FAQs
Q. How often does Bayou City Pony Club meet?
A. We have combined mounted and unmounted meetings twice per month, usually on the 1st and 3rd Sunday afternoon of the month. We have additional meetings throughout the year for special unmounted events (such as to meet and hear an equine expert, or simply get together and have fun), Rally preparation, Certification preparation, and Certifications. We also typically hold a summer camp for members, with Certifications on the final day, and a mini/mock rally and holiday party in December (in lieu of regular meetings in December), which incorporates Rally elements in a fun and educational format that accommodates even the youngest and newest members.
Q. How much are the dues?
A. Annual dues to U.S. Pony Club are found at ponyclub.org, with first-time members paying an additional one-time fee. Annual dues are in the $150 range. Bayou City members must also pay dues to the Rio Grande Region of $15 per year. Bayou City Pony Club collects $9 per member annual local club dues, plus $1 for each voting member sponsor. Dues are per member, not per family
Q What costs are associated with Pony Club participation?
A. Bayou City Pony Club works hard to keep costs low for our participating members. Outside the dues enumerated above, expenses include purchase of riding helmet and boots, purchase of medical armband or bracelet, costs of instruction at meetings, costs of other Pony Club activities and events, costs of USPC Manual (optional, but recommended).
- Riding helmets - available for borrowing for new members until they can purchase their own. Expect $40 and up for a certified helmet.
- Boots - available for borrowing until members can purchase their own. The Club keeps outgrown boots available for donation ($20 or less). New basic synthetic paddock boots can be found in the $45 range.
- Medical armband - can be ordered online for about $6 plus shipping. Bayou City Pony Club keeps some on hand at $10/armband
- Members contribute $5 toward the cost of instruction at each mounted meeting ($15 if they RSVP and then don't show without cancelling 24 hours ahead). BCPC covers the rest of the cost of this instruction.
- Other activities and events are optional and costs vary. For example, the cost of participation in Regional Rallies varies from $75 to about $200/participant. Subsidies of up to about $75 are available for our members who wish it, actual amounts depending on circumstances.
- Most members will want to purchase a USPC Manual of Horsemanship, available for about $16 for the beginner volume on Amazon or about $20 from Pony Club. These are also available for borrowing until members can purchase their own copies.
Q. Is Pony Club competitive?
A. Pony Club encourages self-improvement and individual and collective growth. Although the Rallies have a competitive team format, cooperation and a team attitude are essential for success.
Q. Do I have to attend shows to be in Pony Club?
A. Not at all! While many Pony Clubbers do enjoy showing, and may do so as a group, this activity is entirely separate from Pony Club
Q. How do Pony Club Certifications work?
A. Pony Clubbers begin uncertified. As they improve in their riding and knowledge, they may wish to attain the goal of achieving a Pony Club certification. The certifications advance from D1 through D3, then C1 through C3. C2 is the highest Regional certification and an admirable goal for any Pony Clubber. The higher certifications of C3, B, A, and HA are national certifications and more rarely achieved. Members may choose to advance in a specific discipline. Each certification is a tremendous achievement for the child and represents a level of accomplishment not just in riding but in horse management and horsemanship. They require solid knowledge of basic and more advanced information and build on each other and must be achieved in order.
Q. What should I do to get certified?
A. Be sure you are prepared! Attend as many mounted and unmounted meetings as you can, and, for higher ratings, consider attending Regional Pony Club camp. Notify your DC that you want to certify, so your readiness for certification can be evaluated, and the certification arranged. The Standards of Proficiency for each level are available on the USPC website. A study guide for the certification you want to attempt must be completed and turned in to the DC before your certification can be scheduled
Q. Does Pony Club replace riding lessons?
A. Pony Club does not supplant riding instruction but rather augments it. Pony Clubbers are encouraged to take riding lessons outside of Pony Club activities. Members who do not already have an instructor may be able to arrange lessons with our Pony Club instructors, who often give excellent rates to our members. Contact an officer of our Club for more information.
Q. What are rallies?
A. In these Regional events, local 3- or 4-member Club teams compete against teams from other Clubs in various disciplines. In the Rio Grande Region these typically include dressage, stadium jumping, eventing, games, quiz (unmounted knowledge), and tetrathlon. Elements of these events include total independence of the teams (no parent contribution allowed), proper tack-room setup (including knowledge of all tack, equipment, and supplies and having just what is required, no more and no less), Formal inspections before riding, and Turnback: the presentation of cleaned
tack following a ride. All our members are encouraged to attend Rallies. Attending Regional Rallies is also the only way to qualify for the National Championships. These are a great experience for all who participate
Q. Do I need a lot of fancy tack and equipment for Pony Club?
A. No! For the safety and well-being of horse and rider, tack and equipment must be clean, properly-fitting, and in safe condition. Pony Club stresses safety in everything they do. Safe and well-maintained equipment and an approved, properly-fitting riding helmet are a requirement for all mounted Pony Club events.
Q. Do horses need to be pulled and braided for certification and rallies?
A. No. Pony Club does allow braiding for some Pony Club events, but it is never required. However, absolutely clean and neat is a requirement for certifications and for rallies! As they go up in the certifications, Pony Clubbers may find it is easier to achieve a very clean and neat result with a pulled mane
Q. Do riders and horses need to be trained in dressage or any other specific discipline?
A. No. Many Pony Club horses are "back yard" horses with little specific discipline training. The basic requirements for a Pony Club mount are: over 5 years old, well-behaved and obedient. Well-rounded riding and horsemanship, along with a basic balanced seat are the focus of Pony Club. Since Pony Club encompasses a variety of disciplines, Pony Club Member may receive instruction in those disciplines in some meetings, and may wish to pursue these in their individual training. The disciplines of Dressage, Stadium Jumping, Tetrathlon and Eventing are each the focus of a Pony Club Rally in our Region each year.
Q. What is needed to participate in Pony Club?
A. You will need: INFORMATION, appropriate ATTIRE, and, if riding, access to a PONY (or horse), and appropriate TACK.
Information: USPC Manual of Horsemanship for your rating level, by Susan Harris (check for newest edition). New members will want the basics for beginners through D level book. Sources include: libraries (including the Bayou City Pony Club library), used book stores, eBay, USPC, Amazon.com, and your DC, since the Club often has new and/or used copies. Also see other recommended reading on the ponyclub.org website. Some of this material, such as the rating standards and proficiencies can be read online and/or downloaded
Attire:
- A well fitting (does not slide around on the head) helmet that is ASTM/SEI approved
- Boots with a smooth sole and low heel
- A collar shirt (such as a polo shirt or a Bayou City Pony Club shirt)
- A medical armband or bracelet, which must be worn during any USPC-affiliated mounted or unmounted activity. Medical armbands can be purchased from Bayou City Pony Club (or from many online sources) -- be sure to keep the Medical Card insert up-to-date.
For some occasions (such as ratings, working with a clinician, rallies, etc) you will also need
- A belt (if your pants or breeches have belt loops)
- Garters or keepers for your jodhpurs (if you wear cuffed jodhpurs over paddock boots)
Mount & Tack:
- A mare or gelding at least 5 years old that is of a size, training level, and temperament appropriate for the rider (the rider able to be in control of the mount). Mount can be owned, leased, or borrowed. DC can provide leads and information on borrowing or leasing mounts.
- Clean, safe, and well-fitting saddle, bridle, and related fittings. For many meetings, any style (English, Western, or Australian) is acceptable. For some activities, such as polocrosse and jumping, saddles with a horn are unsafe. Tack can be owned, leased or borrowed.