Tetrathlon & Triathlons

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Team Manager: Rebecca Logan

I started riding when I was very young and was lucky enough to have my first pony called Sooty when I was four years old. I joined the Fitzwilliam Hunt Pony Club and took part in all disciplines the Pony Club offered on all three of the ponies I had during my time as a member.

I have represented the Fitzwilliam Pony Club at area trials and championships since I was 10 years old. The first time for me was on my second pony Jerry, who was in the Fitz for many years, and then I was very lucky to have an amazing pony called Aran who knew the eventing ropes and helped teach me.  We both represented the club at lots of events both in our area and outside our area.

As mum (Mini coach and former Chief Coach Lizzie Robinson) has always been involved in the Fitz, for my whole life I have been part of it too, helping mum set up, take down and do everything for the children to enjoy at all events, and my father always helped too.

I became tetrathlon team manager when the previous manager, Jayne Wagstaffe, stepped down. I used to take part in tetrathlons in my Pony Club days, although stopped latterly when I became more focussed on other disciplines. My son now regularly represents the Fitzwilliam in triathlon competitions.

For those interested in taking part in tri- or tetrathlon, there are swimming training sessions on Thursday evenings in the Oundle School pool. Shooting training comprising at least two sessions with a range master is a strict requirement for anyone taking part in competitions; we train with Sally Ann at her range at Hardwick. If anyone would like to so some shoot training please contact me and I can arrange a lesson.

What are Tetrathlon and Triathlon?

Tetrathlon is an exciting sport unique to Pony Club. It is similar to the Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon and if you are sporty and love to test yourself, it could be perfect for you!

In Tetrathlon you compete across four phases: air-pistol target shooting, swimming, running and cross-country riding. In a Pony Club Triathlon, the competition will include three of the phases – usually shooting, swimming and running. Points are given for achievement in each phase and the highest total is the winner. Though to win you need to be a good all-rounder, the challenge is to try to keep improving your own score – and to get fit and have fun whilst you’re doing it!

There are classes for all ages. Even under-eights can take part, by throwing beanbags at a target instead of shooting! The difficulty of each phase increases with each age group. The classes are:

Beanies – under 8 yrs

Intro – 8-9 yrs

Mini – 10-11 yrs

Junior – 12-14 yrs

Senior – 15-24 yrs  (for Area competitions and Champs, Senior is replaced by Intermediate and Open, any age allowed)

PONY CLUB COMPETITION STRUCTURE:  TRI & TETRATHLON

Branch Level

Many branches in our region organise their own Triathlons, which mainly take place during the autumn and winter.  Tetrathlons usually take part during the summer months.

Area & National Level

As with the other Pony Club sports, Triathlon and Tetrathlon have their own National Championships each year.

The Triathlon Championships is in late March.

Pony Club National Tetrathlon Championships usually take place in August.

Tet superstars might also be selected to represent Area 6 to compete against other PC Areas at the Inter-Area competition held in July at Aylesford Equestrian.

The Pony Club Tetrathlon International Exchange is an invitational competition occurring every other year, where members are selected to represent the UK and visit a host country to compete against other nations.