Facts and Figures

• The South Berks is a branch in Area 13 (South Central) of the Pony Club
• We are one of 360 branches in the Pony Club
• Founded in 1930 we are one of the oldest branches of the Pony Club
• At present we have 167 members including 36 boys
• The South Berks won the first ever Area Competition

The South Berkshire Hunt Branch was one of the earliest to come into existence, being formed in 1930 by Miss Joyce Laurence, of Moulsford, who was the first District Commissioner (DC). In those days most of the members lived north of the Bath Rd, in what was the Friday Country as hunted by the South Berks Hounds (now the Garth and South Berks). And in this connection, it must be said that the branch has owed a tremendous lot to successive Masters of the South Berks Hunt, who have always given every possible encouragement to all its members and have taken a great interest in it's welfare . This is of course important, and has a very strong influence; for it is well recognised that the reputation and the future of foxhunting rests with the younger generation. Those who live in the South Berks country are particularly fortunate for the Hunt not only has a long tradition behind it, but has at the present day an outstanding pack of hounds, beautifully bred, and not only beautiful to look at, but capable of showing wonderful sport in the field.

Under Miss Laurence the Branch soon got under way, Mr Guy Hargreaves and Col. A.E.Phillips, who were Joint Masters at the time, taking it very much under their wing. The first show, run by Miss Laurence, was held at Mr Collins' farm at Goring.

In 1932 the Misses Joan and Virginia Allcroft took over as Joint DC's from Miss Laurence, and worked very hard, getting as many new members as possible, and giving them first class instruction. Mr F.T.Spanton, who was Master at this period, gave the branch it's first Pony Club Meet. Later on Sir James King, when Joint Master with Sir William Mount, took an especial interest in the Branch, devoting a lot of his time to organising Mock Hunts and other activities, and giving talks in hunting matters. The Joint Masters arranged special Pony Club Meets, to which large and enthusiastic fields turned up.

Owing to the large area involved, the Branch was now divided into Groups or Districts each under it's own organiser, who ws responsible for Rallies, etc., while such events as Hunter Trials and Shows, etc., were run by the DC's. At this time the majority of members still came from the country lying north of the Bath Rd.

In 1936 Miss Nancy Ferrand took over as DC. It was she who started the Hunter Trials - now such a popular event - the first trials being held overa course at Bradfield. From 1937, right up to the present day (circa 1955), the Hunter Trials have always been held over a course at Everington, Hampstead Norris, a farm belonging to that good friend of the branch, Mr T.C.Dewe. No better course could be desired, being all on grass (Mr Dewe always moving the stock so the course is free); the jumps are all brush hedges which Mr Dewe himself clips for the occasion; thesmall river Pang comes twice in the line, and there is a small wood. On many occasions Mrs Dewe has entertained the judges and other officials with her hospitality, and in the two years before the War, Mr Dewe lent his land for a Pony Club Camp. In 1938, just before the War started, Miss Gladys Black, of Calcot, became DC. The last Camp was held on Mr Dewe's land in 1939.

On the outbreak of War, Miss Laurence once again came forward, and, as DC, kept the Branch going through the difficult yearsthat followed. Mrs Sainty was Hon. Secretary at this time. In 1946 Miss Laurence was succeeded by Miss Ann Rothbarth, one of the original members of the Branch, I believe. Mrs Sainty continued for a short time as Secretary with Mrs Woodward; this work later being taken over by Mrs Edward Cope. Miss Rothbarth did a great deal for the Branch, and organised a particularly successful Show at Reading, at which various Challenge Cups for Riding and Jumping were offered, these still being in circulation. In 1949 the Pony Club Inter-Branch Competitions were started; with the help of Miss Pullen Thompson a South Berks Team was coached, which won the Area Competition held at Newmarket that year.

Hunter Trials continued to be held at Everington, and in 1950, a presentation was made to Mr Dewe in recognition of all he had done for the branch. It is interesting to recall that at this time Miss Patricia Cope, now a well-known figure in the Show Ring with her beautiful grey, Mighty Grand, was a member of the South Berks Branch. Miss Rothbarth was succeeded by Miss Reid, but at the end of the year the latter left the South Berks country.

In 1951, Miss Iris Bennett, yet another well-known figure in the horse world, took over as DC. Numbers had at this time fallen off somewaht, and it was decided to do away with the Sub-Branches. Since that time, however, there has been a considerable increase in membership, and today the Branch is a very strong one. Most of the members now come from the southern end of the country.

