Dressage
Our members have qualified for many of the Pony Club Championships in dressage over the years eg at the National Championships and the Barrier Health Spring Festival Championships with both Individual and Team successes competing against other Branches from all other the UK. Competitions are held at Branch, Area and National Level and there is even the opportunity to take part in Dressage to Music!
We actively encourage the development of dressage for a younger members believing that dressage forms the fundamental building blocks for all equestrian sports, improving both the riders expertise and the health and trainability of the pony. As well as Novice, Intermediate and Open classes, the newly introduced Grassroots classes are perfect for the younger members or more novice combinations
Dressage is essential for the Gosling cup, ODE’s and Eventing
We hold regular training at Warrenwood during the winter months and also at our summer rallies at Northaw.
If you would like to train or represent the branch at Dressage, please contact Nieve Baker from our committee.
Eventing
The eventing dressage test must be ridden from memory (except at grassroots when the test can be commanded). This is followed by a Show Jumping round ending with the XC phase.
Members who are taking part in any O.D.E’s can ask to be included in the teams at the Area; this competition is a qualifier for the finals of the Nationals and regional competitions. The Pony Club Championships in August (the highlight of the Pony Club year) which features the finals of the Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, Polocrosse, Mounted Games and Dressage to Music, Horse and Pony Care and Tetrathlon . While the Grassroots Regional Finals are normally on the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
If you would like to train or represent the branch at Eventing, please contact Hollie Justice on our committee
Show Jumping
Show Jumping is where a horse and rider combination are tested over a course of colourful obstacles, known as fences, which can be easily knocked down if they are hit. The goal is to complete the course in the fastest time without getting any faults.
Faults are gained when a fence is knocked down, the horse stops at a fence (refuse) or the horse runs around a fence (run out).
Show Jumping can take place both indoors and outdoors, so is perfect to enjoy all year round.
Intended to demonstrate the horse and rider’s courage, athletic ability, precision, speed and partnership, your aim is to jump a clear round. If you manage to jump clear, you will go through to the second stage which is called a “jump-off”. A jump-off is a shortened course which is timed. The winner is the horse and rider with the least faults and the fastest time in the jump-off.
There are various levels you can jump at and you can go on to compete as an individual or as part of a team.
If you would like to train or represent the branch at Show Jumping, please contact Nieve Baker from our committee.
Mounted Games
Mounted Games is a team sport that combines a love of ponies and friends with various races. Teams of four or five riders and ponies take part in a series of exciting and exhilarating races that involve a mix of turns, handovers, skill, vaulting and galloping against other teams.
Often run on grass or all-weather surfaces, Mounted Games is an adaptation of Gymkhana and is great fun for you, your pony and your team. You can develop skills such as accuracy, agility, concentration, speed, hand to eye coordination, team work and sportsmanship whilst having lots of fun playing some thrilling games.
If you would like to train or represent the branch at Mounted Games, please contact Jo Gubb from our committee.
Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care
The competition features teams of three Members who demonstrate their knowledge and practical horsemanship skills taken from the Pony Club Efficiency Tests over a number of rounds.
Teams compete at their Area Competition with the aim to qualify for the Championships.
There are 3 Levels:
Minis: Questions to be based on the Care section of the E, D and easier parts of the D+ Efficiency Test cards and Mini Horsemanship Achievement Badges. At the Championships a small number of questions will cover all of the D+ syllabus.
Juniors: Questions to be based on the Care section of the D, D+, C and easier parts of the C+ Efficiency Test cards and Horsemanship Achievement Badges. At the Championships a small number of questions will cover Advances Achievement Badges and all of the C+ syllabus.
Seniors: Questions to be based on the Care section of the C+, B and AH Efficiency Test cards. Questions at AH Test level should be used sparingly as not all Branches/Centres will have AH Test level competitors.
Please see the Horsemanship Rulebook on the right for more clarification of this competition.
If you would like to attend training, look out for the ‘Club Night’ bookings on the calendar and speak to Sally Hawes from our committee if you would like to represent the branch
Tetrathlan & Triathlon
Tetrathlon is a team and individual competition comprised of Shooting, Swimming, Running and Riding. It is a variant of, and major recruiting ground for the Olympic sport Modern Pentathlon. Competition levels progress with age. The Shoot involves shooting with air pistols at targets between 7 and 10 metres, the Swim is the distance swum in 2 to 4 minutes, the Run is normally cross country over a distance of between 1000m and 3000m, and the Ride is over a cross country course, the most exhilarating phase for many.
Enfield Chace has it’s very own shooting range and is able to conduct shoot practices at Northaw.
Classes are arranged as follows:
Open (25 and Under)
Intermediate (25 and Under)
Junior (14 and Under)
Minimus (11 and Under)
Tadpoles (9 and Under)
Beanies (7 and Under)
Tetrathlon punches well above its weight in terms of fun, inclusiveness, team ethos, training, parties, voluntary parent involvement, International competitions and exchanges, the development of enduring, geographically widespread friendships and the commitment until the last minute possible of many senior Pony Club members.
If you would like to train or represent your branch, please contact Nicloa Biggs from our committee.
Pony racing
Pony Racing mirrors the Horse Racing you see on the television. Held on licenced racecourses across the UK (such as Ascot and Cheltenham), pony racing allows Pony Club members to experience the thrill and experience of racing – but on ponies!
Members wishing to give pony racing a go must be aged 9 years old on 1st January (in the current calendar year) and can race up until the day of their 17th birthday.
The ponies taking part must be aged between 5 and 20 years old and be fit and sound to race. They must also measure no more than 148cm.
The Pony Club works closely with The Pony Racing Authority (PRA), pony racing’s governing body, to provide young people with opportunities to race in point-to-point and the Racecourse Series.
Enfield Chace has a number of members that are keen Pony Racing Jockeys. Please speak to Sam Holliday to find out more.
Tests & Training
The Pony’ Club Training structure encourages all members to take efficiency tests (E to A) which enable them to learn progressively about horse and pony care and riding. The training is fun and much of it is covered at working rallies and camps. The E test is optional , but all the other tests must be taken in sequence. However older riders who have joined may start with the D+ test.
It’s worth noting that C+ Efficiency tests have been used as the ridden section of several members Sports Science GCSE & skills or physical section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award!!
Efficiency Test (E to A)
E Test, D Test, D+ Test, C Test, Road Riders Test, C+Test, B Test – Horse & Pony Care, B Test – Riding, B Test – BHS exemption, Coaching Certificate, Lunging Test, AH Test, B+ Test and A Test.
Enfield Chace provides weekly training: can be found on the calendar under ‘Club Night’, their are various nights per age category:
Minis’ – under 8 yrs of age
Juniors – 9 – 12 yrs of age
Seniors – 13+ yrs of age.