USPC DISCIPLINES

Being part of Pony Club offers the opportunity to experience a wide variety of disciplines in order to become more well-rounded equestrians. Trying new horse sports is a fun way to improve riding skills. In addition to 11 competitive disciplines, Pony Club provides resources to learn and explore many other equestrian sports. Pony Club emphasizes safety and horse care in all activities so that the wellbeing of horse and rider is always a top priority. One of the most unique aspects of Pony Club is the team competition format. Competing as a team forges strong bonds while also developing leadership and communication skills through horsemanship. Here’s a look at the disciplines included in Pony Club activities today.

HORSE MANAGEMENT

Horse Management encompasses all aspects of horse care, including health, maintenance, nutrition and handling. Members are required to keep a Health and Maintenance Record Book for a horse they own or care for to complete the Horse Management portion of their certifications, and Horse Management knowledge is tested during member certifications and evaluated at USPC rallies.

THE GOALS OF HORSE MANAGEMENT

The ultimate goal of Horse Management is to create a safe, knowledgeable, well-rounded horse person. It has helped shape the core values of Pony Club.

DID YOU KNOW?

Horse Management (HM) is an integral part of Pony Club at all levels of the organization; teaching and learning about horse care has always been the foundation for Pony Club. In 2020, the USPC announced an updated certification path focused entirely on Horse Management from the most beginner level to the most advanced. With the addition of the HM certification, members do not need to own a horse, just have access to one. There’s also no need to focus on a specific riding discipline or fulfill a riding requirement.

Dressage is the art of improving your horse, making them more supple in their movements, a joy to ride and beautiful to watch.

THE GOALS OF DRESSAGE

The object of Dressage is the harmonious development of the horse in both mind and body. Every horse, regardless of its type or use, can benefit from this training. Dressage requires the horse and rider to combine strength and agility with elegance and beauty.

COMPETITIONS

Competitions are held at many levels, beginning with Walk-Trot and Training Level, and continuing through nine levels to Grand Prix. During a dressage test, all movements and certain transitions from one gait or movement to another are scored individually on a scale from 0 to 10. A score of 0 means that virtually nothing of the movement was performed, while a score of 10 is excellent. The individual scores are added and then calculated as a percentage of possible points to come up with a score. The highest percentage wins the class. Tests are different for each level and are written so there is a way to consistently measure the horse’s progress through the levels. Judges are looking for accuracy, obedience, suppleness of the horse, quality of the gaits, and the rider’s use of aids. There are also musical freestyle dressage tests for individual riders, pairs, and groups of four or more.

SPECIAL AWARDS

MUSICAL FREESTYLES

Training: 1st-10th place individual ribbons First Level and above: 1st-10th place individual ribbons Pas de Deux: (combined division including Training and First Level and above) 1st-10th place team ribbons Quadrille: 1st-10th place team ribbons Dover “I Love Pony Club” Pin: This special award recognizes the 1st place competitors in the Musical Kur, Pas de Deux and Quadrille Musical. It is a replica of the gold “I Love Pony Club” pin that belonged to Robert Dover’s mother. Mrs. Dover’s original pin is on display at USPC National Office in Lexington, Kentucky.

DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Organizer: Terry Abrams Secretary: Lynn du Celliee Muller Technical Delegate: Carolyn West Judges: Julie Congleton, Sarah Geikie, Susan Posner, Karen Winn Horse Management: Yvonne Ferrante, Catie Itschner, Melissa DaBadie, Cindy Medina, Elizabeth Young Other Volunteers: Melissa Hopkins, Sandy Lambert

DID YOU KNOW?

Dressage is also an Olympic sport; recent USPC dressage Olympians include Allison Brock (Lio Lii); Kasey Perry-Glass (Sierra Gold) and Adrienne Lyle (South Whidbey).

Dressage in Pony Club came about naturally from the connection with Eventing. As increased land development in the 1970s resulted in loss of open space for riding activities, Dressage and Show Jumping grew in popularity because they could more easily take place on smaller properties. At the first Festival in 1983 at the Kentucky Horse Park, Championships included Dressage for the first time. A Dressage specialty certification was added in 2007, and today Pony Club members can earn Dressage certifications from the very basic D-2 level up to the highest levels of accomplishment.

