COACHES INFORMATION
NEW UPDATED SPUR POLICY
| The Pony Club has reviewed its spurs policy and introduced the following change: Members wishing to use spurs as an aid for enhanced rider-to-horse communication must now demonstrate both a thorough understanding of spurs and their proper use, as well as a secure lower leg position while riding. From 1 January 2025, riders who want to wear spurs must have successfully completed the C+ Riding Testor the updated Spurs Test. The Spurs Test must be assessed by an independent C+ or higher-level assessor, ensuring an impartial evaluation of the rider’s readiness to use spurs appropriately. In order to easily identify if a Member is able to wear spurs a yellow hat tag will be introduced, and it will be available as soon as possible. |
PONY CLUB GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF SPURS
Virtual ‘Safeguarding for Equestrians’ Sessions
These courses are designed for those attending their initial safeguarding course or refreshing their knowledge.
Continuous Professional Development
The Pony Club requires that, in order to remain on our register of coaches and teach at any Pony Club event, all coaches undertake development training at least once every 2 years. These courses below are organised within the area and all will count as a CPD refresher.
Please remember that ANY coach you use should be have a current DBS certificate and Safeguarding qualification. Please also stress to your members at this particular time that if they are having private lessons at home they should ensure that the coach/instructor has their own private insurance for teaching.
Coach Categories
“Pony Club Coach” – This includes coaches who have all certificates in place and in date.Disclosure check (DBS / PVG / Access NI), updated every three yearsSafeguarding course, updated every three yearsFirst aid qualification, updated as per certificateCPD, updated every two years
“Supervised Coach” – This includes those who are on the journey to become coaches, being mentored or where the PC coach’s first aid or CPD has expired.Disclosure check (DBS / PVG / Access NI), updated every three yearsSafeguarding course, updated every three years
**All coaches are required to have a disclosure check and safeguarding in place. If these expire, the coach should not be used until their certificates are back up to date.
Safe Guarding
Why not complete the online refresher in the comforts of your own home. This course is convenient for most in keeping your safeguarding up to date without having to attend another course during the cold and wet winter months. You can pause and return to the course at a later time depending on any time constraints or you can complete the course within a couple of hours. It is also accepted by other equestrian member bodies.
The online course takes around two to three hours to complete and can be paused, stopped and restarted at any time allowing you to fit the course around your daily life. You will receive an electronic certificate on completion of the course and can access resources for three years.
Cost: £25 per person
You can enrol for the online course today by following this link: http://events.pcuk.org/?page_id=2053
Please note: your face to face certificate must not have expired by more than 1 month before completing the online refresher.
Safeguarding training needs to be done every 3 years (refresher can be done face to face or online but has to be face to face every 6 years) by the following people:coaches;any individuals who carry out a role in regular regulated activity/work (first aiders need a DBS check but do not need to attend the Safeguarding Training);those staying overnight at residential camps.