. My pony was too lazy and her heart wasn’t in riding so Stoak Nougat became mine.
1995 was my first year of BSJA jumping. Nougat was only 6, but won the Paul's Debut championship at South View in Cheshire. I passed my D+ and went to camp, but my love affair with show jumping had begun.
The next year saw the arrival of Mister Minstrel, a 7yr old, palomino/dun.
That summer we did some BSJA, but we also went to Pony Club rallies.
In 1997 we represented the open show jumping team, won and went to the championships at Weston Park! I also passed my C test.
1998 saw the arrival of Quayside Caution. We jumped in the show jumping team, won and went to WP.
Stephen Hadley was awarding 3 training bursaries that day, and I won one of them.
In 1999 Quayside Caution and I won team gold in Sweden and came individually 7th.
I then bought Lakeland Gold Diamond and the next year I passed my B test.
Lakeland Gold Diamond was still a comparative novice, but he qualified for HOYS newcomers final. I also found time to pass my BHS stage 3, and in September I packed my bags and moved to Heathcroft Stud, to be with Adrian Marsh on the run up to HOYS. Lakeland Gold Diamond and I won there from pole position, and my fortnight stay became 3 years.
In 2004 I somehow managed to pass my Pony Club 'A' test care section. Mum gave me all the books to study, but not many were opened. When you are on a professional yard, so much is daily routine anyway. I failed the riding section – ON MY JUMPING!!
In 2005 I did less, but I helped Mum with jumping rallies and a little with team training. I also found time to re-sit (and pass) my 'A' test.
Without Pony Club, I would not have the foundation I now have. This year I have taken horses to Portugal for 6 weeks and Worrior has taken me to HOYS for 3 years running.
My future is unknown but for anyone thinking about joining their local Pony Club - do it, you never know where it may take you.
