United States Pony Clubs
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  Location within Kentucky  United States Pony Clubs (the United States) | |
| Formation | 1954 |
|---|---|
| Type | youth organization |
| Legal status | non-profit |
| Purpose | education in horsemanship |
| Location |
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| Coordinates | 38°08′49″N 84°30′58″W / 38.14705747190181°N 84.51599653552265°W |
| Website | ponyclub |
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc or USPC is an American association of pony clubs. It was established in 1954, and was based on the model of the Pony Club of Great Britain, established in 1929.[1]: 329 [2]: ix The national office is at the Kentucky Horse Park.[1]: 329
Despite the word "pony" in the name of the organization, there is no limit on the size of horse that may participate in events; when the club started, only riders under twenty-one were accepted.[1]: 329
History
[edit]The club is a loose confederation of regional or local pony clubs in the United States, often organized at town or county level.[1]: 329 [2]: ix It was established in 1954, and was based on the example of the Pony Club of Great Britain (founded in 1929); the two clubs were not affiliated. The USPC initially consisted of twelve clubs. By 1980 there more than three hundred member clubs, with a total membership of some 8500 young people.[2]: ix
Activities
[edit]The club operates a certification system for riders, with four levels from D up to A. Levels D and C are awarded by local clubs, levels B and A by a nationally-certified examiner; the requirements for level A are stringent, and the number of annual recipients may be only in double figures.[1]: 329
Local member clubs may organize competitions, known as "rallies". Rallies are competitions that are structured as horse shows. At rallies, teams of 3-4 from local clubs are scored based on not only their riding, but also on how they meet USPC’s safety, attire, equipment, and turnout standards. All these things contribute to each team and individual’s score. Rallies can be held for many pony club disciplines including showjumping, eventing, dressage, polocrosse, tetrathalon, polo, western dressage, mounted games, gymkhana, trail, and quiz. Quiz is a pony club discipline in which teams participate in testing of their horse management knowledge in five stages called written test, megaroom, classroom, stations, and barn. [3]
There is also the United States Pony Club National Championships each year. All Pony Club Members must qualify at a regional rally or recognized horse show of the discipline they would like to apply for at championships. Championship teams are formed with members from different clubs and centers throughout each region. Teams can also be formed from members from different regions. On even numbered years, festival championships is held at the Kentucky Horse Park. This event is open to all members who have qualified. On odd numbered years, championships is divided into USPC championships East, South, West, and North. Depending on what region you are a part you will go the championships for one of those domains. On festival years, education is held at Kentucky Horse Park where pony club members are welcome to participate in clinics under events such as endurance riding, hunt seat, and fox hunting. Education is also offered in the other disciplines referenced previously.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Gail Rentsch, Steven D. Price, Barbara Burn, David A. Spector (1998). The Whole Horse Catalog. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780684839950.
- ^ a b c James K. Lewis (1980). The Pony Club Book. New York; San Diego, California: A.S. Barnes. ISBN 0498022579.
- ^ "REINS OF LOVE | Local U.S. Pony Clubs keep the equestrian legacy alive". 14 October 2021.
- ^ "2 local girls compete at National Pony Club Championship in Kentucky". 6 August 2021.
Further reading
[edit]- Robert R. Morris (2004). The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., 1954/2004: A Story to Tell. Virginia Beach, Virginia: The Donning Company. ISBN 9781578642298