Tetrathlon

Tetrathlon or ‘tet’ is a fun, competitive Pony Club sport that consists of swimming, running, shooting and riding. It is open to all ages with the youngest competitors starting as soon as they can swim at least 10m with a buoyancy aid, and tet is open to members up to 25 years old. The further you can swim in the time allowed, the more points you get. Running is cross country type running and takes place on grass or tracks, and the time it takes determines how many points are awarded. In the shooting, the youngest members (Beanies) start with throwing bean bags at a target but from the age of 8 an air pistol is used, working up to shooting a turning target, single handed, from a longer distance for older members. The higher the score out of a maximum of 1000, the more points are awarded. The riding section starts with riding over small fences in an enclosed space, working towards riding cross country over fences up to 1m at the highest level (Open) over more technical course. A maximum 1400 score is awarded for clear rounds within the time allowed, points being deducted for errors on the course.

The marks for each section are added together to determine the overall winner. Most competitors have a strong phase and a weak phase but it is the combination of scores that count which makes it a very inclusive sport.
Competitions include: a winter Triathlon series (tet minus the riding); the Minimus championships;
Regional/Area competitions; the
PC National Championships; and International competitions (for seniors i.e. Open and Intermediate level
only).