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 does want its members to have lots of fun, and does not want people to feel under pressure because they are working for a “test”.  However, the tests have always been part of the Pony Club experience and are carefully designed to equip Members with the skills and knowledge they need, at whatever age they are, to ride and look after their pony properly.  Try not to think of the tests as exams, but more as a way of learning the useful things you might need for the sake of your pony.

When it comes to the day of the test itself, the smaller members probably won’t even realise they are being tested.  The instructors make sure that the children stay relaxed and avoid putting pressure on them.

The first test which a Member can take is the E test, then it is D, D+, C, C+ and so on, right up to the  A test, which only a handful of children take each year across the country.  When you have been awarded a test, you will receive a certificate and a circular disc of coloured felt, for example the D test felt is white.  You wear this under your Pony Club badge on your tweed jacket. Details of the up to date content of each test is available on the main pony club website.

EFFICIENCY TESTS INFORMATION

To help parents and members appreciate and understand the Pony Club system we have split it into easy chunks.

The recommended minimum ages are just that “recommended”, you are never too old to start, there is no upper age limit for members for each Test, we try hard to group you with your own age group when training and assessing.

E TEST recommended minimum age 4yrs 

• Progressive Bronze Tests
• The Pony Club Road Rider Mini Achievement Badge

D TEST* recommended minimum age 8yrs  

• Progressive Silver Tests

D+ TEST recommended minimum age 10yrs  

• Progressive Gold Tests
• The Pony Club Road Rider Achievement Badge

C TEST* recommended minimum age 11yrs  

• Progressive Platinum Tests
• The Pony Club Road Rider Test OR The BHS Riding and Road Safety Test

C+ TEST* (Riding and/or Horse & Pony Care) recommended minimum age 13yrs 

B TEST (Riding and/or Horse & Pony Care) recommended minimum age 15yrs (only those over 14yrs may be entered) 

This test may be taken as a whole or in 2 parts ~ H&P Care Test     and Ridden Test  

COACHING CERTIFICATE (Full B Test required) recommended minimum age 18yrs

LUNGING TEST recommended minimum age 15yrs. 

This test is arranged via the DC at Area . Before taking the Lunging Test, Candidates must have passed the B Test or B Standard Horse & Pony Care.

B+ TEST (Full B Test required. Can be taken before or after AH Test) recommended minimum age 16yrs. 

The Test is a non-compulsory riding test taken after the Lunging Test and either before or after AH. It is a ‘stepping stone’ between B (full test) and A Test.

AH TEST recommended minimum age 17yrs (only those over 16yrs may be entered) 

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!  The AH Test is the Stable Management phase of the A Test. Those who have passed B (horse & pony care) Test only and have been recommended after an assessment by an AH examiner can also take the Test.

A TEST minimum age 18yrs 

The Pony Club Tests are intended to assess your riding and your horse and pony care in a structured way.  The Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship is an essential part of the Pony Club Tests.

The Pony Club offers Mini Achievement Badges for younger Members’ as well as both equine and non-equine Achievement Badges. Both types of achievement badge will help you to learn a wide range of skills like first-aid, farming, map reading, saddlery, road safety and grooming

Progressive Tests

The Progressive Tests are available to Members in Horsemanship and Riding and Road Sense. These allow Members to take Tests in modules throughout the different levels.

Members whose interests lie in Stable Management may take the Horsemanship Awards on their own.

The Pony Club offers 4 levels of Progressive Tests:

• Bronze
• Silver
• Gold
• Platinum

Efficiency Tests (E to A)

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.  You can download the Test training system to see what order they should be taken in.

The Pony Club Efficiency Tests

• E Test
• D Test
• D+ Test
• C Test
• C+ Test
• Road Rider Test
• B Test – Horse & Pony Care
• B Test – Riding
• B Test BHS Exemption
• Coaching Certificate
• Lungeing Test
• AH Test
• B+ Test
• A Test
• Hunting Certificate

*For D, C and C+ Test, Members must have attained the relevant Road Rider Achievement Badge/Test – refer to Test card, available on the Pony Club website http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/tests_and_achievements/efficiency_tests/

N.B. Members holding C+ Test (Horse & Pony Care) may progress to B Test (Horse & Pony Care), Lunging and AH. To take B Test (Riding), Members must hold the full C+ Test (Riding and Horse & Pony Care).

N.B. Members holding B Test (Horse & Pony Care) may progress to Lunging and AH. To take the A Test, Members must hold the full B Test (Riding and Horse & Pony Care).