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OBJECTIVE

• The test is designed to encourage children who have chosen PCP as their main sport to further their knowledge of horsemanship and care of the polo pony.

RIDING

• Tack up and turn out - to understand the use of bits, martingales and breast plates.
• Mount and Dismount
• To be able to alter stirrups when mounted - using one hand with feet in stirrups.
• To hold the reins correctly (including single and double reins held correctly for polo)
• Tighten & Loosen Girth when mounted
• Use of seat, legs and hands as an aid to increase/decrease pace
• Position at walk, trot and canter (lightness of seat and ability to take half seat in canter)
• Turns, circles and figures of eight in all paces (to understand flying changes and to be able to work towards them)
• Aids for canter and the ability to recognise the correct leg
• Work independently in an open area
• Work over heavy poles at trot and canter as an exercise to develop rhythm and balance of the pony and rider

RIDING & ROAD SAFETY

• Knowledge of the Road Rider Test Level.

HORSEMASTERSHIP

• Care and work of a pony stabled and at grass
• Elementary feeding and watering (use of common feeding additive e.g. electrolytes)
• Fittening a pony for competition
• Basic use of the grooming kit and brush recognition
• How to ‘put up' a tail and hogg a mane
• Washing down and cooling a fit pony
• Care of the foot and the need for shoeing (including knowledge of correct studs for polo and how to fit them)
• Tack care and cleaning
• Basic knowledge of tack fitting and bits (to be able to recognise common bits used in polo and understand the action they have on the ponies' mouth)
• Recognition of lameness (including trotting up and turning in hand)
• Recognition and treatment basic wounds (including when to call a vet and how to treat common injuries seen in a polo pony)
• Knowledge and application of leg protection for travel and play (including fitting of boots and bandages)
• Knowledge of rug fitting and type

READ

• The Manual of Horsemanship
  • Points of the Horse.
  • Mount and dismount (Omit ‘to dismount using the stirrup).
  • The correct length of stirrup.
  • The position of the rider in the saddle.
  • Holding single reins.
  • Handling a horse.
  • Fitting a headcollar or halter.
  • To lead in hand.
  • The parts of a saddle,
  • The parts of a snaffle bridle.
  • Putting on a saddle and bridle
• Junior Road Rider
• Riding & Roadcraft
• Keeping a Pony at Grass

VIEW

• DVDs
  • Road Rider
  • Handling and Leading
  • Health and Condition

• Mini Achievement Badges
• Achievement Badges
• Progressive Tests
• E Standard
• D Standard
• D+ Standard
• C Standard
• C+ Standard
• Road Rider Test
• B Standard - Horse and Pony Care
• B Standard - Riding
• B Test Exemption
• Coaching Certificate
• Lungeing Test
• AH Test
• A Test Riding
• The Pony Club Hunting Certificate
• Polo Test (Lower)