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Introduction to the SDHW Branch

The Southdown Hunt Pony Club, Sussex, was formed in 1936 but split into two in 1976 to form the Southdown Hunt West and Southdown Hunt East branches of the Pony Club.

Our Branch, Southdown Hunt West, stretches from the coast in the south to the A272 in the north, and from the river Adur in the west to the B2112 (the old London to Brighton road) in the east. It also includes a large part of the city of Brighton and Hove. Our Pony Club neighbours are the Southdown East, Crawley and Horsham and Crawley and Horsham South branches.

We are essentially a rural (as opposed to country or urban) branch and incorporate the commuter ‘corridor’ which lines the main A23 London to Brighton road which bisects our branch. The South Downs themselves separate the coastal strip from the rest of the area. The local hunt is the Southdown and Eridge, although there is not much hunting country within our boundaries. Included in our area is the prestigious All England Jumping Course at Hickstead whose facilities we are able to use. Also in our area are the Brendon Horse and Rider Centre at Pyecombe, The Royal Leisure Centre at Henfield, Albourne Equestrian Centre ( a Pony Club Centre) at Albourne and West End Farm on the outskirts of Burgess Hill, all of which offer large indoor schools for our winter rallies.

As a local branch of The Pony Club we try and offer a full programme of rallies and activities to all our members. Programmes are published each holiday and half term, and newsletters are produced at various times throughout the year. Rallies remain the backbone of each programme and over the year we try and include aspects of all disciplines as well as the more common flatwork and jumping elements. There is a structure in place for tests and we continue to encourage our member’s in gaining their badges.

Residential Camp is always a big highlight of our calendar when we are fortunate to be able to use the facilities at the Hickstead International Showground. Day camp is also held for our younger members either on a local farm or at a local equestrian centre. Other activities offered by the branch to its members include stable management sessions, quizzes, outside visits, demonstrations and lectures and even a Christmas Disco!. Many of our members keep their ponies in livery yards and several have ‘non horsy’ parents so one of the key aspects of training within the branch is to help and advise our riders in all aspects of horsemanship and encourage them to achieve as high a level of horsemanship as possible but without losing the element of fun which is so important.

We also actively encourage team participation in all disciplines and regularly field teams in Dressage, Jumping, Tetrathlon (junior), Horse Trials, Polocrosse and Mounted Games. 

One of our greatest successes over the years has been the Prince Philip Cup team who have made it to the finals at Wembley on four occasions and regularly reach the Zone Finals.

Southdown Hunt West boasts an active and enthusiastic Supporters’ Association which supports the branch in all senses of the word. They provide help in many aspects of the running of the branch as well as the organisation of shows and competitions. The Annual Team Show Jumping Competition held at Hickstead in the summer is probably the largest and most successful Pony Club show of it’s kind in the country. Other regular events include an Annual Horse Show, a 12 & Under Show, and a Prince Philip Cup competition.

We hope that anyone reading this who might be interested in joining our branch will look though our web site or contact one of the Committee Members or Discipline Organisers to have a chat about what is involved. We look forward to hearing from you.

District Commissioner.
Southdown West