Training

The Pony Club Training structure encourages members to take tests which enable them to learn progressively about horse and pony welfare, care, training, and riding. Our badges and tests may be taken at recommended ages from 4 through to 25. This structured system ensures a solid foundation and a good depth of knowledge and skills.

Competition / Sports Badges

These square badges (gradually being changed to round badges) cover the various types of competition undertaken at Pony Club and provide guidelines for competing successfully. There are two levels offered. The Introductory badges, with a pale blue edge on the old badges and a purple edge on the new badges, will help you to understand the basics of a particular competition discipline. This badge assumes you are just starting out in the discipline, and helps you to prepare to start competing. The Competition badges, with a yellow edge on the old badges and a dark blue edge on the new badges, assume that you have some experience in the discipline, and are either about to start or have already started, competing in that discipline. The badge will help you understand the rules of the discipline, and give you some guidelines about what is expected from you as rider, and your horse; in order to be successful in competition.

The disciplines, in which these competition badges are available, are:

Dressage	Intro to Dressage

It is a good idea for you to complete the Dressage Arenas Achievement badge as your first step in this discipline.

Eventing	Intro to Eventing

Mounted Games	Intro to Mounted Games

Show Jumping	Intro to Show Jumping

It is a good idea for you to complete the Building Show Jumps Achievement badge as your first step in this discipline.

Tetrathlon	Intro to Tetrathlon

Progressive Tests

Efficiency Tests

Efficiency Test Preparation and Compulsory Badges and Certificates

Test	Minimum Age	Felt Colour	Objectives of Test
E test	4+ years	Pale yellow	To enjoy learning about ponies. To be safe near ponies. To understand what a pony needs to be happy. To be confident both on and around ponies. To know the basic points of the pony.
The Progressive Bronze tests (level 3, then 2, then 1) may be taken at this time.

D Test	8 years	Yellow	To achieve confidence in handling a pony. To achieve confidence in riding a pony. To enjoy learning about ponies. To have a basic understanding of pony behaviour. To know that is is important that ponies are healthy and enjoy life. To have an awareness of how ponies learn.
The Road Rider Mini Badge must be done at this time, in order to be awarded the D test. The Mini Learning Theory badge should also be studied at this time The Progressive Silver tests (level 3, then 2, then 1) may be taken at this time.

D+ Test	10 years	White	To understand the importance of putting pony welfare first. To understand the Five Freedoms of pony welfare. To have an understanding of pony behaviour. To have a basic knowledge of the care and working of a pony at grass. To begin to understand how a pony learns. To be working towards developing a balanced seat independent of the reins. .
It is recommended that the Learning Theory Achievement Badge be studied at this time. The Progressive Gold tests (level 3, then 2, then 1) may be taken at this time.

C Test	11 years	Green	To understand that equine welfare is important. To have some knowledge of the Five Freedoms (Domains) and why they are essential for pony welfare. To have an awareness of ponies instincts and how they affect their behaviour. To understand how a pony learns. To have a knowledge of the care and working of a pony off grass. To be working towards a secure correct balanced seat, independent of the reins, and to understand why this is important. To apply simple aids correctly. To be in control of the pony on the roads and in the countryside. To understand why there are rules for riding in the countryside.
The Road Rider Achievement Badge is a pre-requisite for the C Test. It is recommended that the Yard Safety and Countryside Access Achievement Badges be studied at this time. The Progressive Platinum tests (level 3, then 2, then 1) may be taken at this time.

C+ Test (and C+ Horse Care Test)	13 years	Pink	Riding Section To understand the importance of putting equine welfare first. To show some understanding of learning theory and equine behaviour. To become an enthusiastic, educated and practical rider. To be capable of riding a well-mannered pony or horse in a variety of Pony Club activities. To ride intelligently and with due regard for others on the roads and in the countryside, showing understanding of going, pace, distance, and your pony or horses level of fitness. Horse and Pony Care Section – Note that this section may be done on its own, without Riding, to be awarded the C+ Horse Care Test. To understand the importance of putting equine welfare first at all times. To understand how the Five Domains (Freedoms) affect the care of ponies and horses. To know how the behaviour of a pony or horse is affected by its environment. To understand how horses and ponies learn from previous experience. To show practical experience, or understanding and knowledge, of the care and work of a stabled horse or pony. To show practical experience and/or understanding and knowledge of the care and work of a pony or horse at grass.
The Road Rider Certificate must already have been done, before proceeding with this C+ test. The Spurs Test must already have been done, before proceeding with this C+ test. It is recommended that the Advanced Level Achievement badges in Social Licence, Learning Theory, Equine First Aid, and Building Show Jumps is studied at this time. Riders may be required to ride other candidates ponies/horses for some flat work in the Riding Section.

B Horse Care Test	15 years	Brown	To understand the role of safeguarding horses welfare in keeping equestrians social licence to operate. To understand your responsibility with regard to the Five Domains of horse welfare. To derive satisfaction from providing suitable care for stabled horses. To understand how horses learn and use this knowledge in the field, yard, and stable. To demonstrate practical experience and/or understanding and knowledge of the care and work of a stabled or grass-kept horse. To be capable of looking after a horse before, during, and after a strenuous days activity or competition.

