Tests and Trainings 2026

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Area 5 Tests and Trainings 2026

This page lists all the Area 5 arranged Tests for the year.
It does not list the associated trainings, those can be found on the Area 5 Calendar.

Please use the Calendar to book onto trainings in preparation for your Tests

Area 5 Lunge Test – 17/01/26

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-lunge-test-wales-region/

About this Rally

The Lunge Test must be held before a member may take the B+ or AH test. The member will be test tested on safety, welfare technique and theory.

Nomination Form here … 

Area 5 B & C+ Care Test – 30/03/26

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-c-and-b-test-care-only/

About this Rally

The Pony Club Training structure encourages members to take tests which enables them to learn progressively about horse and pony care and riding. The tests are taken at recommended ages and are designed with certain objectives in mind

C+ Recommended Minimum age: 13 years

B Recommended Minimum age: 14 years

B Nomination Form here … 
C+ Nomination Form here … 

Area 5 B+ Test – 31/05/26

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-b-test-1/

About this Rally

Full details of the Test here …

B+ Nomination Form here … 

Area 5 Lunge Test – 12/07/26

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-lunge-test-12th-july-20260712/

About this Rally

The Lunge Test must be held before a member may take the B+ or AH test. The member will be test tested on safety, welfare technique and theory.

Nomination Form here …

Area 5 B & C+ Ride Test only – 19/07/26

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-b-and-c-care-test-assessment-ride-only-20260719/

Area 5 are hosting B Test Ride and C+ Ride Assessment.

NB All test care candidates must send a nomination form with their entry

B Nomination Form here … 
C+ Nomination Form here …

Area 5 C+ Test Complete 27/07/26

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-c-test-20260727/

About this Rally

The Pony Club Training structure encourages members to take tests which enables them to learn progressively about horse and pony care and riding.

This is the C+ Test, both horse and pony care and riding sections will take place on this day. Please see terms and conditions.

C+ Nomination Form here …

Area 5 B Test Complete – 01/09/26

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-b-test-care-and-ride/

About this Rally

Riders will be required to ride and assess other candidates’ horses for flatwork.

Riders will be expected to show consideration for safety when riding alone and in groups throughout the test.

Members will have knowledge of looking after a horse/pony in their care with supervision.

B Nomination Form here … 

Area 5 AH Test – 04/09/26

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-ah-test-20260904/

About this Rally

The Pony Club ‘AH’ Test stands alone as the highest Test of Horsemastership available in The Pony Club. It is a pre-requisite for the ‘A’ Test Riding, replacing the Horsemastership section of that Test.

AH Nomination Form here … 

Area 5 Training Update

January 2026

A Strong Start to 2026

Area 5 has launched into the new year with great energy and participation. With competitions quieter and many senior members about to head into university, college, or exam season, January provided an ideal moment to concentrate on lunging.

Our lunge training sessions were fully booked, with fantastic feedback from all who attended. It’s been a confident start to our 2026 training programme and a positive sign of the enthusiasm across the area.

Coming Soon: Online Training

💻 Zoom Training Series – Begins 9th February 2026

We are excited to introduce a new cycle of online Zoom sessions covering key elements of the B Test syllabus.
Perfect for C+ level members and above, these sessions offer:

  • Expert-led content
  • Interactive learning from home
  • Topic‑focused sessions you can book individually
  • Open access to members from all areas so get booking!

Full booking details and more information can be found on the Area 5 website.

https://branches.pcuk.org/area5/news/area-5-zoom-training-series-upcoming-dates-and-booking-details-announced/

AH Test Training – Industry days

March brings the start of our AH Test Training Programme, which includes two exceptional Industry Days:

📍 Day 1 – Twemlows Stud

A day dedicated to the AH Breeding Modules.
Lunch is included for all attendees.

Full booking details and more information can be found on the Area 5 website.

https://branches.pcuk.org/area5/news/area-5-ah-practical-training-31-03-26/

📍 Day 2 – Training with International Event Rider Michael Owen

Hosted at the yard of Michael Owen, this afternoon focuses on modules from the AH syllabus, including feeding, fitness, and competition horse management.

Full booking details and more information can be found on the Area 5 website.

https://branches.pcuk.org/area5/news/area-5-ah-and-b-practical-training-michael-owen-06-01-26/

Tests and Guidelines for 2026

A full list of Area 5 test dates for 2026 can be found on the Area 5 website. Please note closing dates are 1 month from the date to allow time to book and confirm the assessors and venues required.

