R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Riley Rebholz and Megan Fargan prepare to lead Lyana Lenaghen on Cody, a 20-year-old pony belonging to Molly Rebholz. Many youngsters have learned to ride on Cody in Pony Club, which educates equestrians of all ages on many aspects of horse management.

GLADSTONE — The Big Bay Pony Club concluded its annual riding camp last week with a horse show finale. Despite the group’s name, most of its members ride horses, not ponies, but maintaining the title is a nod to history, which is consistent with Pony Club’s appreciation of tradition.

This particular organization, based in Gladstone, operates within The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC), a nonprofit founded in 1954 based on the practices of The Pony Club in Great Britain.

“It is so much more than riding. We focus on care, safety, nutrition — horse management,” said Molly Rebholz, district commissioner of the Big Bay Pony Club.

Two veterinarians, an equine nutrition specialist, and three certified riding instructors guided campers’ education through the week. Safety was paramount, horses’ best interests were a focus, and the experience was immersive.

Participating in Pony Club teaches youngsters invaluable soft skills, said Rebholz. From tasks as simple as introducing oneself on day one to jumping literal obstacles on horseback, teaching newer students how to tack up and groom a horse, or even teaching older students how to teach the next generation, she believes the skills translate and help members succeed in other areas of life.

One such example stems from the rule that parents were not allowed to enter the stables during the four-day camp. This meant that anyone facing a challenge was forced to ask another camper for help, seek guidance from one of the instructors, or figure it out on their own. Each participant was responsible for feeding, cleaning, grooming, wrapping, tacking and untacking their mount through the week, and working together was encouraged.

Beginning with a 7 a.m. feed time every day, the intensive equine camp included some surprising elements. Most of the participants were children and adolescents, but parents still had a role to play. A portion of the camp taught adults how to drive with a horse trailer. To see how an animal standing in a trailer experiences a drive, parents were asked to get in a horse trailer and observe the effects of incorrect vs. proper driving techniques.

In past years, Big Bay Pony Club held its camp at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. But in 2023, the brand-new StaneDyke Stables in Gladstone hosted the club’s camp for the week. With a dressage ring, a show jumping arena, cross-country course and trails, the farm was an ideal site. The owners hope to make it an official Pony Club Riding Center by next year.

The next riding camp may not be until next summer, but Pony Club continues to have mounted and unmounted meetings — and it’s a national organization, which means that members can easily pick up at their appropriate level if they relocate to another region.

Big Bay Pony Club, which is part of the Lakeshore region of USPC, is holding a Jumping Show at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds on Sunday, Aug. 13, beginning at 11 a.m. It is free for the public to attend.

Members of the organization will also be at Elmer’s County Market for a Brat Sale Fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rebholz said she hopes to see the group continue to grow and is happy to answer questions from anyone curious about the organization or interested in joining. The e-mail address is bigbayponyclub@gmail.com.