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Pony Club provides a structured curriculum of both mounted and unmounted skills and knowledge for our kids to follow. Ratings provide a progression for the mastery of these skills. The USPC ratings system measures each Pony Clubber's progress through the instructional program. The D ratings are an introduction to the fun and challenge of riding, establishing a foundation of safety habits and knowledge of the daily care of pony and tack. The D-1 through D-3 Pony Clubber learns to ride independently and with control, maintaining a reasonably secure position at the walk, trot and canter and over low fences. All D ratings are awarded at the club level. The C is a Pony Clubber learning to become an active horseman, to care independently for his or her pony and tack, and to understand the reasons for what he or she is doing. The C shows development toward a secure, independent seat and increasing control, and confidence in all phases of riding. The C-1 and C-2 ratings are awarded at the club level. The C-3 is a regional rating and reflects a basis of competence of riding and horse care that will make possible a lifetime of pleasure with horses. The B, H-A, and A ratings are national ratings and require great depth of knowledge. Successful candidates are competent, all around horsemen, and are active, contributing members of USPC who participate in a variety of Pony Club activities. They are also thoughtful leaders who set a good example for all levels. The standards of proficiency for all the ratings are outlined in the Pony Club manuals, as well as the national website, www.ponyclub.org. The National Pony Club has outlined Parent Responsibilities for ratings below:
To make a pony clubber's participation in pony club a positive, successful experience, the parents (or guardians) need to understand that ratings are not competitive events, but an examination of the child's knowledge and skills to determine whether the child not only has mastered the level skills but is also safe to proceed to the next level. Pushing a child beyond a safe skill level can be not only mentally destructive, but physically dangerous as well.
To prepare PC members for ratings, the parent should be committed to getting the child to all pony club meetings, mounted or unmounted, local, regional or national - on time and with the proper supplies and equipment.
To help the child at a rating the parent should have the PC member there in plenty of time, being sure that the child has the proper equipment and supplies, and checking beforehand to see that any written requirements are done on time and legible. To help the pony clubber in the future, the parent should see that the child is assuming more and more of the responsibility in preparation for the rating.
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Ratings Packets |