The sport of Eventing is the ultimate test of a horse and rider’s versatility, fitness and stamina. It’s often described as an equine triathlon because it has three phases of competition, including Dressage, CrossCountry, and Show Jumping.

THE GOALS OF EVENTING

Originally developed in the cavalries of Europe as a test of the ideal military charger, Eventing has now evolved into an exciting sport attracting interest from all levels of sports enthusiasts, from weekend hobby riders to professional international stars.

PHASE ONE: DRESSAGE

The French term for “training,” dressage is very important to the event horse. It helps to develop the muscular strength, suppleness, obedience, and maneuverability needed in the other two phases of competition.

PHASE TWO: CROSS-COUNTRY

The object of this test is to prove the speed, endurance, and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles. In order to accomplish this task, the horse and rider must be at peak condition. The horse must be bold, smart, and obedient, and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horse’s energy as necessary.

PHASE THREE: STADIUM JUMPING

Not an ordinary show jumping competition, the sole object of this final test is to demonstrate that after a test of endurance, the horses have retained suppleness, energy, and obedience.

SPECIAL AWARDS

USEA Individual Ribbons: 1st-10th place individual divisions.

Frank Bierman Award for Excellence in Eventing:

Awarded annually, in honor of Frank Bierman, former facilities manager at Virginia Horse Center, this award goes to the Training Level competitor at Championships that has a clean cross country ride closest to optimum time and whose horse has an acceptable recovery rate and completes the competition without being eliminated in any phase. The recipient will receive an engraved Jefferson cup as well as having their name added to the perpetual trophy on display at the USPC headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.

EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Organizer: Laura Pitt Secretary: Patricia Palm Technical Delegate: Mellisa Warden President of the Ground Jury: Sara Miller Leary Dressage Judge: Karen Winn

Cross Country and Stadium Course Designer:

William Robertson Horse Management: Becky Smith, Paul Chance, Lori Underwood, Sedate Kohler, Anne Vaculik, Ann Adams Other Discipline Staff: Kim Goto Miner, Shelley Nevins, Laura Gorrell, Jennifer Crowl, Donna Bottner

DID YOU KNOW?

Eventing originally developed as a test of the ideal military mount, and today it has evolved into an exciting sport for all levels of participants, including Olympic competition.

The 2021 U.S. Eventing Olympic Team is a powerhouse of Pony Club graduates, with Phillip Dutton (AUS – Nyngan Hills Pony Club, New South Wales); Liz Halliday-Sharp (Fallbrook Pony Club); Boyd Martin (AUS – Forest Hills Pony Club) and Doug Payne (Somerset Hills Pony Club) being selected to represent the United States at the Tokyo Olympics.

Since the introduction of Pony Club in the United States, Eventing has been part of Pony Club activities and competitions. Back then the sport was known as Combined Training; the name officially changed to Eventing in 2001. Beginning in 1955, Combined Training was the focus of the USPC National Rally (what we now call Championships). The original Standards of Proficiency for certifications were also rooted in the Eventing discipline. Certifications earned prior to 2007, when USPC began to offer certifications in different disciplines, are often still referred to as “Traditional.”

Mounted Games is a series of relay races on horseback, where the riders must perform different tasks while riding at speed and working as a team to complete each relay. It offers riders of all ages and abilities a fun way to learn riding skills and be part of a team with other riders. Ponies are typically the preferred mount of choice for games as their shorter stature offers an advantage for some of the races.

THE GOALS OF MOUNTED GAMES

A natural draw to all levels of riding abilities, Games provides a fun mounted sport that teaches the basic natural aids, physical coordination, self confidence, and teamwork skills. It also fosters sportsmanship and the proper care of mounts in new and younger members.

COMPETITIONS

The relays run the gamut from slower-paced with precision handling, to a fast pace with faultless execution. Hand-eye coordination and agility are honed by tasks like picking up objects on the ground while mounted, weaving through poles at high speeds, dunking an object into a basket at a full gallop, and passing a baton to other members of the team without slowing the pony. Games start at the Walk-Trot level.

