Questions & Answers

If you have a question, email it to Kim or Nina and the answer will be posted on the website.

Q. How often does Bayou City Pony Club meet?
A. We have a mounted and an unmounted meeting once per month, usually on the 3rd Sunday afternoon of the month. We have additional meetings throughout the year for special unmounted events (such as to meet and hear and equine expert, or simply get together and have fun), Rally preparation, Rating preparation, and Ratings.

Q. Is Pony Club competitive?

A. Pony Club encourages self-improvement and individual and collective growth over competition. 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. Absolutely not! While many Pony Clubbers do enjoy showing, this activity is entirely separate from Pony Club.

Q. How do Pony Club Ratings work?

A. Pony Clubbers begin unrated. As they improve in their riding and knowledge, they may wish to attain the goal of achieving a Pony Club rating. The ratings advance from D1 through D3, then C1 through C3. C2 is the highest Regional rating and an admirable goal for any Pony Clubber. The higher ratings of C3, B, A, and HA are national ratings and more rarely achieved.
Each rating 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 rated?

A. Be sure you are prepared! Attend unmounted meetings, and, for higher ratings, consider attending a Pony Club camp. Notify your DC that you want to rate, so your readiness for rating can be evaluated, and the rating arranged. The following link (Study Guides & Forms) has rating standards for each of the ratings that will give you an idea of what is required at each level. It also contains study guides for each of the ratings. The study guide for the rating you want to do must be completed and turned in to the DC before your rating can be scheduled.

Q. How much are the dues?

A. Annual dues to U.S. Pony Club are $75, with first-time members
paying an additional $10 one-time fee. Members must also pay dues to the 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. Does Pony Club replace riding lessons?

A. Pony Club does not supplant riding instruction but rather augments
it. Pony Clubbers are encouraged to undertake riding training outside of Pony Club
activities.

Q. What are rallies?

A. In these events, local 3- or 4-member Club teams compete against teams
from other Clubs in various disciplines such as dressage, stadium jumping, games,
knowledge (unmounted), tetrathlon and others. 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), and Turnback: the presentation of cleaned
tack following a ride. All local Clubs and their 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 ratings 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 ratings and for rallies! As they go up in the ratings, 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?
A. No. Many Pony Club horses are "back yard" horses with little 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 the Eventing disciplines,
Pony Clubbers will receive instruction in dressage in some meetings, and may wish
to pursue this in their individual training. Dressage is also the focus of a Pony
Club Rally each year.

		Questions & Answers
Home About Pony Club News Calendar Pictures Meeting Locations Club Policies Contacts Links Library Trading Post Questions & Answers New Members Rating Information Safety Information Study Guides & Forms
	If you have a question, email it to Kim or Nina and the answer will be posted on the website. Q. How often does Bayou City Pony Club meet? A. We have a mounted and an unmounted meeting once per month, usually on the 3rd Sunday afternoon of the month. We have additional meetings throughout the year for special unmounted events (such as to meet and hear and equine expert, or simply get together and have fun), Rally preparation, Rating preparation, and Ratings. Q. Is Pony Club competitive? A. Pony Club encourages self-improvement and individual and collective growth over competition. 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. Absolutely not! While many Pony Clubbers do enjoy showing, this activity is entirely separate from Pony Club. Q. How do Pony Club Ratings work? A. Pony Clubbers begin unrated. As they improve in their riding and knowledge, they may wish to attain the goal of achieving a Pony Club rating. The ratings advance from D1 through D3, then C1 through C3. C2 is the highest Regional rating and an admirable goal for any Pony Clubber. The higher ratings of C3, B, A, and HA are national ratings and more rarely achieved. Each rating 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 rated? A. Be sure you are prepared! Attend unmounted meetings, and, for higher ratings, consider attending a Pony Club camp. Notify your DC that you want to rate, so your readiness for rating can be evaluated, and the rating arranged. The following link (Study Guides & Forms) has rating standards for each of the ratings that will give you an idea of what is required at each level. It also contains study guides for each of the ratings. The study guide for the rating you want to do must be completed and turned in to the DC before your rating can be scheduled. Q. How much are the dues? A. Annual dues to U.S. Pony Club are $75, with first-time members paying an additional $10 one-time fee. Members must also pay dues to the 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. Does Pony Club replace riding lessons? A. Pony Club does not supplant riding instruction but rather augments it. Pony Clubbers are encouraged to undertake riding training outside of Pony Club activities. Q. What are rallies? A. In these events, local 3- or 4-member Club teams compete against teams from other Clubs in various disciplines such as dressage, stadium jumping, games, knowledge (unmounted), tetrathlon and others. 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), and Turnback: the presentation of cleaned tack following a ride. All local Clubs and their 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 ratings 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 ratings and for rallies! As they go up in the ratings, 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? A. No. Many Pony Club horses are "back yard" horses with little 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 the Eventing disciplines, Pony Clubbers will receive instruction in dressage in some meetings, and may wish to pursue this in their individual training. Dressage is also the focus of a Pony Club Rally each year.