www.ponyclub.org
http://midcal.ponyclub.org

I would like to exend a special thank you to Dover Saddlery for being a sponsor of the Riding Center Program which enables interested youth to participate in this very special and valuable experience.

Congratulations to our newest members, Cori and Ainsleigh, who have put in stellar performances at Eventing and Dressage competitions during the 2011 Show season.

In-House Unmounted meetings

Demonstrating teamwork in accomplishing tasks

Learning about how to set up your trailer at rallies

Our Farrier, Mary Fernstrom, teaches us about hoof care

Learning about boots and bandages and leg protection

Rallies
Mock Eventing

Lauren P. riding her dressage test

Noelle and Avril finishing the cross country course

Quiz

Middle California Quiz Championship Team

Clinics hosted for Middle California

Judge's Training Clinic

Rally preparation

Ratings Tests

Inspection at ratings test

Meeting Dates
Our Pony Clubbers meet twice a month studying a variety of different topics. They receive reading assignments to prepare them for their instruction, they see real life scenarios to help gain a better understanding of situations they may encounter, they practice what they are taught, and they are quized on the previous meeting's subject material to test for understanding.

2012 Welcome newest members tansferring from other clubs, Hillary Martin-Dressage Instructor-B Traditional, Cori-C-2, Ainsleigh-D-3 and newcomer, Brooke

2011 Remaining dates

Dec 3-mounted,1pm, Ratings Test
Dec 17-unmounted, 1pm

For further information on signing up for the program, call Rhonda Weiss at 650-444-3289. What is Pony Club?
The United States Pony Club was founded in 1954 and is a youth organization teaching leadership, responsibility and overall care of the horse. It consists of a standardized program which is clearly outlined for participants to follow along their path of equestrian education. Learning is conducted through mounted/ unmounted meetings and rallies that foster teamwork in a fun learning environment with other horse enthusiasts.
What are ratings and tests?
The ratings are a way of measuring achievement of horse care knowledge and riding skills. Kids experience a satisfying sense of accomplishment when they receive each new rating level. The ratings are nationally recognized and tells anyone who understands Pony Club, the rider's proficiency level with regard to horse care and riding. The beginning levels are known as the D ratings and consist of D-1, D-2 and D-3. Participants learn the introductory skills of caring for and riding their mounts. There are three areas of learning; horse management, riding on the flat and riding over fences. Some of the basic skills for all three D ratings are listed below:
Horsemanagement includes naming parts of the horse, naming parts of the saddle and bridle. Learning how to properly groom their horses, feed their horses, stall cleaning, maintaining the stable, how to tack and untack their horses, what is a stable vice? how to set up a stall card, name colors of horses, markings of horses, name some breeds, know reasons for daily hoof care, give reasons for bandageing or seeing a veterinarian, keeping a health maintenence record book, know rules for riding on public roads.
Riding on the flat skills include mounting and dismounting , performing balancing and suppling exercises for rider, simple turns and large circles, riding without stirrups, trot on correct diagonal, sitting and posting trot, canter in both directions aware of leads, demonstrate an increase and decrease of speed riding over cavalletti, riding safely in a group, and developing a basic balanced seat.
Riding over fences skills include walk over poles on ground in jumping position, maintain jumping position at the trot, on the flat and over ground poles, ride a simple stadium course of 4-7 obstacles of cross bars and verticals height set based upon rating to be tested, riding over a gymnastic grid of trot poles, development of balance and steady position over fences, jump course of cross country fences, discuss ways to control mount in the open, ride safely in a group over varied terrain, through shallow water, small ditches. The Intermediate levels are the C levels consisting of C-1, C-2 and C-3. The more advanced levels are the HA/HB and the highest level achieved being the A level. More detailed information on these ratings can be found on the National website.