Pony Club Handbook2013 - The Pony Club Branches

PONY CLUB EFFICIENCY TESTS
Purpose and Structure
The Tests are intended to assess Riding & Horse & Pony Care in a structured way. There are
a number of Tests ranging in difficulty from E, which is the easiest, to the A, the most
difficult. The Tests must be attempted in succession. The syllabi are published on Test cards
& can be found on the main web site. Each test is a standard judged using the syllabus
produced by the Training Committee. The underpinning of knowledge from previous
Efficiency Tests should still be obvious when examined.
E STANDARD: This test is an entirely voluntary option. Recommended age 4+ years. Felt
colour Citron Yellow
ROAD RIDER MINI ACHIEVEMENT BADGE: Members must have this badge before
taking their D test.
D STANDARD: Recommended minimum age 8 years. Felt colour Yellow
D+ STANDARD: Recommended minimum age 10 years. Felt colour White
ROAD RIDER ACHIEVEMENT BADGE: Members must have this before taking their C Test.
C STANDARD: Recommended minimum age 11 years. Felt colour Green
C+ STANDARD: Members may attempt the Riding & Horse & Pony Care sections of the Test
separately but this is not recommended. Minimum age 13 years. Felt colour Pink
THE ROAD RIDER TEST: Members must have this Test before taking B Test. Recommended
age 12 years.
B STANDARD: This Test has two parts The Riding Test & Horse & Pony Club Care Test. These
parts may be taken separately. Recommended age 15/16 years.
LUNGEING TEST: The test may be taken after B test or B Horse & Pony Care. It is necessary to
pass the Lunging test before attempting AH Test. Candidates must be 16 years or older.
B+ STANDARD: This test is designed as a stepping to stone towards the A test & is optional
Candidates must be 16 years or older.
AH STANDARD: Horse and Pony Care Test Preferred age 17 years or older
‘A’ RIDING STANDARD: The ‘A’ test is the highest award of the Pony Club & provides a
comprehensive examination in Horsemanship. Passing ‘A’ Test is a really worthwhile
achievement & provides the foundation to specialise in a branch of equitation. Normally taken
between 17 & 21years.
THE PONY CLUB HUNTING CERTIFICATE: for members between the ages of 11 -15 yrs
for those who currently hunt, or would like to hunt.
SOUTH & WEST WILTS HUNT BRANCH
OF THE PONY CLUB
WEB SITE: www.pcuk.org
HANDBOOK 2013
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: Mrs Nikki Forbes Tel: 07890 047706 Kingfisher
Stud, Riding Gate, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 8NQ kingfisherstud@aol.com
ASSISTANT DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: Mrs Sarah Fagan
Tel: 01985 844123 / 07765 708461 Humphrey’s Orchard, Kingston Deverill,
Warminster, Wilts BA12 7HG sarah@fagan.co.uk
SECRETARY: Mrs Carol Huett Tel: 01985 840009
Willowmead Barn, Heytesbury, Wilts BA12 0EG carolhuett@msn.com
TREASURER: Mrs Lucy Pitman Tel: 01985 847408 Cruck Cottage, 19 Bishopstrow,
Warminster, Wilts BA12 9HN lucypitman@virginmedia.com
HEALTH& SAFETY OFFICER: Mr Frank Connelly Tel: 07776 135404
fjc@itambulance.co.uk
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR: Miss Gaye Farquharson Tel: 01747 840450
07785 185007 gaye.farquharson@btinternet.com
SENIOR GROUP LEADER: Mrs Serena Rainbow Tel: 01747 853544
cowherdshutefarm@btinternet.com
INTERMEDIATE GROUP LEADER: Mrs Clare Johnson Tel: 01747 826891
clarejohnson826@hotmail.co.uk
JUNIOR GROUP LEADER: Mrs Emma Miller Tel: 01747 840270
blackwaterfarm@btconnect.com
MINI GROUP LEADER: Mrs Jane Millard Tel: 01747 861990
jane.millard3@btinternet.com
TETRATHLON: Mr Charlie Lane 01749 812667 charlie@coachroadfarm.co.uk
EVENTING: Mrs Carolyn Lissack 07778 205579 carolyn@lissack.biz
