Should i do pony club

As members learn and develop at their own pace, they have the opportunity to progress through the Pony Club Certification system.

Certifications are how members show their progress through levels of riding and horse knowledge. Certifications go from grassroots skills at the D-level, all the way up the most advanced A-level. For very young members there is Junior Pony Club, a fourteen week program designed to introduce Pony Club in an easy-to-understand manner.

During camps, certifications, and Rallies there is time to be around friends — both human and equine. At camps, members will spend days immersed in horse-care heaven, and learning in special lessons from visiting instructors.

Gabby Dickerson is a year-old professional eventing trainer who runs her Gabby Dickerson Eventing business out of Charlottesville, Virginia. She spent five years working for Kim Severson and then moved to Europe for two years to continue her education with riders such as Nicola Wilson, Ingrid Klimke and Dirk Schrade.

Lindsay Berreth Photo In Pony Club I learned how to study, how to be social and ask for help from other kids, to be responsible and understand how and why my horses are fed and cared for the way that the are, how to fail at a testing but persevere and pass the next time, and so on. Tags: Gabby Dickerson , Pony Club. Video Analyses, Virtual Lessons And Couch Time Isn't For Everyone. Knowing When To Say Goodbye. A Dressage Trainer's Journey Into Or you can join one of the Riding Centers and use their horses!

Most rallies have teams of 4 riders and an unmounted stable manager. Winners of regional rallies can go on to the national level. You must pay National, Regional, and local dues each year to be a Pony Club member. All Clubs are non-profit organizations and most hold fundraisers to help offset their programs. Pony Club is a volunteer organization and many hands make light work!

Ideally, parents or supporters should be present during meetings. All families are encouraged to work to make our clubs and region successful. And the rallies require many volunteers. We are a far-flung Northern Virginia region with members from Arlington to Richmond and just over the border into West Virginia. Some of us have horses at home, while others board at small barns. Look at our map to see where they meet and follow the links to some of the Clubs' websites near you.

If they earn a higher certification between the rally and Championships, they get to decide if they want to compete at the original certification or the higher certification. Please let your discipline secretary know at which what certification level you would like to compete. A: All Championships divisions will focus on competitor preparedness and a rigorous competition schedule.

Competitors are encouraged, but not required, to attend discipline educational workshops. All Modified Championships divisions will include required educational workshops, a shortened competition schedule competition and will include more one on one time with the HM staff.

Q: Can members participating in standard Championships divisions be placed on teams with members participating in modified Championships divisions?

A: Because standard competitors and modified competitors will be competing over different courses and are being pinned separately they cannot be placed on the same team. Q: I am having difficulty meeting the competition requirements for my desired discipline. There is a specific process for requesting these exceptions, which are outlined here.

Q: I would like to request an exception to the discipline competition eligibility requirement. When can I make that request?

A: Through their RS and the specified process, a member may request an exception at any point in the competition year. This will accommodate members planning their upcoming competition season. Can I bring a replacement mount? A: Through their RS and the process specified in the discipline rulebook, a member may request a s ubstitution of mount for Championships.

Does this count as two competitions towards championships competition eligibility? A: While participation in a rally that is conducted within the framework of a recognized event may seem to be fulfilling two obligations at one time, it does NOT count as two qualifying outings for your Eventing Affidavits.

You are still only completing one competition. The purpose of requiring two affidavits is to show that you have two experienced separate competitions at your level of competition.

Q: I was received a technical elimination at Eventing rally because I jumped the wrong fence on Cross-Country. Am I still eligible for Championships? A: While you would not be eligible for standard Eventing Championships, which requires the completion of the competition without elimination. You may still be eligible for modified Eventing Championships where a technical elimination does not prohibit you from earning eligibility.

Please review the current rulebook and current Guidebook to Championships for full details. Q: There are so many Games divisions, what will happen if there aren't enough teams to support all the divisions? A: Divisions may be combined based on entry numbers and approval of the organizer and the Vice President of Activities, for Championships. Communication with regions and entered competitors will be made if divisions are combined or team size changes need to be made to hold a viable Games competition.

Q: Can members that earn eligibility on a pairs team at regional rally play on a five-rider team at Championships or vice versa? A: Yes, members must earn eligibility for Championships by riding at regional rally and completing on all eligibility requirements. Q: If members can switch team sizes to go to Championships, why is there a Team Formation appendix in the Games Rulebook?

Exceptions may apply based on participation numbers within your club or region, but the algorithm should be attempted. If you have questions on team formation, you may ask the Games Committee Chair or contact the National Office. They play on a team with friends who are all seniors outside of Pony Club and would like to go to Championships together. A: Yes. Subsequently, they also need to have achieved the minimum riding certification level of C-1 and have it recorded with the National Office by the closing date of the Championships.

Standard division riders must meet the minimum age of 12 as of January 1st. Members may only play up one age group. Example youth to junior, junior to senior Q: I do not meet age or certification requirements for the standard division. I really want to try to qualify for one of the invitational cup competitions. Can I email the Games Committee Chair for an exemption? The Games Committee Chair cannot grant exceptions for age or certification.

Please note that no age or certification exceptions are granted for Championships. Q: I was received eight jumping faults and five time penalties during Show Jumping rally. A: Yes! Time penalties do not count towards the maximum number of penalties outlined in Show Jumping Championships competition eligibility. Please review the current rulebook and current Guidebook to Championships for details on maximum jumping faults per competition division.

A: The Standard Youth Open yo division.