U.S. Pony Club: A Horsey Story
U.S. Pony Club: A Horsey Story
By: Mackenzie - KidReporter
Pony club was started in 1954 by a group who wanted to not only teach kids about riding skills, but also how to care for their mount, learn about teamwork, participation, and fundamentals! Since then over 10,000 Pony Clubs have been created!
Club Sponsors are responsible for the direction of the club and will vote to carry out policies for the club. From the Club Sponsors, a District Commissioner (DC) and any Joint District Commissioners (JtDC) are recommended to the Regional Supervisor (RS) for appointment. In addition, the Club Sponsors elect a Secretary and Treasurer.
Typically to join a club, a child must have their own horse or access to a horse. Ownership of a horse or pony is not required for membership. Stallions are unsuitable mounts for Pony Club activities. Horses and ponies must be at least five years of age for USPC activities. Some clubs to have horses that members may use or have a relationship with an equestrian facility where an arrangement may be made for the members to use a horse, so if you don't have a horse, be sure to ask about how this will affect your child should they become a member of the club. Riding Centers are equestrian facilities that have been recognized by USPC to offer the Pony Club program. Typically centers have horses that are available to their members.
Each club is different as to the activities they offer, when and how often they meet the local dues charged, and the expectations for the members and parent involvement. The fee that you must pay to join Pony Club, depends on the specific club you are joining, for instance for a national club it would cost $115 for a new membership or $95 to renew one; to join a regional club the price would differ between regions; local Pony Clubs would differ just like regional costs. There is no national minimum age for joining Pony Club, but some clubs, centers and regions have set a minimum age.
Pony Club members participate in mounted meetings where the basics of riding skills are taught continually at all levels. All clubs and centers try to organize a program that is fun, educational and interesting to younger and older members. Mounted meetings are often structured so that older, upper-level members who are serious about setting and pursuing their goals may practice at their own level of intensity. Younger members are offered lots of fun mixed in with educational opportunities. In addition to the mounted meetings, there are also unmounted meetings where you are on your feet and are taught how to take care of the horse, this is called Horse Management instruction. Some examples of lessons are: feed (cost and type), shoeing, vet visits, temperature, pulse and respiratory rate, training schedules, tack (examples: care, fitting, construction, use), breeds of horses and ponies, safety issues, grooming, loading and hauling, First Aid, breeding/foaling, stable manners, understanding horse sports, and so much more.
Through participation in PC (Pony Club) kids and parents move up levels and demonstrate their riding skills. Lots of kids have enjoyed learning about horses and ponies, and made great friends while doing PC- so why don’t you?!