Sunday September 24, 2023
For National Pony Club updates and information please go to pcuk.org
Pony Club Tests
Our Charitable Purpose as a Branch of the Pony Club
 
 We have three critical strands to our purpose, we exist: 
► To promote and advance the education and understanding of the public and particularly children and young people, in all matters relating to horsemanship and the horse. 
► To encourage the development of sportsmanship, unlocking potential by building resilience, confidence, teamwork and leadership skills. 
► To support and develop the volunteering network to strengthen The Pony Club community and sustain lifelong engagement with equestrianism. 
 
Our Vision – To provide children and young people with the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of horses through fun, friendship, horsemanship and sport. 
 
Our Values –
► Togetherness – We are one Pony Club, fostering friendship, teamwork and volunteering. 
► Empathy – We support every individual to reach their goals. We celebrate success and learn to lose with grace. 
► Respect – We treat all people fairly and equally. We celebrate our history and heritage. 
► Learning – We grow through learning and education, the development of skills, expertise and the pursuit of excellence.
 
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.
 
The Pony Club Tests E to A are at the heart of all Pony Club training, both in the UK and globally. The Pony Club Tests enable Members to develop comprehensive knowledge and skills on correct horse care and riding. The highest Test, the A Test, is a sought-after accolade which is recognised worldwide and held by many top-level equestrian professionals.
 
More detail on tests can be found on the main site – https://pcuk.org/members/training/pony-club-tests/
 
As a Branch we fund tests for our members, but training must be attended and paid for(the training is subsidised as all our rallies are).
 
 A candidate will only be put forward for a test when the instructor thinks they are ready – this may be one training rally or it may be 10:-).
 
 Quite often an older member who has recently joined can do 2 of the lower tests on the same day to ‘catch up’.
 
The majority of our Test Training rallies are held at Redcastle in Canon Pyon, with Georgie Dickinson, and generally consist of a ridden rally, then classroom and yard-based theory. All are welcome to book on and groups are then split accordingly.
 
Our next such rally is on Wednesday 30th August and we hope to see many of you there!
 
Any questions about tests, or even just to discuss your aims, please contact Jemma Brown, waterylane@hotmail.com.