Structure
Areas
The Pony Club is split into 19 Areas plus Overseas areas. Each area has a number of Branches and Centres. Each Area has an Area Representative who will represent their Branches on The Pony Club CouncilBranches
Each Branch covers a geographical area and is organised using the purposes and the rules of The Pony Club.Every Branch is administered by a voluntary District Commissioner helped by a voluntary Branch Local Committee. Each Branch organises a full programme of working rallies and other fixtures, which may take place during school holidays. These include competitions, an annual camp, visits and social events. The overriding aim is to make membership informative and fun.
In the summer Inter-Branch Events are held which encourage teamwork and promote pride in the Branch leading to National Championships in August. These include Eventing, Mounted Games, Polocrosse, Show Jumping, Dressage, Tetrathlon and a Polo Tournament. They are all very popular.
Members are encouraged to take an interest in their work and improve their knowledge by working towards certificates awarded by The Pony Club. There are eight graded standards starting with 'D' Test and culminating with the highly regarded 'A' Test taken when a Member is around 19 or 20 years old
Members are also encouraged to broaden their knowledge by working toward gaining Achievement Badges (there are 20 covering a range of subjects).
The UK Pony Club was a founder member of the Euro Pony Club, formed in 1990 it has fifteen member nations. Its aims are to promote exchange visits between Members of the various countries thereby creating friendship and a wider understanding of the individual cultures, languages and background.
There are also affiliated Pony Clubs in 17 overseas countries with over 2200 Branches. They operate on similar lines to the UK Pony Club and have exchange visits and international competitions regularly.
Centres
Centre Membership runs alongside Branch Membership around the country.
There are currently over 500 Centres with more being enrolled across the United Kingdom. Potential Members join at their local linked Riding Centre.
The Proprietor administers the activities of each Centre.
New Pony Club Centre Membership is open to anyone under 21 years of age who does not own a pony. Members pay an annual subscription and receive instruction at a Pony Club linked Centre, this subscription constitutes Membership of the Club and includes third party insurance.
Centre Membership allows the opportunity for a Member to learn more about riding and horse and pony care. Members are encouraged to take an interest in their work and improve their knowledge by working toward gaining Achievement Badges (there are over 40, including mini badges, covering a range of subjects) and Pony Club Tests up to AH standard which would include passing the Road Rider Test.
There is a set of Progressive tests available to Centre Members in Horsemanship and Riding and Road Safety. These allow Members to take tests in modules throughout different levels. Centre Members may also compete against one another in League Series at their Centre throughout the year and have the opportunity to compete in National Pony Club Competitions such as Dressage to Music, Horse & Pony Care, The Winter Dressage and Show Jumping Leagues, the National Quiz and Centre Equitation.
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