Thoroughbred breeder and former event rider Lady Lloyd Webber is the new president of The Pony Club, taking over from the Princess Royal.
The wife of composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has a long affinity with horses and started out at the Pony Club.
“I am honoured and delighted to accept the invitation to be president,” said Lady Lloyd Webber.
“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”.
Lady Lloyd Webber — then Madeleine Gurdon — was a member of the Easton Harriers branch and won at the Pony Club Championships in eventing with The Done Thing in 1981.
She went on to compete in the young riders team at Burghley Horse Trials (1983), senior Europeans at Burghley Horse Trials (1985) and the World Championships in Poland (1986).
She finished second at Burghley Horse Trials in 1988.
Lady Lloyd Webber now owns successful thoroughbred studs Watership Down Stud and Kiltinan Castle studs, breeding flat race horses, including champion filly and multiple group one winner Dar Re Mi. She is also director of Newbury Racecourse.
Former president 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”.
