Can you help?
Pony Club as an organisation simply would not exist without an enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteers. As part of OBHPC community, parents, guardians, non-riding family members are all encouraged and welcome to join the existing supporters for as much time as they can spare – be it an hour or two at a rally, doing a squash and snack run on a day at camp, commentating at a show, running a pop-up kit shop or a whole host of other tasks. Apart from our instructors, everyone involved in running the OBHPC is a volunteer, including our DC, treasurer, secretary and committee, all of whom have full time jobs so please help out where you can.
If you think you could spare some time to help, PLEASE do contact any of the committee members who will be delighted to point you in the right direction or fill in the volunteer sign up form. We have a lot of fun together and the rewards for our members are in the sheer number of rallies and events we as a branch are able to put on each year. We can’t do it without you!
First Aid / Emergency First Aid Work certificate
We regularly host 1 day first aid courses that provide a first aider with a basic set of skills to provide emergency aid. They are standard EFAW 1 day courses, so recognised in the workplace, but are adapted to cover activities of the Pony Club and equestrianism generally. It is a brilliantly delivered and very useful certification and the additions make it perfect for volunteers, parents, guardians, older members, in fact everyone involved with horses and ponies.
The branch will cover the cost for committed volunteers, and provide basic first aid kits for rallies and events you help at.
If you are interested in attending the next course, either as a new qualification or refresher, please complete the form for contact get in touch with Helen Keen for details.
Safeguarding
The Pony Club has a statutory duty to protect children and safeguard their welfare. Participants in Pony Club activities are entitled to expect a safe and enjoyable environment.
“Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play. Children who need help and protection deserve high quality and effective support as soon as the need is identified.” (Working together to safeguard children, 2020)
The Pony Club Safeguarding Policy can be found via the link below. Other core documents and materials are available on the Resource Hub. In person (online) Safeguarding courses are run weekly by PCUK, there is a link to the current list (April-June) below. Pony Club will also accept training from a small number of other providers. The best and most available of these is provided by UK Coaching.
Parents and Guardians Roles at The Pony Club
Parents play a vital role in their child’s Pony Club journey – from supporting and guiding their progress, to volunteering at local events. The following guidelines should be followed by parents/guardians:
- be a positive role model for your child and other members
- respect coaches, officials, volunteers, members and other parents
- remember that the main aim of The Pony Club is to teach fairness over competitiveness
- teach members to show sportsmanship, teamwork and supportiveness
- use approriate conduct at all times, including on social media channels
- promote the wellbeing of members and their ponies ahead of winning
Our Safeguarding officer is Verity Green. Do get in touch with her if you have any queries.
About Our Instructors
Our coaches are all highly qualified in the discipline in which they teach, are 1st Aid trained, DBS checked, are required to attend a child protection course, and attend regular professional development courses.
Coaches
Our Stages 1 and 2 coaches are branch members who have undergone training and tests and, on passing these, are insured to instruct at pony club rallies and camps up to D+ level under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
Stage 3 coaches, who are aged 18+, will have passed a Coaching Certificate and are most likely to be using this as a stepping stone to becoming a full instructor.
If you would like to be considered for teaching at this Branch and are not already registered with another Pony Club, please take a look at the Pony Club requirements https://pcuk.org/coaches/ .
Our branch contacts are Ann Addington for Instructors and Lisa Smith for Coaches.