The Pony Club is a voluntary organisation founded in England in 1929. It has now expanded internationally and Pony Club branches can be found worldwide. It is one of 16 organisations that form the British Equestrian Federation. The Pony Club was granted independent charitable status on 1 January 1997, and there are around 330 branches and 480 centres in the UK. The Pony Club has been the starting point for a large majority of equestrian team members and medal winners.