DRESSAGE: Mrs Charlotte Feltham 07866 935383 fordoakfarm@hotmail.co.uk
JUNIOR CAMP: Mrs Kate Clarke 07877 596227 & Ms Sophie Douglas 07973 822583

*************
Merchandise - Sweatshirts, ties, badges and manuals etc Mrs Jane Millard
jane.millard3@btinternet.com 01747 861990
Website Manage – Ms Ros Abel rosalindabel@myhomemove.com
BRANCH EVENTS & COMPETITIONS 2013
Senior Camp - Monday 29 th July-Saturday 3 rd August
Junior Camp - Tuesday 30 th July-Friday 2 nd August
Mini Camp - Thursday 25 th July-Saturday 27 th July
Pony Club Show - Sunday 30 th June Turnpike Showground, Motcombe
Mini Triathlon & Hunter Trial - Friday 23 rd August Rodmead Farm, Maiden Bradley
All programmes and competition schedules will be available to download from our
website
BOOKING AND ATTENDING RALLIES
Plan ahead, book into rallies in good time, enter the dates in your diary.
Return your rally slip with the appropriate fee to the organiser as early as possible.
Cheques should be made payable to South & West Wilts Pony Club.
If you have to withdraw from a rally let the organiser know as soon as possible as
there might be a waiting list. A refund cannot be guaranteed as a commitment
to cost will have been made.
REMEMBER to ring the rally organiser for times on the given date.
Let the organiser know when you book if you are sharing transport.
Arrive a minimum of 20 minutes before the start time so that you are ready to ride
on time. If you arrive late you may not be allowed to join in.
Introduce yourself to the rally organiser.
At the end of your ride please remember to thank your instructor and to thank the
organiser before you leave.
Take to all rallies the necessary equipment for removing droppings, straw etc
from parking areas before you leave. Many people give freely of their venue
but do not appreciate having to clear up behind you after you have gone.
CORRECT DRESS FOR RALLIES
Hat: with Pony Club tag (Spot checks will be made throughout the year)
PAS 015:1998 or EN 1384:1996 or BS EN 1384:1997 With the BSI
Kitemark. Snell E2001 with the official Snell label and number.
AS/NZS 3838 1998 or AS/NZS 38382003. A jockey skull cap with no fixed
peak must be worn for any type of cross country riding.
The 2 underlined meet higher impact criteria and give more protection.
Hat Cover: Black, navy blue or brown.
Hair Net for girls.
White/Blue shirt with collar or Branch Polo shirt (long sleeves if jumping)
Pony Club Tie. (Stock if holder of ‘B’ test or Senior Area Team member)
Pony Club Badge with efficiency test felts.
Tweed Jacket or pony club branch sweatshirt.
Jodhpurs (beige or navy not denim).
Black or brown jodhpur boots with matching chaps or riding boots.
Plain coloured gloves (usually black, brown or navy).
Cross country: PC sweatshirt/rugby shirt, body protector, medical armband
at both a rally and competition.
Body Protectors are optional for Members except when jumping cross
country fences.
Neck straps to be worn by all horses and ponies at all types of rallies.
Spurs are only allowed to be worn by those who have passed the riding part
of their ‘B’ Test or those carrying written permission from the DC.
Stirrups must have 7mm (1/4”) clearance on either side of riders boot.
Care Rallies: Jeans/slacks & Pony Club sweatshirt with sensible footwear.
No Jewellery is allowed for safety reasons.
TURN OUT AT MOUNTED RALLIES
Horses/Ponies & tack including numnahs & boots/bandages is expected to be
clean as are riders boots, clothing & Pony Club Badge. The DC takes a dim
view of those incorrectly dressed or with a poor standard of turnout.
IMPORTANT - TRANSPORTING YOUR HORSE OR PONY
Members must adhere to the law and carry their pony or horse passport
with them whenever they transport their horse/pony to a rally or competition