Please contact Roberta Brown for more information or to get involved!
The Pony Club Training Pathway:
Achievement Badges
Achievement badges provide a fun and interactive way for members to develop their knowledge of horsemanship and give them the opportunity to develop the skills to care for horses and ponies to the highest possible standards. There are an array of badges in terms of topics and their difficulty level, providing a clear path for progression and ensuring there is something for everyone!
Mini Achievement Badges are aimed at younger members training up to D+ level. They are smaller than the other badges and have a purple border. They are an introduction to the topics covered in the Achievement badges and can be a fun addition to rallies.
These badges are designed to give members an introduction to the wide variety of sports that The Pony Club has to offer. Each badge has two levels, an intro badge, aimed at younger members, and a more advanced badge for older members. Each badge covers rules, dress and technique for the specific sport.
The Pony Club Training structure encourages members to take tests which enables them to learn progressively about horse and pony care and riding. The tests are taken at recommended ages and are designed with certain objectives in mind.
Tests available to members:
A Test, AH Test, B+ Test, Lungeing Test, B Test, C+ Test, C Test, D+ Test D Test and the E Test.
Members can take the Care and Riding Sections separately for the C Test, C+ Test and B Test.
E Test – Recommended minimum age 4 – Pale Yellow Felt
This test is not compulsory and may be taken on or off the lead rein. Member may be accompanied by an adult helper.
Objectives:
• To enjoy learning about ponies
• To be safe near ponies
• To understand what a pony needs to be happy
• To be confident both on and around ponies
• To know the basic points of the pony
Recommended study:
• Mini Road Rider Badge
• Mini Learning Theory Badge
Objectives:
• To achieve confidence in handling a pony
• To achieve confidence in riding a pony
• To enjoy learning about ponies
• To have a basic understanding of pony behaviour
• To know that it is important that ponies are healthy and enjoy life
• To have an awareness of how ponies learn
Objectives:
• To understand the importance of putting a pony’s welfare first
• To understand the Five Freedoms of pony welfare
• To have an understanding of pony behaviour
• To have a basic knowledge of the care and working of a pony at grass
• To begin to understand how a pony learns
• To be working towards developing a balanced seat independent of the reins
Note:
• All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
• The D Test must be achieved before taking the D+ Test.
Objectives:
• To understand that equine welfare is important
• To have some knowledge of the Five Freedoms (Domains) and why they are essential for a pony’s welfare
• To have an awareness of ponies’ instincts and how they affect their behaviour
• To understand how a pony learns
• To have a knowledge of the care and working of a pony off grass
• To be working towards a secure correct, balanced seat independent of the reins and to understand why this is important
• To apply simple aids correctly
• To be in control of the pony on the roads and in the countryside
• To understand why there are rules for riding in the countryside
Note:
• All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
• The D and D+ Tests must be achieved before taking the C Test
C+ Test – Recommended minimum age – 13 – Pink Felt Full Test – Burgundy Riding Only – Turquoise Care Only
Recommended study:
• Learning Theory Advanced Achievement Badge
• Equine First Aid Advanced Achievement Badge
• Social Licence Advanced Achievement Badge
• Learning Theory Advanced Achievement Badge
• The Spurs Test and PC Guidelines on the Use of Spurs
• Building Show Jumps Advanced Achievement Badge
Riders may be required to ride other candidates’ ponies/horses for some flat work
Riding Objectives:
• To understand the importance of putting equine welfare first
• To show some understanding of learning theory and equine behaviour
• To become an enthusiastic, educated, and practical rider
• To be capable of riding a well-mannered pony or horse in a variety of Pony Club activities
• To ride intelligently and with due regard for others on the roads and in the countryside, showing understanding of ‘going’, pace, distance, and your pony or horse’s level of fitness
Care Objectives:
• To understand the importance of putting equine welfare first at all times
• To understand how the Five Domains (Freedoms) affect the care of ponies and horses
• To know how the behaviour of a pony or horse is affected by its environment
• To understand how horses and ponies learn from previous experience
• To show practical experience, or understanding and knowledge, of the care and work of a stabled horse/pony
• To show practical experience and/or understanding and knowledge of the care and work of a pony or horse at grass
Notes:
• All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
• D, D+ and full C Test must be achieved before taking the C+. If a member is over 16 years, following
assessment they may enter directly at C+ level.
B Test – Recommended minimum age – 14 – Red Felt Full Test – Beige Riding Only – Brown Care Only
Riders will be required to ride and assess other candidates’ horses for flatwork.
Riders will be expected to show consideration for safety when riding alone and in groups throughout the test.
