BLACKMORE AND SPARKFORD VALE PONY CLUB – TEAM SELECTION POLICY
Introduction
There are lots of opportunities for members – both riders and non riders – to get involved in team activities throughout the year and to represent our club at the Area 14 competitions and potentially the Pony Club Championships!
It is incredibly special to be part of a Pony Club team and we are always so proud to watch the members being so supportive of each other at team events. It is often commented on by other branches how sporting and encouraging the Blackmore and Sparkford Valechildren are – both to each other and other teams at the events.
The Area Competitions or ‘Areas’, involve individuals and teams competing against other PC branches within Area 14. Individuals and teams that do well at the Areas, can qualify for either the Pony Club National Championships at Offchurch Bury or the Regional Championships at Bicton, both of which are in August. They are highly prestigious and are considered to be the peak of the competitive year for all PC members.
The standard at all these competitions is high, so it is important that those representing the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale are both well prepared and capable of achieving the standard. For example, you should be prepared that for jumping classes the Championship heights can be up to 10cm higher than the class description – ie 90 will be 90cm at Areas but may be 1m at the Championships.
Selection Policy
The selection of teams and individuals for Area competitions and “friendlies” has been delegated to a sub-committee of the Chief Instructor, Nikki Forbes, alongside the discipline coaches and team managers, Katie Butler, Charlotte Plowman and Morgan Newman. The DC Veryan Gould is also involved. In terms of managing conflicts, for example, where one of the selectors has a child put forward for selection, the said selector will step aside from any decision relating to that child.
The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Pony Club committee is not involved in the selection process except when a matter is escalated to them by the selection committee for consideration. For example, if a decision of the selection committee has resulted in a parent lodging an objection. The principal objectives of the selection process are to ensure there is proper governance around the selection process and that the process operates as fairly and transparently as possible.
Please be aware that the selectors reserve the right to change any selected team up to the point of having to declare. For example, if the club is fielding one team of three and one team of four in a class and a member has to drop out from a team of three, the selectors have the right to transfer somebody from a team of four in order for two teams to be fielded rather than one team having to be withdrawn entirely. It is very important to us to be inclusive.
We will do our best to manage expectations during the selection process. Sadly, disappointment cannot always be avoided, but our brilliant team of instructors will help those who cannot compete this year have a plan for how to achieve it the following year.
If any member wishes to discuss the selection decision, the member is encouraged to speak to the Chief Instructor in the first instance as we believe in empowering our members to raise any concerns they have and to understand that they will be listened to and respected.
Parents may, if they feel necessary after this, contact the Chief Instructor. Any points raised may then be discussed with the selection committee and in extreme circumstances will be escalated to the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Pony Club Committee. However, ultimately the final decision rests with the Chief Instructor and the DC and must be respected – please remember that the decisions made are with all the members in mind.
Parents; please take a few moments to read the Parents Code of Conduct which can be viewed here: https://resources.pcuk.org/wp–content/uploads/2023/12/updated–code–of–conduct–for–parentsfinal–version–13092022.pdf – you will need your child’s membership number to be able to view this.
Selection Criteria
All members who can demonstrate a commitment to the branch and a desire to compete for the branch can put themselves forward for selection.
Members wishing to compete are expected to be active and participating Pony Club members
throughout the year. You can read the “3 Rally Rule” in full on the Area 14 page
(https://branches.pcuk.org/area14/) but in summary, you must have attended at least three rallies since the 1st July of the previous year to be eligible.
At the beginning of Spring all Blackmore and Sparkford Vale members will be invited to express their interest in representing their branch at Area Competitions. Please contact the Chief Instructor, Nikki Forbes, to register interest in their desired disciplines.
Selection will consider both the commitment of the individual to the club, their performance in previous competitions, at rallies and in training:
Other Points to Note:
If anyone is unable to fund their entry in the first instance, the DC or Treasurer can be contacted in confidence to discuss other options.
If you would like to put yourself forward for a team at the Area competitions – please check that you are available for the Championships should the team qualify BEFORE you put yourself forward for the Area competition. It is not fair on the other team members if you know you cannot attend, and the qualified team is left a member short which may mean they cannot compete themselves.
You must be a member of the branch at the closing date for entries – do not let your membership lapse at a critical moment!
You must also check you are eligible to compete at the level you want to enter. You can check this via the rulebooks here: https://pcuk.org/officials/rulebooks/
If you are representing the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale at any of these competitions, you are expected to stay, regardless of your own results, for the prize giving to support the other members of your team and club and to show your appreciation to the organisers. Prize giving is usually at the end of the day.
All Area and Championship competitions require that your horse/pony has been vaccinated correctly. Please familiarise yourself with the Pony Club Vaccination policy that can be found on the main Pony Club website here: https://pcuk.org/
Veryan Gould, District Commissioner
May 2024