SPECIAL AWARDS

The Frances E. Pitts Memorial Games Trophy:

This award is given in memory of Frances Pitts, a member of the 1995 USPC International Games team. This trophy is awarded to the Games player who demonstrates excellence in horsemanship, sportsmanship, and leadership. A permanent trophy is kept on display at the USPC National Office in Lexington, Kentucky, and each recipient receives a smaller “keeper” trophy engraved with his/her name. Organizer: Sharon DeCant Secretary: Nikki Gorrell Technical Delegate: Kenny Timmerman Judges: Diane Usher Horse Management: Lara Hubner, Shawna White, Amber Anderson Goodrich, Sue Poulton, Margo Miller, Katie Wilson Other Volunteers: Jessie Bradley-Johnson, David DeCant, Rachel Engrem, Ric Sutton

DID YOU KNOW?

Organized Mounted Games competition began in England in 1957 when HRH Prince Philip came up with the concept as a way for youth to ride and compete without the need for expensive ponies. The idea caught on in the US, and in 1963, Mounted Games was implemented within Pony Club. The sport became popular and soon local clubs were competing with some very talented Games teams. Games aficionado Jim Ligon produced a rulebook, and by 1973, the USPC was holding a National Games Championship.

Games competition has continued to grow as a popular Pony Club discipline. Opportunities include rallies, Championships and an International Exchange program. Since 1985, the Prince Philip Cup challenge has brought top USPC Games teams together to vie for the honor of having their names inscribed on the cup while demonstrating the fun of Games for spectators.

Gymkhana is a brand new discipline in Pony Club that allows riders to display their horsemanship and teamwork through precise, controlled actions at high speeds in timed, patterned races through barrels, poles or other markers

THE GOALS OF GYMKHANA

Gymkhana offers all riders the opportunity to compete in timed races in divisions suited to their abilities and under a uniform set of rules. The variety of races offers the enjoyment of horsemanship and sportsmanship that Gymkhana can provide. The goal of the horse and rider combination is to complete the race according to the established pattern and requirements without errors. Each race is designed to allow the rider/horse team to demonstrate their skill and partnership in a variety of skills and includes demonstrating control, variations of speed, turning and navigating obstacles, hand-eye coordination, and safely completing the race

COMPETITIONS

A Gymkhana rally will generally offer various races, from as few as four to as many as twelve per day. The competitions may be held in nearly any type of venue, although soil or sand footing is recommended as well as some perimeter fencing. There is a timer that records the time taken by each competitor in each

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race. Each race is run with one rider in the ring at a time. Most of the races are completed with poles and/ or barrels, although there are some race options with a few other types of equipment. At the highest levels, it is expected competitors will run these events at speed. Good horsemanship and safety are always a priority, and there are divisions even for the beginning rider.

GYMKHANA INVITATIONAL

Organizer: Kassy Scates Secretary: Erin Roland Technical Delegate: Kenny Timmerman Judges: Diane Usher Horse Management: Lara Hubner, Shawna White, Amber Anderson Goodrich, Margo Miller, Katie Wilson

DID YOU KNOW?

Gymkhana had its beginning with the English military during the Colonial period. On Sunday afternoons, the cavalry would compete in horseback games to sharpen their horsemanship. The word “gymkhana” is derived from the Hindi and Indian word referring to a place where sporting events took place. Through the years different events have been added, some of which originated in Europe and others which were developed in the USA.

Gymkhana officially became a discipline in Pony Club in 2019. A Gymkhana rally offers a variety of races, giving all riders the opportunity to compete in timed events in divisions suited to their abilities. Opportunities are currently growing from the local level to the national level, including an invitational event at Festival 2021.

Ride. Study. Compete. Excel.

Polocrosse is a game related to polo but played with a racquet similar to that used in lacrosse.

THE GOALS OF POLOCROSSE

Developed in Australia in the 1930s, Polocrosse has been played internationally with great enthusiasm. A logical extension of the Pony Club Games competition, Polocrosse develops strong self-confidence in riding ability while improving hand-eye coordination. Even beginner riders can manage this game that is lots of fun and encourages them to improve quickly. Polocrosse requires practice of ball handling skills: bouncing, picking up, throwing, and catching the ball in the net of the racquet. Players learn to cradle the ball to keep opposing players from hitting it out of the net. A horse must have good balance and respond well to rider aids. Horses quickly catch on, and seem to enjoy the game as much as their riders!