Care Objectives:
To understand the role of safeguarding horses’ welfare in keeping equestrians’ social licence to operate
To understand your responsibility with regard to the Five Domains of horse welfare
To derive satisfaction from providing suitable care for stabled horses
To understand how horses learn and use this knowledge in the field, yard, and stable
To demonstrate practical experience and/or understanding and knowledge of the care and work of a stabled or grass-kept horse
To be capable of looking after a horse before, during, and after a strenuous day’s activity or competition
Riding Objectives:
To appreciate the fun and satisfaction in developing a horse’s training
To understand how individual horses’ behaviour may require adaptations in their training
To understand how horses learn and how to use this knowledge when riding
To become an educated, effective, and practical rider who knows the reasons for what he or she is doing
To be capable of riding a well-mannered horse in a variety of Pony Club activities
To ride intelligently and with due regard for others who may be riding young, green, or untrained horses
To know and understand the basic responses for all horses to be ridden safely and successfully
To know and understand the first three points in the Scale of Training, providing a staircase of training suitable for all horses
To be able to maintain a horse’s way of going
To ride over a variety of fences at all paces (approx. height, 85 cm)
To understand your responsibilities towards equestrianism’s social licence to operate
Notes:
All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
The C+ Test Care must be held before a candidate can take the B Test Care. If a candidate is over 18 years, following assessment, they may enter directly into the B Test.
The full C+ Test must be held before a candidate can take the B Test Riding. If a candidate is over 18 years, following assessment, they may enter directly into the B Test.
B+ Test – Recommended minimum age – 16 – Pale purple Felt
Riders will be required to ride and assess other candidates’ horses for flatwork.
Riders will be expected to show consideration for safety when riding alone and in groups
throughout the test.
Objectives:
To understand the importance of prioritising equine welfare when ridden
To understand horses’ behaviour when ridden alone and in company
To show a balanced, secure, and harmonious position on the flat and over show jumps and cross-country fences (maximum fence height, 90 cm)
To ride intelligently, showing an understanding of the effects of ‘going’, pace, distance, and your horse’s level of fitness
To be able to assess horses’ way of going on the flat and over show jumps and cross country fences up to 90 cm in height
To know, understand, and implement the Scale of Training
To understand how to train a horse applying the concepts of learning theory
To understand how to shape a horses training progressively based on their acceptance /level of arousal
To be capable of developing a plan for horses’ training on the flat and over jumps
Notes:
All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
The Full B Test and Lunge Test must be held before entering the B+ Test
AH Test – Recommended minimum age – 16 – Orange Felt – Salmon Pink for Honours
The Pony Club ‘AH’ Test stands alone as the highest Test of Horsemastership available in The Pony Club. It is a pre-requisite for the ‘A’ Test Riding, replacing the Horsemastership section of that Test.
Candidates must be 16 years or over although at least 17 years is recommended. They must hold the ‘B’ Test Horse and Pony Care and the Lungeing Test, before applying for the ‘AH’ Test.
Objectives:
Show a wide experience of caring for and handling different types of horses and ponies.
Have the experience and knowledge to be able to look after two fit competition horses, a fit competition pony, a recuperating horse, an elderly retired horse and a mare and foal turned out.
Support practical work shown with logical theory relevant to the individual horses.
Carry out practical work swiftly and safely showing familiarity with the tasks.
Be able to lunge fresh and fit horses as a form of exercise.
Understand how the systems of the horse affect daily care in fit and resting horses.
Recognise the symptoms of ailments and the problems that may arise from these, and be able to undertake suitable action.
Understand the implications when breeding from a mare.
Be aware of modern practices; all theory must be grounded, and candidates must be able to apply their knowledge to the horses supplied during the exam.
Have an understanding of current legislation in place when working with horses.
The assessor will expect the candidate to show normal daily competence in their answers, but also the ability to observe any unusual behaviour or problem and to suggest a sensible solution.
Notes:
All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
The B Test Care and Lunge Test must be held before entering the AH Test
A Test – Recommended minimum age – 17 – Blue Felt – Purple for Honours
The A Test is the highest award of The Pony Club and provides a comprehensive assessment of the rider’s horsemanship and their training of a range of horses from the ground, on the flat, and over fences.
Candidates must have passed The Pony Club Tests B+, Lungeing and AH. These Tests will have provided a staircase of knowledge and progression to underpin the work and riding that will be observed.
This progression will have been supported by further training and practice with different coaches and with varied horses, as well as undertaking a wide range of reading, to give the breadth of knowledge required for this Test.
Objectives:
Show a secure, correct, balanced seat on the flat and over fences.
Improve all horses they work, both on the flat and over fences, including young and uncooperative horses.
Be able to support the practical work shown with logical theory relevant to each individual horse.
Give the assessors confidence that a horse left with the candidate would improve in its way of going.
Show a clear understanding of sympathetic modern training methods based on learning theory.
Have an awareness of factors (including those relating to pain, training, and management) that may contribute to various unwanted behaviours).
Be able to ride an unfamiliar horse in a variety of surroundings, being mindful for the care and welfare of all interested parties.
Demonstrate and evaluate training methods that are appropriate for most situations, with a diverse range of horses, including different tack options. Welfare must be at the forefront of all approaches.
Discuss the safety of helpers when starting young horses.
Notes:
All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
The B+ and AH Tests must be held before a candidate may take the A Test
