Guidelines for Attending Rallies / Competitions

WHAT TO WEAR – all Members to read please

Jewellery: the wearing of any sort of jewellery when handling or riding a horse/pony is NOT recommended and if done at any Pony Club activity, is done at the risk of the Member/their parent/guardian. However, to stop any risk of injury, necklaces and bracelets (other than medical bracelets) MUST be removed, as must larger and more pendulous pieces of jewellery (including those attached to piercings) which create a risk of injury to the body part through which they are secured. For the avoidance of doubt a wristwatch, wedding ring, stock pin, worn horizontally and/or tie clip are permitted. It is recommended that stock pins are removed for cross country.

Show-jumping and Dressage competitions / Tests:

5. A tagged hat properly fastened (plain & dark hat silks if worn).
6. White, fawn, beige or canary jodphurs or breeches.
7. A traditional styled jacket – tweed / hacking or blue or black.
8. Shirt with a collar and a Pony Club tie or stock (white or cream with a black / blue jacket or coloured with a tweed jacket) in hot weather when you might be allowed to remove jackets make sure that your shirt has sleeves to at least your elbows; preferably long-sleeved
9. Riding gloves. (not compulsory for show jumping competitions or xc)
10. Pony Club badge on left lapel of jacket.
11. Black or brown riding boots or jodhpur (short) boots which may be worn with plain (no tassels) chaps or gaiters of the same colour as the jodhpur boots.
12. Hair – must be tied back securely, in a safe manner to reduce the risk of hair being caught and to prevent scalp injuries. If long enough, it is strongly advised to have hair in a hair net or ‘put up’ in the hat,
13. If raining, then a dark coloured short coat may be worn.

Cross-country Rallies / Hunter trials or XC phase of an event:

1. As above except the jacket may be replaced with cross-country colours e.g. long-sleeved sweatshirt or rugby shirt (not a hoody!).
2. You should not wear a stock pin or P.C. badge when riding cross-country but should still wear a tie or stock.
3. Body protector, and medical armband if you have one.

Sport Coaching:

1. As above except the jacket may be replaced with CVFHPC skins / polo shirt (no hoodies).

Stable Management Rallies:

1. Jodphurs / breeches – any colour, but not bright or garish (!)
2. Riding / jodhpur boots as above or yard boots (not trainers or sandals).
3. CVFH Pony Club sweatshirt / skins / polo shirt. (plus a warm coat if cold weather!)
4. Riding hat and gloves.
5. Hair tied neatly if below collar i.e. ponytail or plait.

RALLY / COMPETITION CHECKLIST

1. Bridle – brown or black; leather is recommended.
2. Relevant bits (check Pony Club rule books for permitted bits).
3. Martingale (if worn – only one of Irish, Standing, Running or Bib allowed and NONE for dressage).
4. Whip(s) if used – for show/ cross country jumping must be between 45 and 75 cm in length and must have a padded contact area – please see current rule books; ‘schooling’ whips may be used only in dressage and lower levels of eventing dressage. Spurs – if worn, must comply with Pony Club rules.
5. Breastplate (if worn).
6. XC surcingle / overgirth (recommended for XC but not compulsory).
7. Neckstrap – a stirrup leather will do; recommended if no martingale used, required for cross-country (for all levels).
8. Saddle (!) – black or brown.(General Purpose/Jumping/Dressage)
9. Saddlecloth / numnah – any solid colour is permitted (preferably dark or white). Contrasting piping is permitted. If going for a long day or eventing, then take spares.
10. Girth (!); take a spare.
11. Brushing boots (if used) and insulating tape for added security.
12. Overreach boots (if used).
13. Stud kit (if used – don’t forget to ask your farrier to put stud holes in your pony / horse’s shoes when he comes; think about what you will be doing between the farrier’s visits).
14. Travel boots / bandages. – including tail bandage.
15. Rugs – don’t forget it can rain and/or get cold even when sunny in the morning.
16. Buckets and water.
17. Sponges and sweat scraper.
18. Haynets, with enough for the journey there and back (if used whilst travelling) and while pony / horse is standing on trailer / horsebox. It is advised that you do not leave your pony / horse tied to the outside of your vehicle unless someone is there all the time – usually much safer to leave pony / horse on board.
19. Grooming kit.
20. First aid kit – human and equine (know how to use everything in the kit and regularly check for anything out of date and replace when necessary).
21. Food and drink for humans – if going to an all-day rally or competition.
22. Dogs – if dogs are allowed (check any schedules/venues before you go) then they should always be on a lead (however well behaved around your horses); don’t forget your dog will need at least water during the day. Take poo bags to clear up after your dog.
23. Polos / horse treats – use as bribe or reward (and don’t forget it is always better to pat your pony and smile however bad the show jumping round or test – there is always another day!).
24. Human clothes – it may seem obvious but if you think the weather is changeable or you are riding where water is involved (eg cross-country) then take spare riding clothes and eg coats, jeans, shorts, jumpers (from experience early rainy mornings turn into baking hot days and vice versa!!)