Below are offerings available to Pony Club members participating in any discipline. In addition, many discipline have specific opportunities and/or awards available to members. Learn more by clicking on the discipline icon.
Grants
The Eleanor Brennan Memorial Fund: The Eleanor Brennan Memorial Fund was established to aid USPC in funding Instructors' Certification Programs for Pony Club Instructors and upper-level members. USPC will award scholarships up to $500 to applicants who qualify for this scholarship. Fill out the application with required recommendations to be considered for this scholarship.
Eleanor Brennan Memorial Fund Application
The Trip Harting Fund: The Trip Harting Fund has been created with donations to The Dressage Foundation from Trip's friends and supporters. This fund will provide grants up to $1,000 for a current or graduate rider with a Pony Club certification of B or A to assist in attending the USDF "L” Education Program or USDF Instructor Certification Program.
Get more information.
Activities & Contests
Brookfield Conservation Award: The Brookfield Conservation Award is named in honor of the historic Brookfield Farm near Lexington, KY. The original parcels of Brookfield were received from the British monarchy in the late 1700s. In 2000 Brookfield was placed in the Bluegrass Conservancy by its owners, Betsy and Jack van Nagell. The Brookfield Conservation Award rewards efforts for the promotion of land conservation through member, club, center, or regional dedication and hard work. Applicants may be a club, center, region, or individual. Up to two $500 awards may be given yearly. The deadline for submissions is November 1st.
Read the full award guidelines and criteria.
2023 Award Winner (Woodbrook Hunt)
2023 Award Winner (Misty Morning Farm)
USPC Flash Teamwork Award: Cathy Aranosian (owner of Flash, the USPC 50th Anniversary Breyer Model) sponsors a yearly contest, to encourage the kind of teamwork generated by her club when they were writing about Flash.
A 1-1/2 page essay may be submitted by a Pony Club or Riding Center telling how a special equine, a special event, or a special member or volunteer had a team-building experience on Pony Club members.
Entries must be postmarked by November 4. Please email (marketing@ponyclub.org) or mail essays, along with any photos of the event, the pony, or the special honoree, to: Editor, Discover USPC magazine, 4041 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511.
Entries will be reviewed and the winner selected by December 1. The winner is honored by inclusion in a perpetual trophy kept in the Pony Club National Office.
Research Project Fair: Have you ever looked at your horse and said "I wonder why…?” Is there something you always wanted to learn about your horse? Now you have an excuse to spend time with your best four-legged friend, satisfy your curiosity, and educate your fellow Pony Club members. Participate in the Pony Club Research Fair Competition held the beginning of every year during the USPC Convention.
Details for the upcoming Research Project Fair can be found HERE.
Open to All Disciplines
Margo Leithead Cornerstone Award for Excellence in Horse Management
This award, named in honor of Pony Club's 19th President, Margo Leithead, recognizes the teams demonstrating excellence in Horse Management during competition in all disciplines during USPC Championships event(s). This award was first presented in 2014 during the Championships portion of Festival.
Breed Recognition Awards
American Connemara Pony Society Award
Awarded to the highest placed registered Connemara Purebred or Half-bred in the disciplines Dressage, Eventing and Show Jumping. To be eligible, a copy of the
pony’s registration must be submitted to the appropriate Discipline Secretary prior to the competition.
American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association/USPC Awards Program
The American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA) is pleased to sponsor the ASHBA/USPC Awards Program for Pony Club members who participate in Pony Club activities on their registered American Saddlebred or Half-Saddlebred Horse. The ASHBA/USPC Awards focus on activities and competitions in which Pony Club members participate with their horse as well as emphasizing Horse Management and leadership skills. Pony Club members can earn points by riding in lessons, clinics and preps or by competing in regional and/or national rallies or achieving a regional or national rating level. To be eligible for the ASHBA/USPC Awards Program the rider must be a current Pony Club member and the horse must be registered with the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association.
Access more information and the application.
Arabian Horse Association USPC Championships Award
Awarded to the highest placed registered Arabian of Half/Anglo-Arabian in each discipline. To be eligible, please complete this form and email to the Arabian Horse Association by the Championships closing date. High Point recipients will receive a certificate and custom AHYA award. For more information, please contact youth@arabianhorses.org.
Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America Pony Club Recognition Program
The Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America is pleased to announce a recognition program for Canadian and United States Pony Clubs members who participate in Pony Club on a pure or part-bred Cleveland Bay. The Cleveland Bay, an endangered breed, has long been recognized as having the heart, stamina, and movement to make a winning sport horse.
For more information, to obtain an application, or for help getting your Cleveland Bay registered visit the website or contact Gabrielle Gordon, 76 Corral Drive North, Keller, Texas 76244 or 817-431-8775.
Cleveland Bay USPC Championships Award
The Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America is pleased to announce an additional opportunity for Pony Club Cleveland Bay Horse owners to be recognized. For all locations of Pony Club Championships, the Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America will give the Cleveland Bay USPC Championships Award to the highest placed registered pure or part-bred Cleveland Bay in all mounted disciplines. To be eligible, competitors must complete the application by July 1st of the competition year. For more information visit the website or email info@clevelandbay.org.
Draft Cross Breeders and Owners Association Rising Star Award
The Draft Cross Breeders and Owners Association sponsors the Rising Star Award for the top scoring DCBOA rider (riding a DCBOA registered horse) at the Pony Club National Championships in various disciplines. Horses and Riders must both be registered with the DCBOA. Registration and application must be postmarked by July 1.
Dressage: Awarded in each level
Eventing: Awarded in each level
Polocrosse: Awarded in each level
Show Jumping: Awarded in each level
Tetrathlon: Awarded in each level
Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) Awards
TIP awards will be available to USPC Championship participants in every division of Dressage, Eventing, Polocrosse, Show Jumping, and Tetrathlon. Only Thoroughbreds that have been registered with The Jockey Club or a foreign Thoroughbred stud book recognized by The Jockey Club are eligible to participate in TIP classes and awards. Riders and owners must apply for a TIP number. There is no fee to register for a TIP number. It is the responsibility of the rider/owner to provide the horse show with the eligibility information.
Access more information.