COMPETITIONS

A Polocrosse team for Pony Club consists of three players and a stable manager who may participate as a replacement. Horses wear leg wraps and bell boots for protection. Each game period, or chukka, is 6 or 8 minutes long. Each team usually plays four chukkas per day. Players use a ball made of soft rubber that bounces well and is caught, thrown, or carried in the net of a cane racquet.

SPECIAL AWARDS

The American Polocrosse Association Tournament

Belt Buckles: Custom silver belt buckles are awarded to each top scoring team member in each competition division based on their riding scores. Winners are determined by the highest number of chukkas by points awarded. Chuck and Beth Younger of Carolina Polocrosse Club donated the first APA/USPC trophy belt buckle at USPC Festival 2014. Thank you to Scott N and Jennifer J Carpenter for sponsoring the buckles for 2021 at the APA Sanctioned Tournament at USPC Festival on behalf of the American Polocrosse Association.

American Polocrosse Association Award for

Exemplary Sportsmanship:The APA Sportsmanship award is given annually to the USPC Polocrosse competitor (including stable managers), whose actions and behavior best exemplify excellent sportsmanship during the USPC Championships competition in a championship division. APA will award the recipient with an APA pin and one year’s paid membership to the APA. The chief umpire, CHMJ, and the TD select the winner.

The Cadillac Memorial Trophy: The Diemer Family annually awards the Cadillac Memorial Trophy in memory of their great Polocrosse mare Cadillac. Along with the honor of being named, the best horse is awarded a leather halter with the nameplate “Best Horse.” Selection made by the umpires based on fitness, agility, and responsiveness of the mount in the Championships division.

POLOCROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Organizer: Holly Beth Hatcher Secretary: Summer Weldon Technical Delegate: Emma Strider Horse Management: Robert Holt, Brenda Yike, Andrew Marsh Umpire: Rahul Desai Other Volunteers: Paul Johnson, Erin Strider

DID YOU KNOW?

Polocrosse got started in Pony Club in the early 1990s. As it gained popularity in the Maryland Region, Regional Supervisor Mickey Skipper was instrumental in getting Polocrosse added as a USPC Discipline. A group of dedicated Pony Club parents and leaders worked hard to gain momentum, source equipment and create the first Polocrosse rulebook, which was required in order to be a USPC sport. Polocrosse was approved as a USPC discipline in 1997. In 2004 the first USPC Polocrosse International Exchange was hosted in Kentucky.

The American Polocrosse Association (APA) and USPC have worked together to grow the sport, incorporating awareness of safety and horse care for youth riders. USPC has had several members go on to play in world championships for the APA.

Quiz is a non-riding, team competition designed to demonstrate in-depth horse management knowledge and skills.

THE GOALS OF QUIZ

The mission of Quiz is to promote a deep understanding and familiarity with the material presented at each certification level. Quiz is a fundamental and creative learning tool. Many aspects of Pony Club mounted rallies can be learned at a Quiz Rally. This rally, besides challenging the Pony Club members to learn horsemanship and horse care, provides members with opportunities to display and learn good sportsmanship, leadership, stewardship, and teamwork as they prepare thoroughly, plan and cooperate with their teammates.

DID YOU KNOW?

Quiz is a fundamental and creative learning tool in Pony Club. The mission of Quiz is to promote a deep understanding and familiarity with the required knowledge at each certification level. In addition to challenging Pony Club members to learn about horsemanship and horse care, Quiz provides opportunities to learn and practice teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship and more.

Prior to the current Quiz format came Know-Down, a knowledge-based competition with a question and answer format. Know-Down questions covered all aspects of horse health and care, plus riding knowledge, and Pony Club history and discipline rules. The first Know-Down Championships were held at Festival in 1983.

