The Pony Club is kicking off 2010 with Lady Lloyd Webber taking up the reins as their new president, H&C is pleased to learn.

Lady Lloyd-Webber has a long affinity with the Pony Club, including winning at the Pony Championships individually in Eventing with ‘The Done Thing' in 1981, as a member of the Easton Harriers Branch. This led into an Eventing career, which included competing in the Young Riders team at Burghley Horse Trials (1983), Senior Europeans at Burghley Horse Trials (1985), the World Championships in Poland (1986) and a second placing at Burghley Horse Trials (1988). Lady Lloyd-Webber now owns a successful thoroughbred stud, breeding flat race horses which include the champion filly and multiple group one winner, Dar Re Mi. Lady Lloyd Webber also holds the position of Director at Newbury Racecourse.

Now leaving the Pony Club activities to her children, Lady Lloyd Webber commented: "I am honoured and delighted to accept the invitation to be President. The Pony Club has been an important part of my life for nearly 40 years, whether participating as a teenager or coaching, and now as a dreaded Pony Club mother! I am looking forward to learning about life in the 21st Century Pony Club."

The Pony Club is also very pleased to announce that following the end of her Presidency term in 2009, HRH The Princess Royal is to become Royal Patron of The Pony Club.

"What a super start to our 2010 year," said Cherry Michell, Chairman of The Pony Club. "We enjoyed such a wonderful 80th Anniversary Year in 2009, and with membership numbers in good health, the coming year looks set to be even better."