Important Pony Club Health and Safety

Hat Regulations have changed and all hats must be hat tagged before you commence your ride , there will be a committee member available to do this , please see new hat standards if you unsure or if you about to purchase a new hat – Click here to download the PDF.

Please can all members check that the width of stirrups are correct for your child / children, they must have a 7mm clearance on either side of the boot, and if possible although not compulsory that they are a “safety” stirrup.

Body Protectors must be worn for any XC or ODE training please ensure these are professionally fitted and up to the correct standard, I have attached the guidelines for you to read.  Sarah Garlick is a qualified Charles Owen / airowear fitter and will be happy to check if you have any concerns, she can’t do air jackets, but the pony club does not recommend these for use in group rides. Click here to download the PDF..

Pony Club have withdrawn the use of “humane girths” please be aware of this and if you have one please replace it, pony club have decided that there is a considerable risk with using these.

Medical Armbands are recommended at all times, including hacking on roads, and are compulsory for all Cross Country riding, Pony Racing and for Endurance rides.

Only standard riding or jodhpur boots with a fairly smooth, thin sole and a well-defined square cut heel may be worn. Plain black or brown half chaps may be worn with jodhpur boots of the same colour. Tassels and fringes are not allowed. No other footwear will be permitted, including wellington boots, “muckers” or trainers. There is a tendency for manufacturers to put a treaded sole on riding boots. These will significantly increase the risk of the foot becoming trapped in the stirrup in a fall which could result in serious injury. Boots with interlocking treads are not permitted, nor are the boots or treads individually.

When mounted at Pony Club activities, Members should wear a riding jacket or Branch sweatshirt, jodhpurs, a suitable plain-coloured shirt with a collar and The Pony Club tie. New clothing is not expected, but what is worn must be clean, neat and tidy. Jeans should not be worn when mounted except when specifically allowed by certain disciplines. Polo shirts in Branch colours are allowed to be worn at rallies and at camp, however long sleeves should be worn for all jumping activities.

No jewellery is allowed for safety reasons, other than a wristwatch, a wedding ring, a stock pin worn horizontally or a tie clip. It is recommended that stock pins are removed for Cross Country. Members who are contemplating piercing their ears or any other part of their body should be aware that they will not be allowed to participate in any Pony Club mounted equestrian activities until such a time as the “sleepers” can safely be removed. The reason for this is that “sleepers” have, in the past, caused injuries following falls.

Please also be aware that when we are at Bakewell there is to be no warming up or riding in the car park area and you should lead your ponies to the gate and wait to be called by your instructor who will mount you when you get to your allocated arena.

Your instructor will complete a tack check before you commence to ride please can all parents ensure that the stitching, girth straps etc are safe and fit for purpose.

As you are aware the safety of children and ponies is paramount , we look forward to seeing you at our pony club events and training over the summer months.

If you have any questions please ask myself or your instructor, our aim is to have fun and learning with our ponies, with out accidents.

Parent Code of Conduct

Here is an extract from the parent section of The Pony Club UK which explains the behaviour that is expected from parents of children in the Branch. The Pony Club is a volunteer organisation and depends on parents and guardians to help. Fairness should take precedence over competitiveness. Teaching by example will foster caring and respect for all.

Parents / Guardians should therefore:

• Be a positive role model for my child and other Members by respecting coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders; their authority and decisions; the rules and regulations under which The Pony Club operates
• Agree to discuss disputes / appeals at a suitable, agreed time with the correct officials, within the appropriate level of The Pony Club organisation, without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Always remember that Pony Club activities are intended to be educational, safe and fun to benefit the Members rather than parents.
• Respect the horses and ponies and show humane care for them at all times.
• Respect the property and equipment used in any activities, considering safety uppermost in all situations
• Be knowledgeable about the rules of the discipline or competition their child is taking part in and encourage their child to know, be familiar with, and follow these rules.
• Promote the physical and emotional well-being of their child, other Members and horses ahead of any personal desire to win or succeed in any activity.
• Teach their child that taking part, learning and showing sportsmanship in all competitions, testing situations, clinics, etc are more important than winning.
• Praise all Members equally for trying hard and competing fairly.
• Inform officials as soon as possible if they or their child is unable to fulfil commitments or attendance at events.
• Help their child and others to understand the satisfaction of co-operation, group work and team spirit in achieving personal goals and growth, and good results.
• Volunteer their services and skills, whether equine-related or not, whenever possible.

Parents / Guardians should not:

• Force their child or other Members to take part in activities with which they are not comfortable.
• Disrespect the decisions of coaches / officials concerning the skills and abilities of their child or other Members.
• Undermine the authority of coaches / officials by interfering with, or coaching any Members from the sidelines.
• Dispute the decisions of coaches / officials and volunteers during an event or in front of their child, other Members or parents.
• Engage in or condone unsportsmanlike behaviours such as booing, taunting, using profane language, refusing to congratulate winners, etc.

If a serious breach of any of the above occurs, a complaint should be made in writing to the High Peak Hunt Branch Committee. If the complaint is upheld, then a first warning letter will be sent to the person concerned. If a second breach of the code is upheld then the parent/guardian will be asked to remove their child from the Branch.