In 2001 the new Quiz format was introduced to test knowledge in different ways and become more interactive and hands-on. There are five phases in Quiz, including classroom, mega room, stations, barn and written test.

Over the past 20 years the questions and topics have varied and evolved, but Quiz has become a popular part of the Pony Club experience. Members who excel at Quiz may have the opportunity to participate on an international level with the North American Quiz Challenge and International Exchange. In 2021, the first-ever virtual Quiz rally was held online with close to a thousand competitors. In an effort to make Quiz more interactive there are five phases: Classroom, Stations, Mega Room, Barn, and Written Test. Quiz is competitive, challenging, and educational while promoting creativity and fun.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Individual Awards: 1st-10th place individual placings per division.

QUIZ CHAMPIONSHIPS

Organizer: Becky Logsdon Secretary: Amanda Baker On-site Secretary: Kellye Boylan Technical Delegate: Stephanie Infante Barn/Horse Management: Clare Burkhart, Stephanie Church, Krista Degitz, Leanne Barnett, Eric Poling, Abe Rastkar, Laura Smith, Robin Baker Other: Ed Barnett, Bruce Birr, Rae Birr, Stephan Church, Beth Bradley-Johnson, Laurie Chapman-Bosco, Ann Hill, Nicole Patenaude, Debra Sue Waters, David White, Sylvia White

Show Jumping is an exciting competition as horse and rider negotiate a course of obstacles within an arena. It utilizes physical skills to negotiate a series of obstacles, and mental skills to plan the proper lines and approaches to allow the horse to jump those obstacles. The jumps are colorful and of varying heights and widths.

THE GOALS OF SHOW JUMPING

Show Jumping is a lot of fun and improves the agility and focus of both horse and rider. Each course is intended to demonstrate the horse’s training and obedience, as well as the rider’s horsemanship. The goal of the horse and rider combination is negotiating the course without errors or disobediences.

COMPETITIONS

Show Jumping competitors face the challenge of several entirely different courses (rounds). Horse and rider gain an additional challenge: if they jump without penalties, they then immediately attempt a modified course as a timed jump-off. Pony Club Show Jumping competition is a team sport with Horse Management playing a significant role. Competitors work together develop a rapport and team camaraderie. The winning team accumulates the fewest penalty points.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Five ‘clear round’ ribbons: Clear round ribbons awarded to all riders who complete five clear rounds. Equitation ribbons: 1st-10th in each division (for scores 60 and higher).

Vieva Perrin Memorial Award for Horsemanship:

Awarded annually to the rider in the Regular Division who best exemplifies the classical principles of horsemanship and “the American jumping style”. Pair of spurs: presented to each competitor riding for the first time in the H3 division. Belt buckle: presented to each competitor riding for the first time in the H4 division. Judy Thayer Coaching Award: Given to the Coach who best demonstrates the attributes of Judy’s coaching style. A Coach who: a) Shows respect for the rider and especially

for the mount in the heat of the competition and after. b) Always encourage riders to focus on the positive in order to learn from each riding experience inside and outside the competition arena. c) Recognizes that the simplest methods in coaching often create the best communication between riders and their mounts.

SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Organizer: Ada Holley Secretary: Sand Wright Judges: Melissa Roades, Gegi Winslett Course Designers: Richard Lamb, Melissa Roades Stewards: Terri Foreman, Sam Ose Horse Management: Nicole P. DeMarco, Eileen Kirby, Karen Marcotte, Kimberly McDonnel, Kerry McKinley, Kelly Smith, Sydney Wilson Other: Karen Bush, Jerry Husted, Kate Kumitis, Stacie MacDonald, Kurtis Monahan, Terri Morris, Alicia Quinn, Sara Rhyne, Irv Richie, Kim Richie, David West, Eric Wright

DID YOU KNOW?

Show Jumping has long held a place in Pony Club as one of the phases of Eventing. In the late 1970s, demand grew at the local levels for Show Jumping as a club and regional activity. By 1978, a Show Jumping committee was formed and USPC added an East Coast InterRegional Show Jumping Rally in 1982. The first Show Jumping National Championships were held in 1984. Today Show Jumping remains a popular sport in Pony Club. The USPC has successfully fielded a national pony jumper team for the United States Equestrian Federation’s Pony Finals since 2002. A certification in Show Jumping was added in 2007. Olympic medalist Kent Farrington, currently one of the top Show Jumping riders in the world, is a graduate of Pony Club (St. James).

