Pony Club

Pony Club teaches horse managment and riding while keeping the pony and rider comfortable, happy, and safe. When a rider enters a club the are "Un-Rated" then when they are ready they can move up through the ratings startings with D-1. When they are ready to compete and are competent enough to care for thier horse without constant adult help they can attend regional rallies. If they are old enough, have achieved a high enough rating, and done well enough at an particular rally they may continue on to Nationals. I'm a C-2 and I have qualified for games on my trainer's pony, I've also qualified for Dressage on Frosty, which I plan to attend with him! This site should explain almost everything you want to know (or will when its done its still underconstruction!) but if you have any questions feel free to ask me on my message board!

All info taken directly from the current USPC Standards of Proficency.

Riders begin at the D-1 level and move up through the levels till they reach A's.

The D Ratings are an introduction to the fun and challenge of riding, establishing a foundation of saftey habits of knowledge of the daily care of a pony and tack. The D-1 through D-3 Pony Club Memeber learns to ride independently and with control, maintaining a reasonably secure position at the walk, trot, and canter, and over low fences. All D ratings are awarded at the club level

Riding Test Expectations

Candidate should ride without lead line, demonstrating basic balanced position in an enclosed area at the halt and walk, and control at the walk and trot.

HorseManagment Expectations

The candidate is a beggining level horse manager, willing to learn the simple routines of safe handling of quiet, well-trained horses. Knowledge will vary widely depending on age, education level, and experience.

Riding Test Expectations

Candidate should ride without lead line, demonstrating control, while maintaining a safe, basic balanced position at the walk and trot, and should begin to develop the canter and jumping position. No need to canter over fences.

Horse Managment Expectations

The candidate should be able to demonstrate simple skills, with assistance if necessary, and should understand the basic reasons for the everyday routines of caring for own pony.

Riding Test Expectations

Candidate should ride in a basic balanced position at the walk, trot, and canter. Candidate should maintain a secure base of support while developing balance and a steady position over fences.

Horse Managent Expectations

The candidate should be able to demonsrate simple skills without assistance, and discuss pony care, using common horse terms.

The C Pony Club memeber is learining to become an active horseman, to care independently for pony and tack, and to understand the reasons for what he/she is doing. The C shows development tworads a secure, independent seat, and increasing control and confidence in all phases of riding. The C-1 and C-2 ratings are awarded at club level. The C-3 is a regional rating and reflects basic competence in riding and horse care that will make possible a lifetime of pleasure with horses.

Riding Expectations

The candidate should ride with confidence and cotrol on the flat and over fences, demonstrating a basic balanced position and use of natraul aids. The rider should begin to initiate free forward movement, and begin to establish a light feel of the pony's mouth.

Horse Managment Expectations

The candidate should show a developing awarness of cause and effect in the care of own pony. He/she should be familiar with local common horse terms. Assistance is recomended in the demonstration of bandaging.

Riding Test Expectations

Candidate should ride with confidence and control on the flat and over fences, demonstrating a secure balanced basic position and progress to an independent seat and coordinated use of aids; should initiate free forward movement while developing asteady feel of the pony's mouth.

Horse Managment Expectations

Candidate should show a solid awarness of cause and effect in horse managment skills. Assistance/supervision is allowed in the demonstrations of bandaging, longeing, and loading a pony.

Riding Test Expectations

Candidate should ride in a basic balanced position, demonstrating coordinated use of aids, developed through an independent seat, and maintain free forward movement with smooth transitions and a steady light feel of the pony's mouth. Show confidence and control at all gaits and over fences.

Horse Managment Expectations

The candidate should achieve a level of competence to care for his/her pony in a manner thar will ensure comfort and health, and knowing when and where to turn for help if needed. He/she should also have the ability to explain stable and veterinarian routine to D-Level Pony Club Members.

The 'B' rating is for the active horseperson and pony club memeber who is interested in inquireing more knowledge and proficency in all phases of riding and horse care. The B is able to ride expirenced horses with confidence and control on the flat, over fences, and in the open, and should be able to care for another person's expirenced horse, maintaining proper mental and physical condition without undoing any of the horse's education. The B is able to understand and explain the reasons for what he/she is doing and to contribute to the education of younger Pony Club memebers.

Riding Test Expectations

Candidates should demonstrate an independent seat and efective tactful use of aids on the flat and over fences. Candidates should ride each horse forward while establishing and maintaining a regular pace with the horse accepting the aids; to be confident with coping with disobediences; be able to explain the application and reasons for aids and discuss the basic principle of Dressage.

Horse Manangment Expectations

Candidates must demonsrate sound judgement and maturity in the care of horses and equipment and an understanding of the reasons for what they are doing. They must show, thourgh discussion, knowledge of veterinarian care, longeing, and teaching principles.

The 'A', the highest rating, is divided into two parts: the H-A/H which covers horse managment, teaching, and training, and the A, which tests the riding phase. The H-A/H has the knowledge, expirience, and maturity to evaluate and care for a horse's needs efficently and in a variety of circumstances and teaching riding and horse care to others. The A is able to ride horses at various levels of schooling with judgement, tact, and effectiveness, to train young horses and to retrain spoiled horses.

Candidates must demonstrate a sound knowledge of horses, thier care, equipment, and training requirments. They must be able to teach stable managment and conduct mounted lessons, showing an understanding of saftey practices and teaching techniques appropriate for different age levels. They must demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions about all aspects of running a barn, including daily routine and emergency procedures.

Candidates must be able to ride different horses at various stages of training, displaying a confident, consistent, and effective preformance on each. Candidates must demonstrate confidence and tact on a schooled, green, or spoiled horse, discuss and/or demonstrate schooling techniques required for each horse, and display knowledge of the proper use of natural and artifical aids.

The following chart is also taken from the USPC Standards, it shows the hieghts and width each level is expected to be able to jump.

Rating Hieght Width at Top (XC, SJ) Width at Base (XC, SJ) D-2 18" 1', 1' 1'6", 1'6" D-3 2'6" 2'6", 2'6" 4'3", 4'3" C-1 2'9" 2'9", 2'9" 4'3", 4'3" C-2 3' 3'3", 3'3" 4'7", 4'11" C-3 3'3" 3'11", 3'9" 5'3", 5'7" B 3'7" 4'7", 4'3" 6'7", 6'3" A 3'9" 5'3", 4'9" 7'10", 6'11"

The standards are just basic summary of what is expected at each level of riding. To see the indivual tests that must be completed by each level you can view the following flow charts (these links are directly to the flow charts provided by USPC and can be acessed by going through thier web page www.ponyclub.org) D FlowChart C FlowChart B FlowChart A FlowChart

For more info or clubs in your area you can visit USPC