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Cambridgeshire Hunt Pony Club (CHPC) Rallies.

We hold a huge number of rallies and training sessions throughout the year, catering for all ages and abilities. Venues include: Trumpington Hall, Tetworth Hall, Haggis Farm, Firs Farm and College of West Anglia (CWA).

From April to September we hold weekly Monday evening rallies. We also run a number of all day rallies at weekends and themed rallies on high days and holidays.

You can expect to work in small ability / age groups and rotate through flatwork, blocks and poles / show jumping and cross country exercises.

We aim to cover the majority of the Horse and Pony Care syllabus at rallies.

CHPC Mini Members (Age 11yrs and Under)

We have a dedicated mini program for members age 11yrs and under, ably lead by Delphine Tay, (mum and coach.)

We are currently running monthly mini rallies in an enclosed arena, alternating between Firs Farm and the College of West Anglia. We understand that mini members would like to have the option to jump or not. We ask that you make this intention very clear on the booking form.

In addition to mini rallies, all members are welcome to join any CHPC rallies or training sessions that are suitable for them. If you are not sure, please ask.

We have a ‘CHPC Minis’ WhatsApp group – a very supportive and friendly group of parents and care givers. It’s a lovely sub-community of CHPC. We will invite you to join the group when you become a member.

 

CHPC Teams.

For those members who would like to take part in one of our teams, we are inclusive, supportive and encouraging. In order to assess suitability, we like to see you and your pony / horse attending at least one rally or training session before a team competition. This is to ensure that you will be representing our Branch safely and happily.

This year we will be sending individuals and teams to show jumping, eventing, dressage, tetrathlon and polo Area competitions (see ‘Upcoming Training Opportunities’ link below) . Area competitions are progressive and those who are successful at Area level, may well go on to qualify for the National or Regional Championships.

This list is not exhaustive; if there’s an equestrian sport endorsed by the Pony Club that you love that is not on our list, we will always seek to help you to take part and train to succeed. Hopefully your enthusiasm will encourage more of our members to take part in your discipline as well.

There are many opportunities to represent CHPC in friendly competitions against neighbouring branches in all disciplines. For those competing at the highest level, there’s a chance to take part in prestigious team events such as the Area 8 show jumping team at Windsor, also CHPC show jumping teams at Blenheim and Burghley Horse Trials.

Care Training and Achievement Badges

CHPC runs weekly un-mounted Care Training through the winter months, in preparation for the Pony Club Quiz and Horse and Pony Care Competition which run annually. Both competitions are un-mounted Area competitions with qualification to National Finals for successful teams. These are open to all members, with age categories from mini to the most experienced seniors.

Kerry Norman, (mum and coach,) is in charge of CHPC’s Quiz and Horse and Pony Care training and is contactable through the committee via email: Cambridgeshire@PCUK.org

At rallies and camp you might find Achievement badge training incorporated into your coaching session. The Pony Club offers Mini Achievement Badges for our younger members, as well as equine and non-equine Achievement Badges at a higher level, for our older members.

Achievement badges are designed to help with efficiency tests. They cover topics such as first-aid, care of a horses foot, map reading, saddlery, road safety and grooming. Please find link below.

 

PCUK Efficiency Tests.

The Pony Club Training structure encourages members to take efficiency tests which enables them to learn progressively about horse and pony care and riding. They have been updated for 2024 with horse welfare the central theme and learning objective throughout.

The tests are aimed at age levels and are designed with related objectives in mind.

The Scales of Training (rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and collection) are an important theme that run through the Ridden Tests. Please see link for further details – http://pcuk.org/media/yynau5xe/the_scales_of_training

If you have any questions related to tests, please contact Emily or Frances.