A LARGE gathering of Araglen Pony Club members, instructors, parents and friends gathered in the Community Field last Wednesday to honour and acknowledge one of their greats, John Joe White.
A lifelong ambassador and president of Araglen Pony Club, John Joe started out in 1993 with like-minded people and a new branch of Pony Club was formed. When Rachael Blackmore visited Araglen Pony Club Camp last week, she was in awe at the facilities - two beautiful arenas and one so aptly named ‘An Meitheal Mor’ (signifying the great gathering of help in completing this new arena) and lots of green open spaces for jumping, cross-country, dressage and schooling. Rachael took loads of questions from the children and they weren’t shy. She spent an hour taking pictures and signing their Pony Club gear.
In her address to all present, Bridget Leddy said that we are all too aware of the history of Araglen Pony Club, but very few knew the generosity of John Joe. Just like the ethos of the late John Hume, John Joe acted in similar fashion, ensuring that all children from all backgrounds, horsey or not, got the same chance.
She continued by saying that she had no doubt this was one of the reasons why the club is so strong and vibrant today and sincerely thanked John Joe for all he had done and, 32 years later, it hadn’t been forgotten.
Huge benefits
Peter O’Donoghue concurred with Bridget by adding that, as a former Pony Club member himself, he was so aware of the huge benefits it brought to children. He said the club had produced many fine jockeys in the past and, looking at the numbers at Camp, he had no doubt that there were more to come.
He was full of praise for John Joe and his equals saying that the presentation to John Joe was a fitting tribute to a gentle ambassador, a great community man and a true inspiration to all volunteers working with allegiance in organisations similar to Pony Club.
Araglen Pony Club, in acknowledging John Joe’s contribution, asked Rachael Blackmore to present John Joe with a beautiful piece of Genises so aptly named ‘job done’. It was a fitting gift.