Click on the individual discipline on the left to see further information on each Pony Club discipline.
Full information on each discipline is available on the main Pony Club website – https://pcuk.org/sports/
Dressage is a great way to improve communication between ponies and riders.
At competitions it is about showing the judge that you can get your pony to do what you want him to do, when you want him to do it. Rider and pony have to follow a set of instructions laid out in the dressage test – with tests for all level of rider, from Walk/Trot upwards.
A judge marks the test. They give you a mark out of ten for how well you carry out each instruction. At the end of the test the marks are added up and the winner is the horse and rider with the highest score.
Show Jumping is where a horse and rider combination are tested over a course of colourful obstacles, known as fences, which can be easily knocked down if they are hit. The goal is to complete the course in the fastest time without getting any faults.
Faults are gained when a fence is knocked down, the horse stops at a fence (refusal) or the horse runs around a fence (run out).
Show Jumping can take place both indoors and outdoors, so is perfect to enjoy all year round.
Intended to demonstrate the horse and rider’s courage, athletic ability, precision, speed and partnership, your aim is to jump a clear round. If you manage to jump clear, you will go through to the second stage which is called a “jump-off”. A jump-off is a shortened course which is timed. The winner is the horse and rider with the least faults and the fastest time in the jump-off.
There are various levels you can jump at and you can go on to compete as an individual or as part of a team.
Eventing is split into three phases – Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country. It gives Pony Club Members a competition which needs courage, determination and all-round riding ability combined with the careful and systematic training of the horse. Riders gain a deeper understanding of the different sports open to them.
Its main aim is to encourage a higher standard of riding throughout The Pony Club and to give younger members a greater interest in riding as both a sport and as a recreational activity.
The Pony Club Quiz is a chance for members to test their equestrian knowledge in a fun and friendly team quiz against teams from other Branches and Centres from across the Area. It’s great fun and you don’t need a pony.
From 2023 the Pony Club Quiz will be having an Mini section and a Junior/Senior section in teams of 4.
All ages will be taken from the 1st January of the competition year.
Pony Club Games Training will Start again early 2022 watch this space
MOUNTED GAMES is a great fun discipline within Pony Club that any member can become involved in on any pony. There are some rules on age of rider, you must not have reached your 15th birthday on the first on January in the current year. The pony must be over 4 years of age and under 147 cm.
New is a pairs competition for those members 11-19 years old.
Your pony does not need experience in games. Most ponies are general all rounders, who are used for all disciplines – jumping, flatwork, dressage, polocrosse and at camp.
Games is a team sport and teams need to be four for some games five riders. There are lead rein, assisted, junior (under 11 on 1st January ) and senior sessions. Games is not all about speed, it is best when practised regularly and when riders become familiar and accurate with the equipment for each game. Games are designed to be fun, and most children’s balance and confidence improves greatly the more they do!
For more information please contact Katie Clarke on 07557 419799 or Kimberley Wallace on 07763 847530
Tetrathlon is a 4 phase competition, where members run, swim, ride and shoot. Points are allocated for each phase and totalled to give a final score which dictates placings. See below for a summary of the various classes in Tetrathlon.
Upcoming Triathlon / Tetrathlon events 2024
Booking for upcoming triathlons and tetrathlons are via the organising Pony Club’s website. Don’t forget to comment on our Tetrathlon Whatsapp group if you are attending any.
DATES
7/1/24 – North Down – Blair Mayne Leisure Centre
28/1/24 – Mid Antrim – Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre (QUALIFIER)
4/2/24 – Route – Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre
25/2/24 – Seskinore – Omagh Leisure Centre (QUALIFIER)
24/3/24 – UK Tri Champs – Grantham
21/4/24 – Fermanagh – Dry Tet (no swimming) – Ash Hollow
end April – North Down – tbc
4&5/5/24 – Windsor
27&28/7/24 – IPC Junior & Senior Tet – Punchestown
2-4/8/24 – Senior Regionals/International Tetrathlon – Castle Irvine, Necarne Estate
9-11/8/24 – PC Champs – Offchurch Bury
Tetrathlon provides members with a challenging competition requiring sound practical horsemanship and general athletic ability. It comprises four elements:
| RIDE | SHOOT | SWIM | RUN | |
| OPEN BOYS
(25 & under) |
1m | 10m turning target
One handed
|
4 minutes | 3000m |
| OPEN GIRLS
(25 & under) |
1m | 10m turning target
One handed
|
3 minutes | 1500m |
| INTERMEDIATE BOYS
(25 & under) |
1m | 10m turning target
One handed
|
3 minutes | 2000m |
| INTERMEDIATE GIRLS
(25 & under) |
1m | 10m turning target
One handed
|
3 minutes | 1500m |
| JUNIOR BOYS & GIRLS
(14 & under) |
90cm
|
7m turning target
One handed |
3 minutes | 1500m |
| MINIMUS BOYS & GIRLS
(11 & under) |
80cm | 7m turning target
Two handed |
2 minutes | 1000m |
| TADPOLES BOYS & GIRLS
(9 & under) |
60cm | 7m static target
Two handed |
2 minutes | 1000m |
| BEANIES BOYS & GIRLS
(7 & under) |
40cm | Beanbag at target – minimum 3m throw | 2 minutes | 500m |