Show Jumping in Pony Club is a team competition that also includes a stable manager. The winning team is the one that accumulates the fewest penalty points.

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Tetrathlon offers a challenging four-phase competition of riding, running, shooting, and swimming. The sport requires solid horsemanship plus general athletic ability. Tetrathlon is a great way to combine interest in riding with other sports.

THE GOALS OF TETRATHLON

Tetrathlon requires sound horsemanship and general athletic ability. Its goal is to encourage Pony Club members to broaden their interest in riding and multiple sports. The development of Tetrathlon within Pony Club has been sought by the U.S. Modern Pentathlon and Olympic Committees as a means of developing multi-talented athletes. They offer guidance and training programs for outstanding athletes who meet their requirements for skill and endurance.

COMPETITIONS

The running phase challenges each competitor’s physical stamina and endurance over cross country terrain and may include negotiating obstacles such as hay bales, logs, and low fences. The shooting phase tests a competitor’s skill and accuracy in a standing position, using an air pistol on a 10-meter course of fire. The swimming phase allows competitors to demonstrate their swimming skills. The riding phase provides an opportunity to demonstrate equestrian skills over a stadium type course. Scoring is a combination of the competitor’s four phase scores.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Stettinius Achievement Award: This award is presented to the female USPC competitor with the highest overall score, in the highest offered division for the competition. Sacksen Achievement Award: This award is presented to the male USPC competitor with the highest overall score, in the highest offered division for the competition. George Helwig Team Award: Presented to the US team with the three highest individual scores, regardless of divisions, for each phase and added together. Geriann Henderson Sportsmanship Award: This award is presented to the Tetrathlon competitor who displays exceptional inclusiveness and unconditional support of teammates and competitors alike. The winner is chosen by a selection committee. Equitation Award: Awarded to one male and one female with the best equitation score. Perfect Score Award: Awarded to all competitors meeting the criteria.

TETRATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS

Organizer: Nichole Fisher Secretary: Sally Herbert Technical Delegate: Bonnie Lamonte Course Designer: William Robertson Horse Management: Robert Holt, Brenda Yike, Andrew Marsh Riding Judge: Julie Congleton Other: Tim Herbert, Colin Tilzey, Karen Gerard, Ned Gerard, Rich Rogers, Angie Binkard, Carri Vinski

DID YOU KNOW?

Tetrathlon as a Pony Club competition originated in England and was introduced to the USPC in 1972. It was intended to appeal to boys in Pony Club, but by the 1980s girls joined in on the competition too. The US Modern Pentathlon and Olympic committees encouraged the growth of Tetrathlon in Pony Club as a way to develop multi-talented athletes. The first USPC Tetrathlon Championship was in 1974 and today Tetrathlon is an established discipline at all USPC Championships.

Western Dressage grew from the idea that the principles of classical dressage benefit any horse and rider.

THE GOALS OF WESTERN DRESSAGE

Western Dressage has levels from Intro (walk-trot, simple figures) to Level 4 (collected gaits, half-pass, pivots, lead changes) that focus on developing rhythm, balance, relaxation, and suppleness in both horse and rider. The goal is free forward movement on light contact, and downhill carriage, extravagant or impure gaits are not rewarded.

COMPETITIONS

Competitions are held at many levels, beginning with Walk-Trot and Training Level, and continuing through nine levels to Grand Prix. During a dressage test, all movements and certain transitions from one gait or movement to another are scored individually on a scale from 0 to 10. A score of 0 means that virtually nothing of the movement was performed, while a score of 10 is excellent. The individual scores are added and then calculated as a percentage of possible points to come up with a score. The highest percentage wins the class. Tests are different for each level and are written so there is a way to consistently measure the horse’s progress through the levels. Judges are looking for accuracy, obedience, suppleness of the horse, quality of the gaits, and the rider’s use of aids. There are also musical freestyle dressage tests for

SPECIAL AWARDS

Musical Freestyles

Basic: 1st-10th place individual ribbons Level 1 and up: 1st-10th individual ribbons

WESTERN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Organizer: Terry Abrams Secretary: Lynn du Celliee Muller Technical Delegate: Carolyn West Judges: Susan Posner, Karen Winn Horse Management: Melissa DaBadie, Yvonne Ferrante, Catie Itschner, Cindy Medina, Elizabeth Young Other Volunteers: Melissa Hopkins, Sandy Lambert

DID YOU KNOW?

