Getting Started in Pony Club
Our Long Run Pony Club is volunteer run, and not based at a riding school. Our members all have access to their own, leased or borrowed horse or pony. We have a deep list of equestrian professionals teaching our members at our mounted and unmounted meetings. If you or your child have not yet started learning to ride, go to the Contact Us page for a current list of those instructors that are part of an existing lesson program.
When an individual joins Pony Club, they are a member of the National Organization, USPC, a region (a geographic collection of clubs and centers), and a local club or center. Membership runs yearly January 1 through December 31. Our region is the Midsouth. It hosts many regional competitions and educational events each year. There are national, regional and local dues, but participation at the competitions and educational events are at the individual member’s expense.
Before you enter the barn gate!
Being safe is any parent’s and rider’s first priority. Equestrian safety is critical. Many riding schools provide a library of boots and helmets to new students, initially. The cost of lessons may be a big commitment, but so too are the helmets keeping noggins and boots keeping feet safer. Like any traditional ball sports, swimming and track and field, riding requires safety equipment and a place to do it. Unlike the other athletic opportunities, riding involves a live animal that whether you attend the lesson or not, needs to eat and be cared for. When you start out, many lesson programs start with safety in the barn and around horses. Throughout the Pony Club approach, the care for horses and ponies is as essential as time in the saddle.
Rider basic clothing and safety
The Hitching Post Tack Shop is a staunch supporter of United States Pony Club and its local clubs, including our own, Long Run Pony Club. Lesson programs will have their own list of recommended clothing and safety equipment, so check with your riding school before making a purchase. While Long Run Pony Club is not sponsored nor does not individually assess the following items, they are commonly used by riders. Everyone has their favorites. We do follow the recommendation of safety experts that you try on your helmet and boots prior to purchasing. Even with the best quality control, the same make, model and size will vary. A size small round helmet will fit when you try it, but buying it sight unseen, it may vary and create pressure points.
Helmet:
All members must wear a helmet when riding or working around a horse or pony. Helmets must meet national or international standards. In the United States, the helmet must be ASTM F1163, AS/NZ 3838 or PAS 015 approved. For full details, see Policy 0810 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR HELMETS.
Footwear:
Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times when riding or working around horses. (Refer to the Horse Management Handbook)
Unmounted Footwear should be thick-soled shoes or boots (short or tall) of sturdy construction in good condition. These boots should cover the ankle, be entirely closed, securely fastened and well-fitted to the foot. Examples: paddock/jodhpur boots, rubber riding boots, rain boots/wellies, western boots.
When mounted a conventional type of riding footwear with a heel is required, such as riding boots, paddock/jodhpur boots, or the equivalent.
Medical Armband/Bracelet – During any Pony Club activity, members must wear a either a Medical Armband or Bracelet.
A Medical Armband must include a current completed copy of the individual's USPC Medical Card. It must be worn on the upper arm. If the member has small arms, he/she may safety pin the armband to his/her upper sleeve. Armbands are available for purchase from Shop Pony Club Be sure to update and/or replace the Medical Card insert as needed.
Medical Bracelets must visibly list these five items on them: (a) Name and Date of Birth, (b) Emergency Contact Information, (c) Known Allergies, (d) Current Medications, and (e) Existing Medical Conditions. More information is acceptable, but these five items are required to be on the bracelet.
Pony Club Pin – Each member receives a pin when they join USPC in their New Member Packet. Members are expected to wear they Pony Club pin at Pony Club activities and encouraged to show their Pony Club pride by wearing them at outside equestrian events. Upon joining, the USPC sends new members a mailing and their own USPC Club pin. Additional or replacement pins can be purchased at Shop Pony Club.
Protective Riding Vests & Proper Fit
In accordance with USPC Policy 0830, Pony Club requires a body protector whenever a member is jumping cross-country/solid obstacles in Pony Club activities. Learn more about Safety Vest Fit
Pony Club Materials
National dues do not cover the USPC materials. Our local club materials are covered by your local dues. From the Shop Pony Club, you can find all sorts of equine educational books.
Horse Management Handbook and Rules for Rallies – This handbook holds the rules for Horse Management at Pony Club competition and all Pony Club activities, including regular club and center meetings. In addition to the regulations for Rally, it also contains many of the charts, checklists, and other documents members will need for competition. Visit the Rulebook page to download the Handbook or purchase it through Shop Pony Club.
Pony Club Manuals – USPC offers three Manual of Horsemanship editions, Basics for Beginners (D-1-D-3), Intermediate Horsemanship (C-1-C-2), and Advanced Horsemanship based on the Standards of Proficiency that members will be moving through. Your club or center may have a copy of the manuals that can be checked out of the club or center library, but these books are a major resource for members as their riding and horse management skills grow. The manuals may be purchased from Shop Pony Club.
Flash/Study Cards – Available for the D Level, C Level and the H-B Level, these decks of Flash Cards are a great way for members to prep for upcoming certifications. Available through Shop Pony Club.
New Member Starter Kit – This is a great resource for any new member. Consider this an option to get off to a great start in Pony Club. This kit includes: the USPC Manual of Horsemanship: Basics for Beginners "D" Standard, An Introduction to Horse Sports, a copy of the D Level Standards of Proficiency, the Horse Management Rulebook, a Safety Information Packet, a member pin, a window decal and a medical armband. Available through Shop Pony Club.
Online Member Resources
USPC Online Educational Resources – Members of Pony Club have access to online learning materials and opportunities that will increase their knowledge and help prepare them for their next level of achievement in Pony Club. Members must be signed-in in order to access these pages.
These pages are accessed either from the members profile page in the "My Stuff" section or under the “Members” tab of the menu bar, then go to “Certifications”, then choose “Local Level” for members who are working on their D-1 through C-2 levels, or “National Level” for members working on their H-B to A levels.
LRPC Online Google Classroom – not everyone learns the same way at the same pace. We put our unmounted and where available, mounted materials online in the Google Classroom format that many of our junior members already use in their school. It’s fairly intuitive, and a fellow member or volunteer can help you along your online learning journey.