Rockwood Pony Club rallies are run throughout the year to provide instruction in a safeplace to all our members. Rallies enable all members to improve their riding and stable management skills. Rallies are great fun. There are different types of rallies ranging from fun ‘themed’ activities for younger children to flatwork, show jumping, cross country, mounted games and polocrosse to name but a few. An experienced instructor teaches at each rally.

As a rule, there are usually no more than six ponies per ride and the focus of each session will be set at a standard to suit the rider.

Throughout the year points are awarded for attendance at rallies. The member with the most points is awarded the Hinchcliffe Cup. If you would like to be considered for area teams, in any discipline, both you and your pony must have attended at least three rallies/events.

TRAINING

We hold training sessions throughout the year at various venues. The training sessions either take place after school or at weekends. These sessions are discipline orientated ie. show jumping, eventing, dressage. You should receive a calendar via email every few months with an up to date list of the training and competitions organised. Please get in touch if you have not received one for a while. Please also keep an eye on the Facebook page.

WHAT TO WEAR

We are very proud of the reputation that members have with visiting instructors for excellent turnout! The dress code is also very important if for safety reasons.

Rockwood Clothing We love to see our members representing our branch so all our official Rockwood Harriers clothing can be bought and personalised by visiting GG-Gear Ltd

UNIFORM SUPPLIER : www.gggear.co.uk  search for Rockwood Harriers

RIDERS-A hard hat that meets current permitted safety standard in black or navy (or a skull cap with black, navy or RHPC hat silk). Please see the PC Website and Rulebooks for a comprehensive guide to the type of hat that is safe to wear for each discipline, no fixed peak hats for Mounted Games or XC for example. Hats should be ‘tagged’ to show they have been checked and comply with safety standards. (If your hat has been tagged by a Riding Club or BE that tag is also good for Pony Club and vice versa).Body Protectors are recommended while mounted, and are compulsory for crosscounty, pony racing and Show Jumping over 80cm.Black or brown jodhpur boots with jodhpur clips OR plain black or brown chaps/gaitors OR black or brown knee length riding boots. NO wellies, trainers, etc. If wearing jodhpur boots please keep long socks under (not over) your jodhpurs!Plain gloves. Long hair should be tied back and secured in a hairnet with a plain or pony club scrunchie or bobble.Absolutely NO piercings or jewellery. No hooded tops or hooded jackets while mounted No ‘bling’ please on either rider, pony or tack.

In addition …

Working Rallies, PC Tests and Competitions… A long sleeved white shirt (top button done up) with a Pony Club tie or Pony Club stock/pin. Plain cream, beige or white jodhpurs. Plain traditional jacket (tweed, navy or black) with Pony Club badge (and felt if applicable) on the left lapel.- No pompoms on hats. Training, camp and less formal and unmounted rallies… Pony Club polo shirt and sweatshirt (or plain navy sweatshirt).Plain black or navy jodhpurs are acceptable.Pompoms acceptable on plain navy/black/RHPC hat silk.

HORSES/PONIES Should be well groomed and as clean as possible, with, sponged eyes, nose and dock.Picked out hooves, well shod/trimmed feet.Tangle-free mane and tail. They should be fit enough for the activity.Ribbons in tails – a red ribbon may be put in your horse’s tail as a warning to others that it may kick. Please give such a horse plenty of space to avoid accidents. A green ribbon warns of a young, inexperienced horse.

TACK Should be clean and well fitting. Check stitching, especially on reins, stirrups and girth straps.Tack (including girth) should be black or brown.Plain white, brown, navy or black numnah or saddlecloth.You should be able to fit one finger either side of your foot in the stirrups.Humane girths are not permitted (a humane girth is described as having non-independent straps that will loosen if one of the straps were to break).