THE Pony Club, that bastion of equestrian society, celebrates its 76th birthday this year and there are riders in the two counties who will be forever grateful for its influence on their lives.

The Pony Club is an international voluntary organisation for youngsters interested in ponies and riding, and is now represented in 18 countries with a membership exceeding 110,477.

The club was formed in England in 1929 and was granted charitable status in 1997. It is the largest association of riders in the world and the majority of the successful ones have been members.

The Pony Club encourages young people to ride and learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with horses and riding.

It gives instruction in riding and horsemanship and educates its members to look after and take proper care of their animal, as well as promoting the highest ideals of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty to create strength of character and discipline

Alex Moyles, who lives in Colwall, near Malvern, is typical of one of the thousands of youngsters who have gained so much from the club.

Alex has recently passed her Pony Club A test, one of the organisation's top qualifications and hopes it will help her to establish a career working with horses.

The A test is the highest award to be given by the Pony Club and provides comprehensive examination in horsemanship, training young horses and handling mares and foals for senior members and associates.

Passing the test is a very worthwhile achievement and provides the foundation to specialise in any branch of equitation.

It is accepted by the British Horse Society as an exemption from stages three and four in riding and horse care examinations.

Other tests include the D standard for eight to nine-year-olds, which gives a basic understanding of ponies to achieve confidence as well as handling and riding a pony; the D plus standard for 10-year-olds which works towards developing a balanced seat, understanding elementary aids and how to apply them; the C standard for 11 to 12-year-olds to encourage them to understand the importance of working towards a seat independent of the reins, to apply simple aids correctly and to have a knowledge of the care and working of a pony off grass and to be in control on the roads and in the countryside.

The C plus standard is for 14-year-olds to become an educated and practical horseman, to ride over all paces, to gain practical experience and knowledge of the care of a pony at grass, to be capable of riding a well-mannered horse out hunting and in all Pony Club activities, to ride intelligently and with due care for others on the roads and in the countryside.

The B standard - riding - is for 15 to 16-year-olds to help them become an effective horseman, to ride over fences at all paces, to be capable of riding hunter trials, long distance riding and care of the pony afterwards.

The B standard - horse and pony care - aims to give the youngster practical experience and knowledge of care of a pony out at grass and to look after a pony during and after hunting or any other activity.

Alex said she found taking her A test quite daunting but agrees that it is the perfect foundation for her career.

"I feel proud that I achieved my pass because it is what I was working for a long time as a member of the Pony Club which I think is a great organisation. It has certainly helped me and I would encourage any youngster to join if they can."

Alex is half-way through her gap year between school and university and is "riding out" for point-to-point trainers Nicky and Matt Shepherd who are based at Eastnor, near Ledbury.

Alex goes to the yard early in the morning and prepares horses that are running that day by clipping, plaiting and washing them. With 25 fit horses in the yard to do, she realises that working with the animals is definitely not an easy option.

"Nicky prepares a rota each day telling us who is riding who and who is doing what," explained Alex.

"Normally, I ride one or two horses for an hour each but we are very fortunate to be able to ride in the Deer Park at Eastnor which is great. When we get back from the morning ride it's time to muck out and clean the yard which is very important.

"Yes, it is very hard work physically but it is extremely interesting and I love it."

Alex has already made several trips to the racecourse with Matt and Nicky.

"We got to Ludlow a good hour before the start because some horses get very wound up before racing and you have to calm them down," Alex said.

"They are led around for 40 minutes before going in the main parade ring. Then they are saddled up and the jockeys get on board.

"After the race you have to look after them particularly well, wash the horses off, check them thoroughly before feeding them and settling them down for the night."

Alex's ambition is to work with horses and pursue her own eventing career, maybe even taking part in the next Olympics Games.

"Horses are expensive creatures so I hope to combine my love for horses with owning a livery yard. I would love to bring horses on and then compete on them," she added.

Alex is planning to go to Cirencester Agricultural College where she hopes to study international equine management. The qualification will be the ideal platform for yard management.

Alex was bought her first horse when she was eight which enabled her to join the Pony Club, competing in team events and attending holiday camps.

As a teenager, she gained a tremendous amount of experience riding out for local trainer, Kate Green, and at 14 decided that she would like to specialise in eventing.

The Pony Club organises show jumping competitions, hunter trials, mounted games, tetrathlon and triathlon competitions, polo and polocrosse, racing and cross-country team events.