While the Western disciplines are fairly new to USPC, Pony Club members have been riding Western for decades! Pony Club Western Dressage is an excellent way to bring proven horse management programs and classical mounted exercises to a new audience of Western riders.

Pony Club began formally incorporating Western disciplines in 2009. Western Standards of Proficiency for local level tests (D1-C2) were released in 2012 so that Western riders could progress through the USPC program. With the education and development track in place, focus shifted to competition opportunities and in 2016 a separate Western Riding committee was added to the Activities Council.

Western Dressage was the first Western discipline offered at regional rallies, and USPC Festival 2017 hosted the first Western Dressage national competition. Western Dressage continues to be offered at every USPC Championship including Festival 2021, and the Western Dressage Committee formed in 2019 is working to help grow the sport within Pony Club.

Western trail is an individual competition where a horse and rider negotiate obstacles and are judged on how well they complete each one.

THE GOALS OF WESTERN TRAIL

Western Trail courses are designed to showcase the horse’s maneuverability, willingness, grace, training, and obedience, as well as the rider’s horsemanship. The obstacles are inspired by what a working ranch horse may encounter, such as gates, bridges, water, poles either raised or on the ground, a backing obstacle, and other tasks.

COMPETITIONS

Western Trail competitions comprise multiple rounds that feature courses designed to challenge the mount and rider in many ways. Western Trail courses can consist of anywhere from 8 to 12 obstacles and often include a gate, poles (either raised or on the ground), a bridge, a backing obstacle, water, cones, and a task such as transferring an object from one location to another. The mount and rider negotiate the specified course in an allotted time without major disobediences or negatively impacting the obstacle. Each obstacle is designed to challenge a mount and rider’s precision, communication, training, and mental preparedness. There may be a timed portion or an option to plan the most efficient course in some rounds or competitive levels to complete all the obstacles.

WESTERN INVITATIONAL

Organizer: Kassy Scates Secretary: Erin Roland Technical Delegate: Kenny Timmerman Horse Management: Amber Anderson Goodrich, Lara Hubner, Margo Miller, Shawna White, Katie Wilson

DID YOU KNOW?

As the offerings of USPC become more diverse, Western Trail became an official discipline in 2019.

Western Trail in Pony Club uses obstacles and challenges similar to those seen in other shows offering a trail class. Members compete on a team of three to four riders with a Stable Manager. At a rally they will generally complete two to three courses, which may include a traditionally judged trail course, a speed round with a time limit, and a course outside of an arena.

Thanks to a committee that worked hard to translate this type of competition into a Pony Club Rally format, the Western Trail Rulebook is now available and enthusiasm is building. To promote this fun new event, a Western Trail Invitational will be included for the first time at USPC Festival Championships 2021.

DISTANCE RIDING

Trail Riding is a favorite riding pursuit of equestrians worldwide, and has been for a long time. Of course, the friendly challenge of, “I can ride to town faster than you” turned the pastime into a competitive sport now known collectively as Distance Riding. This designation includes Endurance Racing, Competitive Trail Riding (CTR), Competitive Mounted Orienteering, Ride and Tie, and other competitions over distance. Generally, competitions are ridden over open country with some sort of checkpoint for mount and rider comfort, care, and safety. This Resource Discipline was set in place in USPC with the help of Sharon Saare, a renowned endurance and CTR rider and advocate for trail systems, who helped Pony Club establish a distance riding program in the early 1970s. While it continues to be a Resource (with no rulebook and competition criteria) it is a well-loved avenue for riding in the open and a way to be involved in trail use and preservation.

