{"id":1146,"date":"2025-05-02T19:59:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T18:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/midantrim\/?page_id=1146"},"modified":"2025-05-02T20:07:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T19:07:35","slug":"achievement-badges-efficiency-tests","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/midantrim\/about-the-pony-club\/achievement-badges-efficiency-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Achievement Badges and Efficiency Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
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Achievement Badges and Efficiency Tests<\/h1>\n

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Please contact Roberta Brown<\/a> for more information or to get involved!<\/h4>\n

The Pony Club Training Pathway:<\/h2>\n

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Achievement Badges<\/h2>\n

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!<\/h6>\n
\r\n \r\n Achievement Badge Syllabuses \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n
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Mini Achievement Badges<\/h3>\n

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.<\/h6>\n
\r\n \r\n Mini Badge Syllabuses \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n
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Sports Badges<\/h3>\n

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.<\/h6>\n
\r\n \r\n Sports Badge Syllabuses \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n
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Efficiency Tests<\/h2>\n

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.<\/h6>\n

Tests available to members:<\/h3>\n

A Test, AH Test, B+ Test, Lungeing Test, B Test, C+ Test, C Test, D+ Test D Test and the E Test.<\/h6>\n
Members can take the Care and Riding Sections separately for the C Test, C+ Test and B Test.<\/h6>\n

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E Test – Recommended minimum age 4 – Pale Yellow Felt<\/h3>\n

This test is not compulsory and may be taken on or off the lead rein. Member may be accompanied by an adult helper.<\/h6>\n

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Objectives<\/strong>:
\n\u2022 To enjoy learning about ponies
\n\u2022 To be safe near ponies
\n\u2022 To understand what a pony needs to be happy
\n\u2022 To be confident both on and around ponies
\n\u2022 To know the basic points of the pony<\/h6>\n
\r\n \r\n Syllabus \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n
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D Test – Recommended age – 8 – Yellow Felt<\/h3>\n

Recommended study:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Mini Road Rider Badge
\n\u2022 Mini Learning Theory Badge<\/h6>\n

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Objectives<\/strong>:
\n\u2022 To achieve confidence in handling a pony
\n\u2022 To achieve confidence in riding a pony
\n\u2022 To enjoy learning about ponies
\n\u2022 To have a basic understanding of pony behaviour
\n\u2022 To know that it is important that ponies are healthy and enjoy life
\n\u2022 To have an awareness of how ponies learn<\/h6>\n
\r\n \r\n Syllabus \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n
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D+ Test – Recommended minimum age – 10 – White Felt<\/h3>\n

Recommended Study:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Road Rider Achievement Badge
\n\u2022 Learning Theory Achievement Badge<\/h6>\n

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Objectives<\/strong>:
\n\u2022 To understand the importance of putting a pony\u2019s welfare first
\n\u2022 To understand the Five Freedoms of pony welfare
\n\u2022 To have an understanding of pony behaviour
\n\u2022 To have a basic knowledge of the care and working of a pony at grass
\n\u2022 To begin to understand how a pony learns
\n\u2022 To be working towards developing a balanced seat independent of the reins<\/h6>\n
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Note<\/strong>:
\n\u2022 All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
\n\u2022 The D Test must be achieved before taking the D+ Test.<\/h6>\n
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C Test – Recommended minimum age – 11 – Green Felt Full Test – Silver Riding Only – Meadow Green Care Only<\/h3>\n

Recommended study:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Yard Safety Achievement Badge
\n\u2022 Countryside Access Achievement Badge<\/h6>\n

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Objectives<\/strong>:
\n\u2022 To understand that equine welfare is important
\n\u2022 To have some knowledge of the Five Freedoms (Domains) and why they are essential for a pony\u2019s welfare
\n\u2022 To have an awareness of ponies\u2019 instincts and how they affect their behaviour
\n\u2022 To understand how a pony learns
\n\u2022 To have a knowledge of the care and working of a pony off grass
\n\u2022 To be working towards a secure correct, balanced seat independent of the reins and to understand why this is important
\n\u2022 To apply simple aids correctly
\n\u2022 To be in control of the pony on the roads and in the countryside<\/h6>\n
\u2022 To understand why there are rules for riding in the countryside<\/h6>\n
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Note<\/strong>:<\/h6>\n
\u2022 All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
\n\u2022 The D and D+ Tests must be achieved before taking the C Test<\/h6>\n
\r\n \r\n Syllabus \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n
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C+ Test – Recommended minimum age – 13 – Pink Felt Full Test – Burgundy Riding Only – Turquoise Care Only<\/h3>\n

Recommended study:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Learning Theory Advanced Achievement Badge
\n\u2022 Equine First Aid Advanced Achievement Badge<\/h6>\n
\u2022 Social Licence Advanced Achievement Badge
\n\u2022 Learning Theory Advanced Achievement Badge
\n\u2022 The Spurs Test and PC Guidelines on the Use of Spurs
\n\u2022 Building Show Jumps Advanced Achievement Badge<\/h6>\n

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Riders may be required to ride other candidates\u2019 ponies\/horses for some flat work<\/h6>\n

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Riding Objectives:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\u2022 To understand the importance of putting equine welfare first
\n\u2022 To show some understanding of learning theory and equine behaviour
\n\u2022 To become an enthusiastic, educated, and practical rider
\n\u2022 To be capable of riding a well-mannered pony or horse in a variety of Pony Club activities
\n\u2022 To ride intelligently and with due regard for others on the roads and in the countryside, showing understanding of \u2018going\u2019, pace, distance, and your pony or horse\u2019s level of fitness<\/h6>\n
\nCare Objectives:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 To understand the importance of putting equine welfare first at all times
\n\u2022 To understand how the Five Domains (Freedoms) affect the care of ponies and horses
\n\u2022 To know how the behaviour of a pony or horse is affected by its environment
\n\u2022 To understand how horses and ponies learn from previous experience
\n\u2022 To show practical experience, or understanding and knowledge, of the care and work of a stabled horse\/pony
\n\u2022 To show practical experience and\/or understanding and knowledge of the care and work of a pony or horse at grass<\/h6>\n
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Notes<\/strong>:<\/h6>\n
\u2022 All content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test
\n\u2022 D, D+ and full C Test must be achieved before taking the C+. If a member is over 16 years, following
\nassessment they may enter directly at C+ level.<\/h6>\n
\r\n \r\n Riding Syllabus \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n Care Syllabus \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n
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B Test – Recommended minimum age – 14 – Red Felt Full Test – Beige Riding Only – Brown Care Only<\/h3>\n

Riders will be required to ride and assess other candidates\u2019 horses for flatwork.
\nRiders will be expected to show consideration for safety when riding alone and in groups throughout the test.<\/h6>\n
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Care Objectives:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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