Branch Selection Policy for Area & National Competitions

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WHAT ARE THEY? HOW DO I GET PICKED TO COMPETE? WHO PAYS FOR MY ENTRY?

 WHAT ARE THEY?

The main Pony Club competitions, run annually are the Regional (PC70 and PC80) and National (PC90 and above) Championships.

Members can qualify for these competitions at the Area 14 Qualifying Competitions.

These competitions are for the main Pony Club disciplines:

  • Show Jumping
  • Dressage
  • Eventing
  • Tetrathlon
  • Horse & Pony Care
  • Quiz

They are highly prestigious and are considered to be the peak of the competitive year for all PC members.

Please do not confuse these competitions with the Mini Championships run by Area 15. This is a Show Jumping competition which can be qualified for via various local branch shows. It is a brilliant event and great taster competition for young members who aspire to compete in the Regional and National Championships when they reach the right levels.

The Area qualifiers are usually run in July or August. The Regional and National Championships held towards the end of August.

HOW DO I GET PICKED TO COMPETE?

Selection Policy for Area Qualifying Competitions

The standard at all of these competitions is high, so it is important that those representing Hursley  are both well prepared and capable of achieving the standard.

For example, jumping classes the Regional and National Championship heights can be up to 10cm higher than the class description – ie 90 will be 90cm at AREAs but maybe 100cm at the Championships.

Selection will be undertaken by the District Commissioner (DC), the discipline coach and Discipline Coordinator ONLY.

Selection for individual and team entries to the Area Qualifying Competitions will be in accordance with the following policy:

  • To be considered for selection you must have attended at least 3 rallies during the year (attending one of our annual camps counts as 1 rally). At least one of these rallies must have also been instructed by the Team Trainer of the discipline you want to compete in. Only the DC can authorise an exception to this condition.
  • All team selection will be done as fairly and openly as possible. All members who can demonstrate a commitment to the branch and a desire to compete for the branch can put themselves forwards for selection.
  • At the beginning of the selection phase, all HPC members will be invited to express their interest in representing their branch at Area Competitions. Please use the ‘Online Form’ that will be posted on the ‘Teams’ page of the HPC website.
  • Please Note: The Pony Club Rules state that ‘The DC is required to certify that the competitor is a member of their branch at the closing date for entries and that they and their horse/pony are eligible to compete at the level they are entered for at the area competition. The DC must also be satisfied that each member entered is capable and competent enough to take part at the level at which they want to compete.
  • Selection will take into account both the commitment of the individual and their performance in previous competitions, at rallies and in training.
  • You must be able to demonstrate evidence of regular competitions, at the appropriate level, on the horse / pony you are proposing to enter. Competitions can be affiliated, unaffiliated or Pony Club Competitions.
  • You must attend Team Training during the assessment phase and in preparation for AREAs.
  • Other selection criteria will include evidence that you are an active and committed member of the HPC and are involved in a wide range of PC activities including fund raising and volunteering at branch events.
  • You must be available to compete at NATIONAL or REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS should you qualify. Please check the dates before you put yourself forward for the Area competition!
  • If you are selected to represent HPC at any of these competitions, you are expected to stay, regardless of your results, for the prize giving. This is usually at the end of the day.

We will seek to manage expectations during the team selection process. Disappointment is inevitable; however, we hope that those who fail to meet the selection criteria will have a plan for how to achieve it the following year.

WHO PAYS FOR MY ENTRY?

Hursley aims to support members who are selected for the Area Qualifying Competitions and who qualify for the Regional and National Championships by contributing to their entry fees.

Hursley’s ability to fund these entry fees is dependent on the club running several successful events during the year. Showjumping and Arena Eventing competitions and our Hunter Trial for example. All members are expected to help at these events to ensure that these funds are available. Any other fundraising suggestions will be welcomed.

Assuming funds are available Hursley will contribute to entry fees as follows:

AREA QUALIFIERS: Hursley aims to pay 50% of all entry fees.

REGIONAL & NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Hursley aims to pay 100% of all entry fees and for one nights stabling should it be required.

If Hursley has a team competing at Area, Regional or National competitions they will endeavour to pay for the disciplines Team Trainer to attend as well.

Reimbursement of entry and stabling fees will be made after the member has competed at the relevant competition. Receipts should be presented to the branch Treasurer.

THE MINI CHAMPIONSHIPS

Although these championships are not officially recognised by The Pony Club we recognise how much our young members get out of competing at them. The are a brilliant introduction to competing at a large and busy venue. As a result Hursley will endeavour to support members competing at them. Support depends on funds available and will be agreed by the committee when the number of members competing becomes clear. Hursley may contribute towards:

  • The Team Trainer attending the competition
  • Entry Fees

Updated: December 2024            Approved By: The District Commissioner and Branch Committee