The Pony Club Training Structure
The Pony Club Training structure encourages members to take tests, progressive awards and badges 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.
Pony Club Badges
Badges & Achievement Awards are designed to be stepping stones and bite sized manageable chunks for members working towards the next Progressive Award and/or Test level up.
The Pony Club has a wide selection of badges that can be attained, ranging from grooming to camping, beach riding to countryside access. There are over 130 badges to collect which are available divided into four levels:
- Mini
- Achievement
- Advanced
- Sport badges
These are organised into three collections
- Fun & Friendship
- Horsemanship Sport
- Sport
A cloth badge is awarded once a member has met the required standard for the badge
The three levels of achievement badges cover a variety of individual topics related to horses and riding and are aimed at different ages and experiences at follows:
Mini Achievement Badges – these are aimed at younger members training up to D+ level. They are smaller than the other badges and have a purple border. When you have collected 14 of these you are awarded a Mini Gold Achievement Award.
Achievement Badges – these are aimed at junior members at D+ to C+ level. They have a navy-blue border. When you have collected 21 of these badges you are awarded the Gold Achievement Award.
Advanced Achievement Badges – these are for our senior members and cover topics required for C+ to A test. They have a gold border.
Sport Badges – these badges are designed to give members an introduction to the 9 sports that The Pony Club has to offer. Each badge has two levels, an Intro Badge, aimed at younger members, and a more advanced Sports Badge for older members. Each badge covers rules, dress and technique for the specific sport.
Opportunities to Earn Badges
We hold monthly Badge Rallies at The Plough Inn during the Autumn & Winter months. These are divided into 2 groups Minis (10 and under on 1st Jan E, D and D+ Levels) and Junior/Senior (11 and older C Test and Above Levels). Numbers are limited to 10 – 12 in each group to ensure members learn what is required. There are additional opportunities to earn Badges at Camps, at Horsemanship Teams training and at Day Rallies throughout the year as well as specific practical Badge Rallies, largely in Spring and Summer months.
If you have any questions or queries please contact our Badge Coordinator Jess
Special Awards
Gold Achievement Badge Award
Awarded for achieving 21 Main Badges
Mini Gold Achievement Badge Award
Awarded for achieving 14 Mini Badges
Blue Cross Equine Welfare Merit Badge
The Blue Cross Equine Welfare Merit Badge is awarded to any Member who has passed all of the following Achievement Badges:
- Bandages and Rugs
- Care of the Foot
- Equine First Aid
- Feeding
- Grooming
- Lorinery
- Mucking Out
- Perfect Paddock
- Saddlery
- Shoeing
Blue Cross Equine Welfare Mini Achievement Badge
The Blue Cross Equine Welfare Mini Achievement Badge is awarded to Members who have successfully completed the following 10 Mini Achievement Badges:
- Horse Clothing
- Care of the Foot
- Feed Your Pony
- Pony Health
- Leading and Handling
- Tack Cleaning
- Points of Tack
- Mucking Out
- Basic Needs of Ponies, Summer and Winter
- Pony Behaviour
Progressive Awards
Progressive Awards are intermediate steps between the The Pony Club Efficiency Test levels E and C+. They are are available in Horsemanship and Riding and Road Sense. Members may take these Tests in Modules through the Awards. Progressive Awards are voluntary and flexible and they can be assessed continuously over several sessions and do not need a formal assessment unlike Efficiency Tests.
There are four Progressive Awards each consisting of 3 Levels:
- Bronze Award split into Levels 3, 2 & 1 taken between E & D Tests
- Silver Award split into Levels 3, 2 & 1 taken between D & D+ Tests
- Gold Award split into Levels 3, 2 & 1 taken between D+ & C Tests
- Platinum Award split into Levels 3, 2 & 1 taken between C & C+ Tests
We aim to hold at least monthly Progressive Award and Test Training throughout the year to ensure members regularly have opportunities to progress up The Pony Club Training Structure.
If you have any questions or queries regarding Progressive Awards please contact Jess, our Test Coordinator
Pony Club Tests
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.
Recommended minimum ages to be put forward to take the respective Test:
- E Test – 4 years
- D Test – 8 years
- D+ Test – 10 years
- C Test – 11 years
- C+ Test – 13 years
- B Test – 14/15 years
When a Test is achieved, a coloured felt is worn under the members Pony Club badge, on the left lapel, when members are taking part in Pony Club events and activities.The tests and their relating colour felts are as follows:
E Test – Pale yellow
D Test – Bright yellow
D+ Test – White
C Test – Green
C+ Test – Pink
B Test – Red
Lungeing Test – Light Blue
B+ Test Purple
AH Test – Orange
A Test – Blue
The Pony Club A Test is the highest test within The Pony Club structure. It is recognised world wide and is very much sought after!
We hold regular Test Training throughout the year to ensure members put forward for Tests are thoroughly prepared. We recommend that members attend a minimum number of training sessions as follows:
- 1 for D
- 2 for D+
- 4 for C
- 6 for C+
A member may require additional training to the guide above and is only put forward for a Test once The Branch instructor thinks they are ready.
If you have any questions or queries regarding Tests please contact our Test Coordinator Jess
