Early in 1982, a small group consisting of 9 riders and 7 ponies began to meet and hold a gymkhana in a little paddock in South Ulverston. Those riders were Helen Dent, Beverley Frankland, Sandra Braithwaite Cathleen Brown, Brian Fell, Helen Cargil, Pat Watson, Hilary Frankland and Jennifer Wheeler.
Each time a few more riders would turn up, so it was decided to see if a riding club could be formed. A meeting was held in St Jules Hall, South Ulverston and a club was formed. The name Ulverston and District Equine Club (Equi Club) was thought up by Mrs Pat Wilson. A competition was held to design a Logo and was won by Beverley Frankland, the same Logo is on the centre of our Rosettes today.
It was decided that the Equi Club was to be for the riders of Ulverston who had no transport to go to shows out of town. Were too old for Pony Club, and the older rider with family ponies who simply wanted to ‘have a go’. Through the generosity of local people allowing us to use their land we were able to meet once a Month and gradually our oil drums and crates, gave away to ‘proper jumps’ of a reasonable standard (although a strong wind often caused problems)
Our riders began to ask for Best Turned Out and Equitation classes and today we can boast of a very high standard in both. During 1983, some of our founder members, cajoled, bullied, or simply nagged, some local Business people to present the club with a trophy or two. The result being that we have a fine array of Cups and Trophies, which our members compete for, sadly many of the donors have since ceased to trade.
At the end of the first year, we had a presentation at Hillfoot Hotel and the prizes were given out by Mr Tom Jackson, who give us our first Best Turned Out Cup. 1986, was a worrying time for the Equi Club, as most of the land was being used for development. Fortunately, Councillor Bill Cubin came to out rescue. In asking the South Lakeland District Council to rent us some land andwe went to Fitz Bridge.
1991, We opened the club to riders who lived in the LA12 area (Quite a large one) and this boosted out membership. 1992, it was evident that Fitz Bridge was getting too small, as most of our members now had their own transport. We were also victims of vandalism to out jumps etc, and the Council had taken half the land for waste soil dumping, At the AGM, Mrs Vivien Greenhow, offered us the use of facilities at Newlands Green Equine Centre, and in the year 2000; our 18th season we were still there. Some of our earlier members have brought their children and others have gone on to greater things. The first rule of the Club is as always to HAVE FUN! We do have some Honorary Members. Our first was Pat Watson. Then a few years later in 1996 Fred and Joyce Errington, Norman and Barbara Braithwaite were approved.
2001, Was a very bad year due to a very bad outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.
2003, We are still at Newland Green (Thanks to Vivian Greenhow) and our Membership is still open to anyone. We did however lose our last Founder Members, Norman, and Barbara Braithwaite.
In 2023, after 30 fantastic years at Newland Green, our club shows moved onto the North Lonsdale Showground at Lindal Cote Farm, courtesy of Mr & Mrs J Sharp. This gave us a fantastic opportunity to expand our show rings, for all our competitors to enjoy.
In 2024 we want to remind all our members and competitors that all our shows are ‘Open to all Shows’.
In 2024 UDEC are affiliated with EQUIFEST, NCPA PONY OF THE YEAR SHOW & STARS Open competitors can qualify for EQUIFEST/NCPA, however only Club Members (registered prior to first show) will qualify for the points they achieve towards our Club Points and STARS Points representing UDEC. Avril and the committee are excited to welcome you all to the fields for a fun year ahead.