Role of Parents

The Pony club is a voluntary youth organisation for young people interested in ponies and riding. It is a registered charity and is subject to regulation by the Charity Commission.

The Pony Club’s purpose is:

• To encourage young people to learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with ponies and riding
• To give instruction in riding and horsemanship and to educate Members to look after and take proper care of their animals
• To promote the highest levels of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty to create strength of character and self-discipline

All information regarding rules of The Pony Club, including hat and body protector rules, transfer rules etc can be found here: http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/parents_information/rules_of_the_pony_club/

Parents / Guardians should therefore:

• Be a positive role model for my child and other Members by respecting coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders; their authority and decisions; the rules regulations under which The Pony club operates.
• Agree to discuss disputes / appeals at a suitable, agreed time with the correct officials, within the appropriate level of The Pony Club organisation, without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Always remember that Pony Club activities are intended to be educational, safe and fun to benefit the Members rather than parents.
• Respect the property and equipment used in activities, considering safety uppermost in all situations.
• Be knowledgeable about the rules of the disciplines or competition their child is taking part in and encourage their child to know, to be familiar with, and follow these rules.
• Promote the physical and emotional well-being of their child, other Members and horses ahead of personal desire to win or succeed in an activity.
• Teach their child that taking part, learning and showing sportsmanship in all competitions, testing situations, clinics, etc are more important than winning.
• Praise all Members equally for trying hard and competing fairly.
• Inform officials as soon as possible it they or their child is unable to fulfil commitments or attendance in advance.
• Help their children and others to understand the satisfaction of co-operation, group work and team spirit in achieving personal goals and growth, and good results.
• Volunteer their services and skills, whether equine-related or not, whenever possible.

Parents / Guardians should not:

• Force their child or other members to take part in activities with which they are not comfortable.
• Disrespect the decisions of coaches / officials and volunteers concerning the skills and abilities of their child or other members.
• Undermine the authority of coaches / officials by interfering with, or coaching any Members from the sidelines.
• Dispute the decisions of coaches / officials and volunteers during an event or in front of their child, or other Members or parents
• Engage in or condone unsportsmanlike behaviours such as booing, taunting, using profane language, refusing to congratulate winners.