B Riding Test	15 years	Beige. Red only when Horse Care AND Riding have been passed	To appreciate the fun and satisfaction in developing a horses training. To understand how individual horses behaviour may require adaptations in their training. To understand how horses learn and how to use this knowledge when riding. To become an educated, effective, and practical rider who knows the reasons for what he or she is doing. To be capable of riding a well-mannered horse in a variety of Pony Club activities. To ride intelligently and with due regard for others who may be riding young, green, or untrained horses. To know and understand the basic responses for all horses to be ridden safely and successfully. To know and understand the first three points in the Scale of Training, providing a staircase of training suitable for all horses. To be able to maintain a horses way of going. To ride over a variety of fences at all paces (approx. height, 85cm). To understand your responsibilities towards equestrianisms social licence to operate.
Note that ALL content covered in lower tests may be reassessed in this test. All members must have done and passed the Spurs Test, even if they obtained their C+ test before the Spurs Test was introduced. Riders will be required to ride and assess other candidates horses for flatwork. Riders will be expected to show consideration for safety when riding alone and in groups throughout the test. The FULL C+ Test must be held before a candidate can take the B Test Riding. The Spurs test must also have been done. (Note that only once the B Horse Care AND B Riding sections are passed, is the RED felt awarded).

B+ Test	16 years	Pale Purple	To understand the importance of prioritizing equine welfare when ridden. To understand horses behaviour when ridden alone and in company. To show a balanced, secure, and harmonious position on the flat and over show jumps and cross-country fences (maximum fence height, 90cm). To ride intelligently, showing an understanding of the effects of going, pace, distance, and your horses level of fitness. To be able to assess a horses way of going on the flat and over show jumps and cross country fences up to 90cm in height. To know, understand, and implement the Scale of Training. To understand how to train a horse applying the concepts of learning theory. To understand how to shape a horses training progressively based on their acceptance / level of arousal. To be capable of developing a plan for horses training on the flat and over jumps.
Riders will be required to ride and assess other candidates horses for flatwork. Riders will be expected to show consideration for safety when riding alone and in groups throughout the test. The Lungeing Certificate must be done at this time, before proceeding to the AH test. Obtain the current Lunge test syllabus HERE

A Horse Care Test	17 years	Orange Honours: Salmon Pink	Show a wide experience of caring for and handling different types of horses and ponies. Have the experience and knowledge to be able to look after two fit competition horses, a fit competition pony, a recuperating horse, an elderly retired horse and a mare and foal turned out. Support practical work shown with logical theory relevant to the individual horses. Carry out practical work swiftly and safely showing familiarity with the tasks. Be able to lunge fresh and fit horses as a form of exercise. Understand how the systems of the horse affect daily care in fit and resting horses. Recognize the symptoms of ailments and the problems that may arise from these, and be able to undertake suitable action. Understand the implications when breeding from a mare. Be aware of modern practices; all theory must be grounded, and candidates must be able to apply their knowledge to the horses supplied during the exam. Have an understanding of current legislation in place when working with horses. The assessor will expect the candidate to show normal daily competence in their answers, but also the ability to observe any unusual behaviour or problem and to suggest a sensible solution.
A Riding Test	18 years	Blue	Show a secure, correct, balanced seat on the flat and over fences. Improve all horses they work, both on the flat and over fences, including young and uncooperative horses. Be able to support the practical work shown with logical theory relevant to the individual horse. Give the assessors confidence that a horse left with the candidate would improve in its way of going. Show a clear understanding of sympathetic modern training methods based on learning theory. Have an awareness of factors (including those relating to pain, training, and management) that may contribute to various unwanted behaviours. Be able to ride an unfamiliar horse in a variety of surroundings, being mindful for the care and welfare of all interested parties. Demonstrate and evaluate training methods that are appropriate for most situations, with a diverse range of horses, including different tack options. Welfare must be at the forefront of all approaches. Discuss the safety of helpers when starting young horses.
The A Test is the highest award of The Pony Club, and provides a comprehensive assessment of the riders horsemanship and their training of a range of horses from the ground, on the flat, and over fences. Candidates must have passed the Pony Club Tests B+, Lungeing and AH. These tests will have provided a staircase of knowledge and progression to underpin the work and riding that will be observed. This progression will have been supported by further training and practice with different coaches and with varied horses, as well as undertaking a wide range of reading, to give the breadth of knowledge required for this Test. (Note that only once the Horse Care AND Riding sections are passed, is the BLUE felt awarded).

Training

TRAINING

Recommended Reading:

Mini Badges

Achievement Badges

Advanced Badges

Competition / Sports Badges

Progressive Tests

Efficiency Tests

Efficiency Test Preparation and Compulsory Badges and Certificates

Efficiency Test Preparation

C+ and B tests

AH test (2023)

The Lunging Certificate is compulsory

Nomination Forms

Horse Care Only Route

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