Test Structure:
The Pony Club Test structure is a pathway that encourages members to learn progressively. Each test covers riding and horse care, to help riders develop their skills and learn how to care for their horses. When you pass a test you are awarded a certificate and a coloured, circular felt which sits behind your Pony Club badge.
The test structure starts with E test at a minimum age of 4 and works up to A, which members can take up to the age of 25. From C+ upwards there is a direct entry for PC members into BHS tests. The various gradings are listed below and additional information can be found here:
E
D
D+
C
C+Riding C+Care
B Riding B Care
Lunging
B+
AH
A
NWPC offers a wide range of training which can lead to members taking their tests. We also aim to train our own coaches, with many of those coaching today having been branch members from an early age.
If your child is interested in the Pony Club tests please drop Barbara an email or catch her at a rally to discuss this.
Mounted training:
Over each winter we aim to run training indoor riding monthly for all levels of riders. These rides run from October to March. Details of all dates is usually issued during September.
Pre D – aimed at members aged 3- 8 years, who have not passed their D test. We try to group these younger members into rides based on age/ability and friendships but all work broadly towards D test, incorporating a lot of fun on the way.
D+ – aimed at members aged 8-10, who are working towards D+ test
C – aimed at members aged 10+, who are working towards C test
C+/B – aimed at members aged 12+ who have passed C test and who are working towards C+ test or B test.
Unmounted Training:
Over the winter we run a series of unmounted pony care sessions at test level from D+ to B. These sessions run from November-April, with all dates issued during October.
B test
These sessions will be at Woodside Farm, Stretton-on-Dunsmore and are a mix of theory and practical work.
C and C+
Taking into account the changes to the PC tests to incorporate sections on safety, horse welfare and training of ponies we concentrate on the theory elements for the November – February sessions. These will be held in Stoneleigh village hall. The sessions in March and April will cover the practical aspects.
D+
These will start in January, with theory sessions at Stoneleigh in January and February and moving on to the practical in March and April.
Riding and Road Safety:
Being a mainly rural branch, we feel strongly that our members should be trained to ride on the public roads. Members are asked to undertake 2 levels of road safety assessments. Please note that this training does not take place on public roads but on a simulated road layout in either a field or arena.
Road Rider Mini Achievement badge which can be taken at age 6+.
Road Rider Achievement badge, which is taken at age 9+
Pony Club Achievement Badges:
We offer our members the chance to work towards and earn the Pony Club Achievement badges. Depending on the topic they are generally unmounted and may or may not include practical elements.
The badges are split into either Horsemanship or Fun & Friendship content. They are then offered at different test levels; all the available badges can be found by following the links below, together with the respective syllabus. The content of the syllabus will determine the age we consider each badge is suitable for:
Mini Achievement Badges – up to D Test level Mini Badges
Achievement Badges – D+ to C Test level Achievement Badges
Advanced Achievement Badges – C+ Test level and over Advanced badges
The Horsemanship badges all help Members work towards the Horse and Pony Care side of the Pony Club Tests.
The Gold Mini Achievement Badge is awarded to Members who have successfully completed at least 14 Mini Achievement Badges.
The Gold Achievement Badge is awarded to Members who have successfully completed at least 21 Achievement Badges.
The Blue Cross Equine Welfare Mini Achievement Badge is awarded to any Member who has passed 10 specific Mini Achievement Badges, please see here for more information. The Blue Cross Equine Welfare Achievement Badge is awarded to any Member who has passed all 10 badges, please see here for more information.
If you would like to be kept informed of Branch training, please keep in touch with the Training co-ordinators
