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Tiverton Pony Club

Tests (E-A & Road Safety)
Last updated 1st Mat 2006

D+

These do not require formal training, and are usually taken during camp in the summer.

The recommended minimum age for these tests is 8 or 9.

(The "E" test is a Tiverton Pony Club innovation for younger riders, click here for more info)

C+

These require some formal training, and both riding and stable management rallies are held. Recommended ages are:

• C test : 11 or 12
• C+ test: 14.

The C+ test is optional, you can tackle the B test without having done it. However you cannot tackle the C+ (or B) tests unless you have passed both C and Road Safety tests.

Please phone the DC for C/C+ test details.

You must pass the Road Safety test before you are actually awarded your C test certificate - see below.

Horse & Pony care

B

Riding

A

Horse & Pony care; and Riding

The standard required for these is very high, and a considerable amount of study and practical experience is required to take them.

For the B test:

• You must be 14 or over, and 15/16 is recommended.
• You must have passed the C test (but not necessarily C+, which is optional)
• You must have passed either the Pony Club or the BHS Road Safety Test

For the A test:

• You must be 17 or over
• You must have passed both parts of the B test
• You must pass the Horse & Pony Care section before attempting the Riding one

Generally training is organised at the area level: please contact the DC if you are interested.

"The aim of the Riding and Road Safety Test is to promote safety on the road by recognizing riders who can show that they ride with courtesy and responsibility, are aware of, and obey the law, the Highway Code and The Pony Club or British Horse Society Riding and Road Safety Manual."

Click here for the formal requirements of this test as given on the UK Pony Club website.

Realistically you need to be at least 12 years old to take this test, which is made up of three parts:

• Theory: You have to have a good knowledge of the Highway Code, recognise road signs and markings. You must also demonstrate that you have a firm grasp of the safety issues involved with riding a horse on the public road. This is tested formally by a written paper, and you will not be able to proceed to the practical phases unless you score a good mark.

• Practical #1 (in a field). Tack inspection. Then negotiating a simulated road course in a field to a standard that convinces the examiner that you are safe to proceed to the second practical phase on the real road. This means demonstrating some of the techniques such as mounted on the "wrong" side, junctions, negotiating parked cars, that you will need to have mastered; and also coping with simulated hazards such as road works. Fail this and you cannot proceed to the second practical phase.

• Practical #2 (on the road). You will have to demonstrate that you can ride correctly on the public highway.

These tests are taken exceedingly seriously, and examined to a high standard: generally a pass requires a score of 80% or better in all three phases.

There is no way you will pass this test unless you have attended the formal training sessions, which are organised by Mrs Pam Roffe-Silvester (01884 820994). Please contact her directly for details. (Note that she organises tests for Area 15 Pony Club, not just the Tiverton branch, and that she can also run BHS tests.)

These are a range of badges that are intended to be a fun way of acquiring a greater knowledge of Horsemanship and general countryside matters. They are taught and awarded at specific rallies, and a selection of the badges, which are designed to be sewn onto sweatshirts or bags, is given below.

Click here for the Pony Club website page listing all the badges.

	Bandaging and rugs
	Feeding
	Mucking out
	Handling & Grooming
	Points of the Horse
	Saddlery & Tack

To know how to say "thank you" to motorists.

To know the correct locations for bridle, saddle and head-collar.

To be able to name and locate mane, tail, withers, hoof, knee and hock.

To know that a pony kept at grass requires extra food in winter, and fresh water at all times.