The pony club in Britain is split into 19 areas, with a number of branches in each area. Glenrothes PC is part of Area 1, which stretches from Orkney Isles to the north of the Forth and Clyde rivers. The rest of Scotland is in Area 19. There are opportunities to compete against other branches, which are outlined below and as soon as qualifying events are published, we will provide links to them on this page.
Grassroots
Grassroots teams consist of 4 members and has 3 elements – tack and turnout, a team dressage test and a handy pony round. Handy pony tasks can include dismounting, jumping through a hoop and getting back on again, or hanging up some washing while on your pony. Members can be any age to compete in a senior team but must be 10 or under to compete in a Teeny Weeny Team. Last year’s results were:
T&T – Glenrothes 3rd senior team
Dressage – Glenrothes 3rd senior team
Handy pony – Glenrothes 2nd senior team
Overall – Glenrothes 3rd senior team
T&T – Glenrothes 6th Teeny weeny
Dressage – Glenrothes 5th Teeny weeny
Handy pony – Glenrothes 5th Teeny weeny
Overall – Glenrothes 6th Teeny weeny
Caroline’s Cup
The Caroline’s cup is a combined training (Show jumping and Dressage) competition. Again, this competition is aimed at less experienced members who are not yet ready for Area qualifiers. Members compete in teams of 4, with the best 3 scores to count. Each member performs an individual dressage test followed by a showjumping round – this year heights are from x-poles to 80cm.
Last year’s results: Class 3 introduction to dressage 2019 & 60cm Lucy 4th overall, Rosie 5th. Both rode beautiful dressage tests and were double clear in the jumping. Juan and Jaimie had a great 1st competition on new ponies but sadly had one pole down each.
Area Qualifiers
Formally known as interbranch. Branch teams compete in their areas at dressage, showjumping and eventing at different levels: Grassroots (80cm), Novice (90cm), Intermediate (1m) and open (1.10m) as well as tetrathlon to qualify for the championships or regional finals. Teams consist of 4 members with the best 3 scores to count. Members can also compete and qualify as individuals. This year there will be a mini Area 70cm SJ and 70cm short XC competition
If successful in the Area Qualifiers you go onto either the Regionals or Champs…….
Pony Club Championships – Successful teams from areas competing at Novice level and above and tetrathlon qualify for the Pony Club Championships where they compete against branches from the rest of the UK. Pony club championships also include polo, polocrosse, games and musical ride finals.
More can be found about Pony Club championships here https://pages.pcuk.org/championships/
More about Tetrathlon in Scotland
Tetrathlon is a team and individual competition organised by the Pony Club for its members. It comprises Shooting, Swimming, Running and Riding.
Competition levels progress with age. The Shoot involves shooting with air pistols at targets between 7 and 10 metres (under 8’s do not shoot), 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.
Spring Festival
Barrier Spring Festival 2024
From a Pony Club perspective, the main Winter and Spring Competition is the Barrier Spring Festival. In very straight forward language this is what it’s all about:
The Barrier Spring Festival Final 2023 Scotland & Northern Ireland is taking place 1st-3rd April 2023 at Morris Equestrian. You can qualify and choose to go or not to the Final depending on your family’s other commitments.
From a personal and club perspective the qualifying competitions are great for members to ‘practice their craft’, whether you come 1st or last is irrelevant as these events provide excellent opportunities to understand what’s expected at a Pony Club competition, observe and learn from your peers and to build confidence.
Here’s the link to all the information and the latest list of qualifying events
https://pcuk.org/members/ridden-competitions/barrier-spring-festival-scotland-northern-ireland/
Please speak with Alison, Dossie or Wendy for guidance or if you have any questions about rules.
If you need any more info, please get in touch with a Committee Member.