DRIVING

The competitive sport of Driving, although it has been around since the start of Driving itself, has flourished with in the last century. Pleasure Driving competitions pay tribute to the traditions and turnouts of the horse drawn era, scored on the performance and elegance of the equine, driver and the presentation of the vehicle and harness. Another discipline, Combined Driving, has become popular. Combined Driving consists of three phases: driven dressage, cones obstacles, and the marathon phase. In Pony Club, the sport of Driving is fairly new. Members are encouraged to participate in all aspects of horse care and maintenance as well as maintenance of harness and carriage. While not yet a Championship recognized discipline, driving is gaining popularity for members at the local levels who enjoy working with horses in a different capacity than riding.

FOXHUNTING

Since 1954, the leaders of The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. have maintained a close relationship with the world of Foxhunting. This can be traced to the fact that most of the early Pony Clubs in the United States had direct ties to hunts. The four founders of USPC – Dean and Louise Lott Bedford, Alexander Mackay-Smith, and Col. Howard Fair – were all hunting enthusiasts who recognized the importance of training and celebrating youth in the sport, while at the same time developing riding and horse management skills along with leadership and other life skills. Hunting and its age-old traditions reflect the essence of Pony Club training: dedication, discipline, patience, good manners, perseverance, promptness, and sportsmanship. Perhaps most important is that Foxhunting and Pony Club together work to preserve open space and lands and to promote effective land stewardship in order to instill a respect for and understanding of land and its importance to virtually all horse sports. Land stewardship and an understanding of open space preservation have become cornerstones of the Pony Club educational program. This is a direct and valuable outgrowth of Pony Club’s long history with foxhunting. For many years, various Pony Clubs and Regions have hosted Foxhunting camps that include both mounted and dismounted instruction for the participants. Additionally, USPC participates in various national and international Foxhunting exchanges which not only enable participants to enjoy the world of foxhunting, but also to engage in meaningful appreciation and sharing of cultural and regional traditions and customs.

Hunter Seat Equitation is derived from the hunt style of riding with a focus on basic balanced and effective communication between the rider and horse. As a discipline, Hunter Seat Equitation demands conscientious training and unwavering attention to detail. Riders practice correct form both on the flat and over fences, with the goal of having a picture-perfect clear round that looks effortless. Learning to maintain this balanced position in Hunter Seat Equitation helps to develop the speed and accuracy needed to succeed in Show Jumping. Based on the traditional hunter riding style, Hunter Seat Equitation has been incorporated into the Pony Club program as an educational track offering certification from the D-2 level through the C-2 level. After achieving their C-2, members move on to the Show Jumping certification. Equitation is also a component of Pony Club’s Show Jumping rallies. Riders are scored on how well they maintain a basic, balanced position throughout the entire course.

POLO

Polo is a fast-paced team sport on horseback where each team works to send the game ball through a goal while moving the ball along the ground using a mallet. Polo teaches skills such as hand-eye coordination and communication, as teammates work together to move the ball down the field and navigate through the opposing team’s players. Dedicated members of both the United States Pony Clubs, Inc., and the United States Polo Association worked together to make Polo an official Pony Club discipline in 2011. Although Polo is not offered at Championships, Pony Club members can play Polo through local or regional rallies, events or clinics. The sport of Polo also offers the opportunity to play at the high school and college level through the United States Polo Association’s Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Program.

VAULTING

Vaulting is essentially gymnastics on a moving horse. Competitive vaulters are judged on a series of compulsory exercises as well as their freestyle routine. Both are performed to music to show how athletics and grace combine to create the sport of vaulting. Vaulting as an activity gives riders the opportunity to improve their confidence, suppleness, balance and rhythm. Pony Club has had a close affiliation with vaulting since the sport first came to America. Elizabeth Searle brought vaulting to the United States in 1956, after being introduced to the sport during a visit to Germany. She added it to her riding school’s Pony Club program for children who did not have their own horses. Searle went on to be a founder of the American Vaulting Association in 1966. The sport continued to grow throughout the 1970s, and USPC officially listed vaulting as an activity in 1975. Since that time, Pony Club and the American Vaulting Association (AVA) have worked together to educate members on the sport of Vaulting.