Rockwood Pony Club offers so many activities both non ridden and ridden and there can be a lot to discover! This page highlights useful information to get started, the Rockwood Branch Committee are also on hand to help everyone with questions and offer guidance.
DISCIPLINES, AREA & CHAMPIONSHIPS
Riders who are keen to compete will have an opportunity to train for Pony club teams in nearly all disciplines—and at all levels.
Each year competitions are held within each Pony Club Area, often referred to within each discipline as ‘Area’ , to qualify for the prestigious Pony Club Championships.
There are disciplines co-ordinators for Horse Trials, Show Jumping, Dressage, Polocrosse, Mounted Games and Tetrathlon/Triathlon. Their details are listed on the Activities pages.
We would love to hear from anyone who is interested in having a go.
TESTS
These are proficiency tests, which although are non-compulsory are an integral part of Pony Club. They show that a child has reached a certain level of achievement and knowledge in his/her riding and stable management skill. Both mounted and dismounted instruction are given in preparation for tests. You will receive a certificate and a felt of an appropriate colour to wear under your badge on passing.
Some tests require a Riding and Road Safety badge/test before the felt can be awarded. E-C Tests coordinated by Dawn Jackson and C+ – B by Sue Chadwick
ACHIEVEMENT BADGES
These are designed to improve members’ knowledge of the countryside, general pony care and to help them work towards their next level of proficiency test. We offer training days for different badges throughout the year.
See https://pcuk.org/achievement-badges/ for more details.
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.
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).
UNIFORM SUPPLIER: www.gggear.co.uk and search for Rockwood Harriers
