San Jacinto Pony Club Mission

San Jacinto Pony Club
Mission Statement

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All purpose driven organizations have a Mission Statement. Ours is as follows...

The San Jacinto Pony Club is a local organization under the auspices of the United States Pony Club (USPC). We are dedicated to the instruction of young riders in a safe and enthusiastic environment toward; good citizenship, the development of horse care responsibilities, and the participation in various mounted disciplines of horsemanship.

We wish to develop equally in our members the ability to work as a team, but also to progress as an individual through the rating system of the USPC. We support both the value of teamwork and the need for individual goals to encourage the growth of self confidence, self discipline and character. Our success is measured by the development of leadership in group activity, achievement of individual potential, concern for the development of fellow members and demonstration of good sportsmanship.

We will achieve these goals as we, ...Conduct regular meetings that provide educational opportunities through the use of local, regional, and national events and resources. ...Maintain a transparent commitment to safety and the development of safety awareness in our members. ...Recognize the value of parental participation through their agreement with the USPC requirement for parental involvement and support. ...Afford parents an appropriate forum for communication of their concerns and the opportunity to become club sponsors. ...Recognize the benefits that our sponsors generate, and encouraging sponsor participation at ALL levels.

San Jacinto Pony Club supports the efforts of adult riders to continue to maintain a strong knowledge of horsemanship through the USPC Horse Masters program. San Jacinto will provide a conduit for communication in support of San Jacinto Horse Master mounted and unmounted activities. San Jacinto Pony Club welcomes the participation of Horse Masters as sponsors and participants in support of the organization.

Our instructional program is designed to help you understand:

...the USPC Rating System.

The USPC rating system measures each Pony Clubbers progress through the instructional program.

The D ratings are an introduction to the fun and challenge of riding, establishing a foundation of safe 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 reasonable secure position at the walk, trot and canter, and over a few low fences. All "D" ratings are awarded at the club level.

The C ratings, designate Pony Clubbers who are 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 C1 and C2 rating are awarded at the club level. Beginning in 2006, the C3 will be a national rating and reflects a basis of competence of riding and horse care that will make possible lifetime pleasure with horses.

The B, H-A, and A ratings are also national ratings that require a greater depth of knowledge and proficiency than the early ratings. Successful candidates are competent, all-around horsemen, and are active and 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. Many of the top competitive riders in the horse world today are graduate "A" pony clubbers: Bruce Davidson, Karen O'Conner, Cathy Connelly, Robert Dover - just to name a few.

We offer D level ratings a minimum of twice a year. C level ratings are commonly combined with other clubs to allow a greater number of participants and to provide broader view of the rating system.

The Standards of Proficiency are located on the US Pony Club website Forms page and on our website Important Links page, under the 'Standards and Ratings Documents'. The Standards of Proficiency are intended to be used in the goal setting. These standards help Pony Clubbers to understand the next level they are aspiring to achieve.

...the Importance of Goal Setting.

Along with the overall club goals, we will ask our Pony Clubbers to establish their own personal goals. These goals will be reviewed once a year for progress and realignment. Without the structure of definite goals, the student will not progress, nor will instructors be able to assist the student in progressing, in an orderly manner. Clubs are required to structure their teaching and testing programs in accordance with USPC Standards of Proficiency. We will attempt to guide our Pony Clubbers though the progressive ratings keeping their personal goals in mind.

In order to assist the progress of our members, our club also participates in several additional activities, and we organize camps, special clinics, educational field trips, and social activities as enrichment for our members. Our unmounted sessions continue to provide knowledge needed to create a well rounded horseperson. Our club communicates primarily through the use of e-mail. Newsletters are generally distributed near the beginning of the month and it is the rider's responsibility to read the newsletter and respond to the items of interest or concern. Changes to e-mail addresses will disrupt the communication of important information. Please let us know if changes to e-mail occur. The club website is a portal for those inside and outside the club to see our organization from anywhere. All efforts are made to keep the information current, but information distributed via e-mail should be considered official for planning purposes.

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