Ribbons or Rope

Top 11 Uses of Pony Club Ribbons by the Douglas Family



Every time I do a bit of a toy/object pick up off the floor (not that often) there appears to be a family of ribbons breeding behind the couch as there always seem to be more than last time, despite our many uses of them. I always said I could write a book called “101 uses for pc ribbons” but now that I’ve tried I have only got to 10. Guess I need to think of another book idea hey? Anyway, I really doubt we have so many due to my children’s riding talent, just the sheer fact we have been members of pony club in this generation for 8 years now and we have a very generous club that loves to hand out well deserved ribbons to encourage great riding.

On winning a ribbon, some families carefully roll each prize; carefully enclose them into zip lock bags for safe travelling home and display in the pool room/bedroom on pretty coat hangers or bed quilt form; it never makes to the deserving neck of the nag in case it gets dirty. Sadly the Douglas family lacks all dignity in this respect and ours get tied to the horse/saddle/mother/ truck bull bar and shipped home in some form for the following uses.


1. Moth fodder – I continue to find long lost suitcases of the good old felt ribbons from the Mitchell Show and various camp drafts that have now all sadly seen better days. In those days winning one really did mean something from what I can gather but sadly, these ones, like their owners have been returned to mother earth.

2. Grass reins - Middle child was having incredible trouble wheeling her new pony around the show ring and after she almost collected an important NZ horse judge, the most lovely lady quickly made her a set of grass reins (sort of rope to stop horse from putting head down to nibble at green grass) out of some show ribbons!


3. Dog leads when 2 or more are tied together. Has also been made into make shift halter lead on several occasions when a few spare ones were needed and found in the truck after pony club events.


4. Dress up props- From belts to scarves to necklaces to being wound up legs for the Egyptian look…possibilities only as big as the child’s imagination.


5. Sibling/child restraints when playing ‘rescue the kidnapped’ etc and no this idea was not inspired after readying 50 shades. But if were that way inclined you could add your own use here.


6. Garden ties for staking tomatoes, trees and what ever else takes you fancy. Bright ones are also good for scaring away birds from vege seedlings for the first few days. You will also often find them tied around trees as decorations, particularly at Christmas.

7. Paddock markers for identifying locations. Great to tie to trees, fences etc to mark a spot. Last year used often after the flood, favourite one was to show husband where ‘lost’ quad bike was after it was washed out of the back of the ute on the other side of the river. He couldn’t find it…it was only 1.6km further down stream, from where the ute was parked, what was his problem??


8. Rope for tying to the hills hoist clothes line for kid spinning (yes we still have one of those and my kids still do this despite the dint I put in it as a child)


9. Hair ribbons for sports days- big and bright in team colours. Also make awesome pompoms that don’t rip and run like crape paper.


10. Mascot making for school sports days- we have a ‘green grub’ made from many green ribbons sewn onto calico that makes the annual trek to our sports muster.


11. Mummy’s mad dressmaking for fashions of the field at the pony club dog races…a classic!