What to wear and when
The Pony Club has a super reputation for good standards of learning, dress and manners, and to maintain that it is important you respect our instructors by dressing TIDILY and SMARTLY for rallies, arriving in good time with clean appropriate tack.
Rallies are where you come to learn: coloured jodphurs and pompom hats are for home or the yard!
All parents and children are expected to arrive 15 minutes before their rally and stay after to help put ALL equipment away – this applies to ALL disciplines
Mobile Phones, Go-pros, Body Cameras or any other recording device are not permitted on a rider when riding at any pony club rally or event. Please note mobile phones in pockets whilst riding is also not permitted.
Rallies – Dressage, Show Jumping and Games
Dress
PC sweatshirt
White long-sleeved shirt and PC tie or stock.
Preferably beige jodhpurs
PC Polo Shirt also allowed
Hairnets – not just hair tied back in a pony tail.
No Jewellery
Jodhpur boots with clips or half chaps (no tassels) or long boots
Hat – PLAIN black or navy cover Hats: EN 1384 1996, BS EN 1384 1997 all with BSI Kitemark; AS/NZS 3838 1998, AS/NZS 3838 2003
ARE THE ONLY HATS PERMITTED AT PONY CLUB
Whips and Spurs
Please be aware that the whip and spur guidance has been amended for 2022.
For Show Jumping and Cross Country a padded whip must be used when competing , full details of the type of whip can be found in the relevant sport Rulebook. A padded whip is defined as:-
* The maximum length of the “Whip” is 70cm and must be no less than 45cm.
* The “Contact area”, is considered to be 2/5’s (two fifths) of the overall length of the “Whip” and must be covered with a “Pad”.
* There must be no “binding” within 17 centimetres of the end of the “Pad”.
* The “Pad” must be smooth, with no protrusion or raised surface, and be made of shock absorbing material throughout its circumference such that it gives a compression factor of at least 6mm.
Although not mandatory we do ask that a padded whip is used in all jumping rallies.
In order to improve welfare of horses and ponies competing under The Pony Club, appropriate and excessive use of the whip has been defined, all members should be aware that excessive use of the whip will result in disqualification.
Spurs must only be used to enhance the normal leg aids and never to vent a competitor’s anger. Use of spurs which cause injury e.g. blood or broken skin is always classed as misuse, any misuse of spurs anywhere on a showground will result in disqualification. Spurs, if worn, may be no longer than 3cm and must be fitted with any curve pointing downwards. They must be blunt and without rowels or sharp edges. Written permission from your DC to wear spurs should be carried.
Tack – CLEAN! Arrive with any permitted tack you might need for flatwork and/or jumping. If in doubt please ask the rally organiser what you will be doing.
Cross Country Rallies
Dress
PC sweatshirt plus body protector
Or PC XC colours preferably with long Sleeves
Preferably beige jodhpurs
Hairnets – not just hair tied back in a pony tail.
No Jewellery
Neck tie advised
Jodhpur boots with clips or half chaps (no tassels) or long boots
Hat – coloured cover if preferred. Jockey Skull – No fixed peaks – Hats: EN 1384 1996, BS EN 1384 1997 all with BSI Kitemark; AS/NZS 3838 1998, AS/NZS 3838 2003 ARE THE ONLY HATS PERMITTED AT PONY CLUB
Padded whip maximum length 70cm.
Tack – preferably white, cream, navy, brown or black numnahs or saddle pads and girths–.
Snaffles (or variations of) are permitted and all bits must be in their manufactured condition without any additions.
Snaffles, Pelhams, kimblewicks, gag snaffles, American or continental gags may be used. Any bit guards must be smooth on both sides and black or brown.
Running, standing, Irish and bib martingales are permitted.
Cavesson, drop, grackle, flash and kineton nosebands are permitted, but only one may be worn at a time.
Brushing boots or open-fronted boots or bandages may be worn. Over-reach boots.
Studs – if needed and maybe ask instructor which size to use.
Stirrups must be of the correct size to fit the rider’s boot and must have .75” or 7mm clearance on either side
Spurs, if worn, may be no longer than 3cm and must be fitted with any curve pointing downwards. They must be blunt and without rowels or sharp edges.
Important Note :
When competing in each discipline please check with the current year’s rule book for your dress and tack requirements. Hat requirements are the most likely to change. This is down to parents to check before competitions, discipline managers will do their best to make sure you get it right a training in preparation.