Education is a cornerstone of Pony Club. It gives our members the knowledge and skills required to become successful equestrians in all aspects of horse care and riding. Whether you are an instructor, a member, a parent, sibling or friend, Pony Club's educational resources include some of the most sought-after knowledge in the equine industry. Members enjoy horses in a safe environment with exceptional instruction.
There is no limit to the amount of learning to be found in Pony Club. We offer organized, easy-to-understand lesson plans to help make teaching easier, as well as equine education curriculum for schools, world-class standards for certifications, instructional videos, knowledge on disciplines, and ways to make riding safe and fun.
Progression Through the Levels
The goal of Pony Club is to teach every member communication, confidence, leadership, safety, self-reliance, and good horsemanship. As members learn and develop at their own pace, they can progress through the Pony Club Standards of Proficiency (SOPs). The SOPs outline a clear progression of skills in riding and horse management. Each level requires an increasing depth of knowledge and abilities. Pony Club members demonstrate their skills and express an appropriate level of knowledge at each certification. Members are evaluated based on the SOPs for each section of understanding.
The levels of certification begin at the D level (beginner), progress to the C level (intermediate), then to the B and A levels (advanced). Achieving an A certification in Pony Club is a highly regarded accomplishment in many aspects of the equine industry.
For example, a D level (beginner) member would only need to know how to give water, hay, and grain to their mount whereas an A level (advanced) member would need to know how to identify types of grains and hay, as well as discuss their nutritional values.
The Horse Management certifications are based on a practical application of equine knowledge. Certifications are offered following a Horse Management path from the basic level all the way through advanced. Once a member has passed the certification for the D-1 level (which includes a basic riding requirement), so long as they have access to a horse for hands-on care, they can continue through the certification levels without ever riding.
If a member chooses to continue with a riding path, they may attain certifications in Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping, Hunter Seat Equitation, and Western. No matter the level of certification a riding member tests into, they will be required to meet the SOPs for both Horse Management and riding.