CORRECT DRESS AND TURNOUT TIPS.

Much of this is applicable to several areas,  so forgive any repeats.

 Pony Club Tests

• Your pony should be clean and tidy with feet well shod or trimmed. For all tests above D standard ponies should be plaited. Ponies always look smarter with oiled feet – you don’t have to use hoof oil – any hoof dressing or ointment will look just as smart.
• Tack should be clean, safe and fit correctly. Don’t forget to check the size of the stirrups; they don’t grow with your feet! There should be just enough room to get a finger either side of your boots.
• Numnahs or saddle pads must only be black, white, brown or dark blue and not so big that they swamp your pony.
• You should wear a tweed jacket, with Pony Club badge and felt on the left lapel.
• Shirt and Pony Club tie. Gloves, correctly fitted body protector for jumping, medical armband, Jodhpur boots and half chaps.
• Jodphurs can be cream or beige.
• Hats must be PC approved & display a PC tag.
• Hair should be in a hairnet if long and tied so it is above shoulder height.
• Absolutely no jewellery – other than a wrist watch. Earrings & other piercings are really dangerous!
• No button holes or other adornments.
• Do consider your underwear – there isn’t yet a ruling, just sensible advice! Boys need ‘supportive’ underpants or they may be uncomfortable. Girls would be better off leaving the ‘fashionable’ knickers for other occasions as seams can cause rubs. Under wired bras are very dangerous should you fall and sports bras much more practical.
• Spurs may only be worn if you have passed your B test or with the DC’s permission – this will only be given after you have been assessed using them by a Pony Club accredited instructor. You do need to know how to use them correctly or they will do more harm than good.

Rallies & Camp

• Your pony should be clean and tidy with feet well shod or trimmed. Ponies always look smarter with oiled feet – you don’t have to use hoof oil – any hoof dressing or ointment will look just as smart.
• Tack should be clean, safe and fit correctly. Don’t forget to check the size of the stirrups; they don’t grow with your feet! There should be just enough room to get a finger either side of your boots.
• Numnahs or saddle pads must only be plain with no braiding or logos, black, white, brown or dark coloured and not so big that they swamp your pony.
• The rider has a choice of attire for these – but please remember neat, tidy turnout is important at all Pony Club activities. You could wear a Shirt and Pony Club tie (with or without a tweed jacket) or any plain long sleeved shirt or sweatshirt. No Hoodies! Long sleeves are compulsory for riding cross country and are recommended at all times. They do help to reduce ‘gravel rash’ if you are unfortunate enough to fall off! Please remember that during camp you will need enough long sleeved shirts to last all week – as it may be hot it would be best to have thin ones!
• No buttonholes or other adornments.
• Jodphurs can be cream, beige, white, black, brown or any plain dark colour.

• Do consider your underwear – there isn’t yet a ruling, just sensible advice! Boys need ‘supportive’ underpants or they may be uncomfortable. Girls would be better off leaving the ‘fashionable’ knickers for other occasions as seams can cause rubs. Under wired bras are very dangerous should you fall and sports bras much more practical.
• Gloves should be worn whilst riding with a correctly fitted body protector for jumping, Jodhpur boots and half chaps.
• Hair should be in a hairnet if long and tied so it is above shoulder height.
• Hats must be PC approved & display a PC tag No fixed peaks when jumping 80cms or over. Jockey skull caps are recommended. .
• Absolutely no jewellery – other than a wrist watch.
• Earrings & other piercings are really dangerous
• Spurs may only be worn if you have passed your B test or with the DC’s permission – this will only be given after you have been assessed using them by a Pony Club accredited instructor. You do need to know how to use them correctly or they will do more harm than good.

Competitions

• Don’t forget to check that the bit and gadgets that your pony is wearing are legal for the event you are competing in!  
• As a basic rule for all dressage other than the D1 and Introductory 2007 you must only use a snaffle bit and no martingales are allowed. This applies when you are warming the pony up before the event as well.  
• Please also remember that the pony must only be ridden by the person competing it on the day – if anyone else gets on to school the pony, or even just to warm it up – you will get eliminated before you even start! 
• See the individual discipline rule books (available to download or purchase from www.pcuk.org) for accurate information. There is even a rule about the length of whips – so it’s best to have a look at the rule book before you get to a competition!
• Dress for pony and rider is mainly as for Pony Club tests.

• For the cross country (XC) phase of a one day event (ODE) you are allowed to wear XC colours – a long sleeved sweatshirt/jumper in any colour of your choice – with the exception of some cross country and hunter trials – do check the schedules – some branches will not let you wear XC colours, but insist on Hunting dress (Tweed Jacket, shirt and tie) or Pony Club sweatshirts.
• Jodhpurs beige or cream.
• Medical armbands and body protectors are compulsory for all XC.

• Hats must be PC approved & display a PC tag. No fixed peaks when jumping 80cms or over. Jockey skull caps are recommended for all levels.

• Do remember comfortable underwear!
• Don’t forget no jewellery is allowed.
• No button holes or other adornments on pony or rider..