The Mane Line of Defence: Volunteering at the Pony Club Championships (One Passport at a Time)
19th August 2025
, Senior Technical Policy Manager, shares her experience volunteering at the Pony Club Championships.
There was a quiet hum of excitement as I was greeting families arriving at the Pony Club Championships. I was one of the first faces they met on arrival where I meticulously checked the vaccination status and passports of the horses competing. My task was simple to ensure that every horse and pony entering the showground was accompanied by the correct passport and was vaccinated in line with the Pony Club requirements.
Equine influenza is one of the biggest biosecurity risks at large equestrian events such as the Championships. Such outbreaks do not just threaten individual animals; they can cause widespread disruption, leading to event cancellations and put months of training and preparation at risk. In 2019, a flu outbreak forced the cancellation of numerous horse racing meetings across the UK. Consequently, the passport station is more than a just checkpoint; it is the mane line of defence for the event.
On the first day I welcomed 400 horses and their riders to the event and checked around 150 passports over the five hour shift. My second day was a more relaxed affair with around 100 horses arriving for the day’s competition requiring passport and vaccination checks. After the rush hour I had an opportunity to watch as owners competing in the dressage competitions transformed their horses from mud monsters to majestic steeds; with transformations the My Little Pony stylist would have been proud of!
From the moment I arrived there was an exciting atmosphere filled with energy, nervous laughter and community spirit. There was a special feeling about being part of something bigger, supporting young riders as they showcase their hard work and passion. Pony Club is not just about horses – it is about teamwork, ambition and making lasting memories.
Whilst I may have missed the action of the cross country and the spectacle of the dressage, I was grateful to have the opportunity to safeguard the health and welfare of the horses competing and support tomorrow’s international equestrian stars.