About Green Spring Hounds

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., develops character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies, riding and mounted sports.

 

    History Of Our Club

Founded in Great Britain in 1929, Pony Club was developed as a junior branch of The Institute of the Horse, in order to encourage young children to start riding. It combined knowledge and horsemanship, with riding opportunities in the field that would not otherwise have been available. In 1934, Mrs. and Mr. Bedford establish in Maryland the Taylor Pony Club, which operated as a member of the Canadian Branch of the British Pony Club. As membership increased, the Baltimore Hartford Pony Club was established in 1946- still 8 years before The United State Pony Club, Inc would be founded! It served all the children in the Elkridge Hartford Hunt and Green Spring Valley Hounds fox hunting areas. Like most clubs established in the 50’s and 60’s, the club and its members were closely associated with the local fox hunting clubs. In 1954, the Baltimore Hartford Pony Club split into two, with one club remaining in the Elkridge hunt territory, and the other taking up home with the Green Spring Valley Hounds in the Greenspring and Worthington valley areas. In 1958, Mrs. Matilda Hebb formally founded the Green Spring Hounds Pony Club, with a vision and passion to teach children horse management, as well as mounted instruction.

  

With members from Baltimore, Carroll and Hartford Counties, the Green Spring Hounds Pony Club is one of the oldest clubs in the country! Part of the USPC’s Maryland Region, we are fortunate to be situated right in the heart of horse and hunt country. Surrounded by almost 10 thousand contiguous preserved acres of farm land, the members of GSHPC have enjoyed incredible opportunities and support from the community. As a result of Mrs. Hebb’s vision, USPC’s standards and community support, GSHPC has proudly graduated out many competent horsemen over the years, with approximately 13 graduate A’s, 1 graduate H-A, 1 graduate H, 20 graduate B’s and 15 graduate C3’s! GSHPC has also had two members who have completed on the International Tetrathlon Exchange, and one of our GSHPC graduate members, who through her experience with Pony Club and Tetralthon, went on to represent the USA in the 2012 Olympic Games in Modern Pentathlon! The GSHPC continues to promote the vision, mission and values on which Pony Club was founded, and offers members of all ages an opportunity to develop their character, leadership, sportsmanship and confidence, in a program that teaches the care of ponies and horses, and mounted instruction.

The USPC Today

With over 500 clubs and riding centers registered with USPC, the Pony club program has been strengthened and expanded to meet the needs of equestrians of all ages and disciplines. The Pony Club Rating system is a way to evaluate members on their knowledge and riding skills, and offers successive levels of difficulty as members grow and enhance their abilities. GSHPC is committed to educating the next generation of horse managers and riders by maintaining a roster of active and enthusiastic members, with a dedication and passion for horses and horse sports. Whether you simply want confidence owing and enjoying your own horse, or endeavor to run an international show barn and ride at the highest levels, there are opportunities through Pony Club that are unlike those found anywhere else! Many of our members are involved with horses beyond Pony Club; U.S. Eventing Association, US Hunter/Jumper shows, Maryland Dressage Association, the Retried Racehorse Project, hunter trials, paper chases, fox hunting and pleasure riding. Throughout the year, GSHPC’s calendar includes local, regional, national and even international opportunities for our members. We have scheduled mounted and unmounted meetings, rallies and competitions, seminars and demonstrations, field trips to places like the Washington International Horse Show and New Bolton Center, and service projects within the community. There is also a National Youth Board and leadership options for those who are interested in pursuing officer positions. Pony Club really is, where it all begins!

    

 

Members of Green Spring Hounds Pony Club come from all different riding disciplines and different levels of horse experience. Some compete in rallies, while others do not.  Many members have their own horse or pony, but that is not a requirement to joint Pony Club, and we encourage all those interested in horses to get in touch!

If you love horses and want to develop your riding and horsemanship skills, there is a place in Pony Club for you!

 

 

 

Visit the Pony Club website to learn more about the Pony Club educational program, national events, activities and opportunities for members.

To learn more or to join Green Spring Hounds Pony Club, click here.