Full booking details and more information can be found on the Area 5 website.

C+ Test and Spur Test Updates

As agreed last year:

  • Branches and centres may organise their own C+ and Spur Tests.
  • All relevant Pony Club guidelines to be followed.
  • The Area Representative must be involved before the test is booked, to support and oversee the process.
  • Area 5 will continue to run additional C+ Tests to support smaller branches and improve access for all (dates on the test page above).

C+ Test guidance for organisers is available in the Guide to Pony Club Training. Page 22&23

Spur Test national organisers guidance available in the resource hub.

https://resources.pcuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/National-Guidelines-Organisation-of-The-Spurs-Test-v.3.pdf

Area 5 Spur Test nomination trial

  • Area 5 will run several Area‑organised Spur Tests this year.
  • Members who wish to take part should complete the nomination form on the Area 5 website—
  • participation will be confirmed with the DC/proprietor, and then members will be offered tests dates.

This system is also being trialled in another area and will help us understand the demand and the best geographical locations for future tests

Area 5 – Spurs test expression of interest …

Step 1&2 Intro to Coaching Mentoring Sessions

Our Step course organiser Elspeth Carr will be coordinating some mentoring sessions for training coaches that have attended Area 5 courses in the last 2 years. Members will be invited by email to come together to reflect on their progress, coaching opportunities, challenges, and future development needs.

Any questions, help, guidance, comments or feedback please email:  Katy Powell – training.area5@pcuk.org

🌟Area 5 Training Update June 2026 🌟

Finally, the weather has improved, and we’ve seen a huge amount of activity across Area 5 Training!

✅ We recently held very successful B Test Horse & Pony Care and C+ Test Horse & Pony Care assessments at Clwyd Special Riding Centre. The standard of stable management was exceptionally high, and members commented on how valuable the series of Zoom training sessions had been in helping them prepare.  We held 7 Zoom Training sessions earlier this year with an average of 16 members joining each session, from Area 5, and all over the UK.

🐴 Our Area 5 AH Industry Days have also been a great success.
• A brilliant day at Twemlows Stud, where members gained a real insight into the day-to-day running of this busy stud delivering excellence at every stage of the breeding journey. Huge thanks to Edward Matson and his team for accommodating us.

  • A second inspiring day with international event rider Michael Owen, a former member of the Burton Cheshire Forest Pony Club. Members met his string of event horses, including the impressive Monbeg Darwin, and learned about his preparation for Badminton – covering feeding, fitness, tack and post & pre-competition care. Congratulations to Michael on a very successful Badminton completion!

🎓 Thank you to Elspeth Carr for organising another excellent Introduction to Coaching Step 1 course, at Conwy Community Riding Centre with kind permission of Wendy Tobias-Jones. Members enjoyed a morning of coaching theory followed by practical coaching opportunities, and are now looking forward to beginning their coaching journeys within their branches and centres.

📅 Looking ahead, we are excited for our upcoming B Test, C+ Test, and Lunge Test assessments this summer. See links to Area test dates below.

C+ Tests
Following last year’s agreement from head office, branches/centres can organise their own C+ and Spur Tests where there are sufficient participant numbers.

✅ All relevant guidelines must be followed – see below
✅ The Area Representative must be involved in the organisation and oversight before bookings are made.

📘 Find organiser guidance here:
👉 https://pcuk.org/the-guide-to-pony-club-training/

🌟 Spur Tests
Organiser guidance for Spur Tests is available here:
👉 https://resources.pcuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/National-Guidelines-Organisation-of-The-Spurs-Test-v.3.pdf

📍 Area 5 Organised Spur Tests
The next Area 5 Spur Test is 12th July.

🐴 Members must complete the nomination form on the website
🐴 Nominations will be confirmed with the DC/proprietor
📌 Booking Details and links

Area 5 Tests:

C+, B, AH, and lunge

Reminder that all Area 5 tests for the year ahead are listed here

https://branches.pcuk.org/area5/area-5-test-and-trainings/#lunge

Spur Test:

https://www.horse-events.co.uk/pony-club-rallies/area-5-spurs-test-12th-july-20260712/

Finally, any queries, suggestions, questions, or feedback please do not hesitate to email the training inbox: training.area5@pcuk.org