Pony Club members from the Braes of Derwent South club have visited Kynren in Bishop Auckland for a special experience to learn about how the award-winning production cares for its horses.
The cavalry team at Kynren guided 80 people from the youth group around the state-of-the-art stable yard and grounds of the live action night show in County Durham, with opportunities to ask the experienced volunteers about their roles, duties and, of course, the horses.
Laurie Robinson, director of cavalry and estates at Kynren said: “It was wonderful to welcome the Pony Club here. They had lots of interesting and insightful questions, and our volunteers did a fantastic job answering these to inspire the members further.
“Being onsite means they could really soak up the atmosphere of a working yard which is often full of action, as well as witnessing firsthand the horses in training as we prepare for the rest of our Saturday night shows.”
Pony Club is a unique youth organisation giving young people aged four to 25 opportunities to participate in equestrian sports like dressage, showjumping, eventing and polo among many more.
Alex Emmerson, District Commissioner, Braes of Derwent South Pony Club, said: “All our members found the visit fascinating. Practical demonstrations and the explanations provided a wonderful insight into the show, in particular the cavalry team. The visit has inspired many of our older members to look into becoming involved in the show. A big thank you from the Braes Derwent South for this opportunity.”
The children and young adults also heard from David Turner-Richardson, Kynren’s expert carriage driver, who commands the six-horse carriage carrying Queen Victoria in the new Jubilee parade scene, which has been completely updated for 2025, and the powerful four horse Roman chariot.
David said: “We take immense pride in our wonderful cast of horses and we all love being part of the team here that gets to look after and nurture them. I’m sure the recent visit will have inspired a few future cavalry volunteers and maybe even a Roman charioteer or two!”
Horses live onsite year-round at Kynren and are cared for by the dedicated cavalry team. Rare breeds including a grey shire horse call Kynren home, as well as Major, a highland pony who recently joined the cast and was a firm favourite amongst the Pony Club members.
During the 90-minute action-packed show which transports audiences through 2,000 years of history, myth and legend, horses feature regularly including riding in procession, Medieval jousting and driving carriages in multiple scenes depicting England’s past.
The horses join a cast of animals, including cattle, sheep, and geese, which can be seen in the Saturday evening shows, to highlight how animals have always been a part of human history and have walked alongside us through the ages.
Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren, who is also a jouster in the show amongst other roles, said: “Providing opportunities for volunteers of all ages – from just five years old up to 88 – to develop new and valuable skills is central to Kynren’s ethos. In turn, sharing experiences like this with organisations is one way the team at Kynren can extend their skills, talent and learning into our local communities.”
Kynren is a real whistlestop tour of 2,000 years of history myth and legend. It is a spellbinding, family-friendly experience delivering thrills, shocks, tears, laughs, goosebumps and gasps on a truly cinematic scale.
The 90-minute performances start at sunset and end in starlight and will be taking place every Saturday night until 13th September. Tickets cost from £30 for adults and from £20 for under 18s. Children aged 3 and under are free when sat on an adult’s knee.
For further information and to book tickets, click here.