Not My Little Pony

The United States Pony Club (USPC); no this is not a club all about “My Little Pony” with lots of pink and sparkles. It is the exact opposite. The USPC originated in England, and has since move across the US. Every state has multiple Pony Clubs. Two of the most local clubs in Iowa are the Timber Ridge Pony Club, my club, and Silver Bits Pony Club.

Pony Club teaches people to ride confidently with good balance and control of their horse. Along with riding skills, it teaches basic horse management and veterinarian skills that are essential to correct care of your horse. To teach these skills, Pony Club has created a system of standards and ratings. A rating describes your level of knowledge and riding. The lowest level is a D-1, it goes upward to a D-2, then D-3, C-1, C-2, C-3, H/B, B, H/A, A. A is the highest level you are able to achieve it “is divided into two parts: the H/A, which covers horse management, teaching and training and the A, which tests the riding phase. The A is able to ride mounts at various levels of schooling with judgment, tact and effectiveness; to train young mounts; and to retrain spoiled mounts. Like the B, the A understands and is able to explain the reasons for what he or she is doing and to contribute to the education of younger Pony Club members.” http://www.ponyclub.org/pdfs/ShowJumpingSpecialtyStandards2009.pdf

Twice a year, a club will hold a “ratings”, this is where a national examiner comes in and tests you on all the knowledge and riding skills needed to move up to a new level. As you move up in levels, the tests get harder and more complicated; more independence is expected of you while riding, as well as a better understanding of how to take care of your horse.

I have already talked about some of the basics of riding, but not the knowledge. As a lower level Pony Clubber, you are expected to learn basic safety habits around the barn. Things such as how to clean a stall, groom your horse, or how to treat cuts or scraps. They also expect you to know basic nutrition for your horse, and how to properly get him fit for an event. Over all you need to know how to keep your horse sound and healthy.

Pony Club is a great way to get introduced to the horse world and then become successful in it. It teaches how to be safe and productive around horses. I would recommend it to anyone who loves horses:).