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Rallies

Every effort is made by your Pony Club to provide Rallies for as wide a range of members’ age and ability as is realistically possible. There are Open Rallies for all, as well as specialist rallies concentrating on a discipline or catering for certain age groups. All are either free or subsidised by the Pony Club and voluntary fund raising. The OBHPC’s aim is that every member should find at least one or two rallies each holiday that will suit them.

DATES AND VENUES - SEE CALENDAR

However please remember:

Places are often limited. Ideally a Rally is made up of several sessions providing for groups of six. So, if you want to be sure of a place on your chosen rally, ring as soon as you get your newsletter. Don’t leave it until a week before and then complain that there are no places left.
All of your rallies are arranged and run by VOLUNTEERS without whom the Old Berks PC would grind to a halt. So, please, only call at reasonable times and don’t expect them to return calls (you may be one of ten messages). Call back if you want to ensure your place is booked.
If you find you cannot attend your rally, let your organiser know as soon as possible as there is almost always a waiting list.
Any member who fails to turn up at a rally without good reason will be charged their share of the cost and be very unpopular!

All the voluntary organisers who run your Pony Club care a lot about the Old Berks and work very hard to provide the best rallies they can. They also do this while often working and running homes, children and horses. Don’t take them for granted.

Turn Out at Rallies

Your Instructors have been asked to check, that you are correctly and safely turned out before they start any instruction. The organisers and Instructors go to a lot of trouble planning and organising your rally, it is only courteous that you also make an effort with your turn out.

HORSES / PONIES
Your mount should be turned out to the best possible standard, there is no need to plait but your pony should be well groomed and tack MUST be clean and correctly fitted including your numnah and girth. Your pony should be wearing an appropriate bit, suitable for Pony Club activities. Our instructors have been asked to check all tack before the start of their Rally and will advise you if they have any concerns. Clean correctly fitting tack is extremely important and directly affects the way your pony moves and behaves.

RIDERS
Clothing and Footwear
Riders should wear a suitable long-sleeved top with PC tie or stock, Jacket, waistcoat or sweatshirt. If you do not wish to wear the PC sweatshirt then a plain coloured sweatshirt or fleece will do. ‘Hoodies’ are not allowed because they are obviously dangerous and you will be asked to remove them before riding. You should wear jodhpurs with leather shoes or jodhpur boots, breeches with leather or rubber riding boots with smooth soles. Wellington boots, ‘Muckers’ or Trainers should not be worn. Half chaps may be worn but they should match the colour of the jodhpur boots and should not have tassels

Hats
These are strictly regulated with a series of Kite marks denoting their standard.

Every Pony Club is obliged to appoint Hat Taggers. If you have a new or untagged hat it is the parent's responsibility to have this done. We will attempt to have the requisite person/kit at as many rallies as possible but please make yourself known if you need this.

Parents are responsible for the correct fitting and condition of their child’s riding hat.

NB: YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO COMPETE AT PONY CLUB EVENTS WITHOUT A CORRECTLY TAGGED HAT.

Body Protectors
Are compulsory for all PC XC riding, and must be of a standard approved by BETA for that activity. The fitting of these is the parents' responsibility.

Medical Armbands
Medical Armbands are compulsory for all Cross Country work. These are available from the Secretary and at Cross Country Rallies.

Badges
Please wear your PC badge with your ‘test felt’ as it helps your Instructor to know at what Level you ride. It is compulsory at all inter-Pony Club activities for ‘tack and turn-out’ competitions

Spurs
Blunt Spurs may be worn only with the written permission of the DC (Members with their ‘B’ Test are exempt). Please contact your DC if you or your instructor thinks you need spurs, for written permission.

Jewellery
Jewellery may NOT be worn (including sleepers’) other than a watch, stock or tiepins which must be worn horizontally. Members should be aware that they would not be allowed to participate in any mounted activities unless their ‘sleepers’ can be removed. ‘The reason for this is that in the past sleepers have caused injuries following falls. There are vulnerable blood vessels behind the ear and in addition if the facial nerve is pierced potential paralysis of the face can occur.’ PC Guidelines.

Hair
Long hair must be either tied back neatly, plaited or in a hairnet.

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