Miss Frankenburg, who had been Hon. Secretary, resigned in 1951, Whereupon Mrs. Rodney Palmer, wife of the Master of the South Berks, and Miss Barbara Vincent became Joint Secretaries. To Col. Palmer himself, the branch owes a big debt of gratitude for all he has done for them, as does the South Berks Hunt for all his very successful Mastership since the War. Col. Palmer has always taken an especial interest in the Branch, has been ever ready to arrange Pony Club Meets, has arranged for members to visit the kennels, where Victor Clarke, who may well be proud of his hounds is always pleased to show them, and has himself given talks on hunting. The Branch Show has also been held at the kennels, at his invitation. During his membership, Col. Palmer was President of the Branch, and took a leading part in the work of the committee.

Thanks to the hard work of the instructors, a high standard of riding and horsemanship has been attained throughout the branch, whose members show the greatest keenness. A very satisfactory number have passed the various tests, and several have attained their 'A' Certificate.

Though the Branch has not yet organised a Camp of it's own since the War, members have been invited to join the Craven Branch Camp, which has been much enjoyed. In 1953, four members of the South Berks Branch took part in the Pony Club Musical Ride at Southampton Show. In 1953, the Area Branch Competition was held at Theale, for which Miss Bennett, as DC, was the organiser.

Col. Palmer's resignation from the Mastership of the South Berks at the end of last season was as keenly regretted by the Branck of the Pony Club as by the Hunt itself. Miss Iris Bennett, although adding to her responsibilities by becoming Acting Master for the Committee, continues as DC; Mrs Palmer resigned as Joint Secretary, her place being taken by Mrs Leslie Jennings.

1930-1955 | 1955-Present Day | Present Day

This information was kindly provided by Nolan Best who was a member of the South Berks in his youth.

1958 - The District Commissioner was Iris Lindsey ( nee Bennett) of the Stud Farm at Sulhamstead. The instructors were Mrs Adderley , Colonel French-Blake and Roseanne Whitaker. There was only one Pony Club Camp a year for all age groups and it was held at Bradfield College. Everyone was a resident and slept in The Close, one of the houses in the College grounds. Bob Phillips, one of the Masters of Foxhounds of the Garth Hunt , along with Vic Clark the Kennel Huntsman, used to come along to Camp and give talks on Hunting, the Kennels and hounds A lot of our Pony Club members used to go hunting regularly and we often had Guests from other Pony Clubs (principally Wimbledon Pony Club) with whom we had strong links in those days.

There was no Tetrathlon then but the Prince Philip Cup was hotly competed for along with Interbranch Showjumping and One Day Events.

The Pony Club also arranged events of its own and at a Hunter Trial at Midgham Park (owned by Colonel French Blake) Nolan Best , a keen Pony Club member competed against Prince Charles and Princess Anne and won! Nolan and his fellow Pony Club member, Tony Booth - built their own Cross Country course at Home Farm, Heckfield and ran it every Autumn in aid of the Pony Club.

Frequent competitors in our Pony Club events in those days were the famous Dimbleby family , Prince Charles and Princess Anne and nearer to home, Brinley Powell - who now owns Tweseldown Equestrian Centre and who has competed at both Burghley and Badminton in his career.

Pony Club rallies used to be held at Bob Black's farm ( Sheepgrove Farm) at Great Auclum, Little Park Farm, farmed then by Bill Froom, and the Stud Farm at Sulhamstead - Mrs Lindseys .Most people hacked to the rallies as there were very few lorries then! If the Pony Club entered as a Team anywhere then the Pony Club hired a horse transporter who collected all of the horses from each person's home and then traveled to the Event!

Nolan Best, from being active in the S. Berks Pony Club, went on to be an avid supporter of the Garth & S. Berks Hunt over the years - being Joint Master for over 17 Seasons , taking various management roles (now Chairman of the Garth & S. Berks Hunt Club ) and helping to bring about the amalgamation of the Vale of Aylesbury and Garth and S. Berks Hunt due to lack of 'huntable' country and falling subscriptions in the Garth & S. Berks Hunt area. He is very keen to see our Pony Club members taking an interest in Hunting and would like to give an 'Open Invitation' to all Pony Club members to come and have a great day out with the Hunt. ( If you don't like the look of the jump you can always go round it! )If you would like to come out hunting then just tap into the web The Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks Hunt to find out which date and Meet might suit you.

If anyone else has information about the South Berks in the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's please send details to Fiona Shields

1930-1955 | 1955-Present Day | Present Day

This section is currently under construction - sorry!