San Jacinto Pony Club Mission

San Jacinto Pony Club
Additional Things to Know

SJPC Home

Mission Statement

Club Information

Club Calendar

Important Links

All about the Pony Club approach... There are many things to learn and this should help you get started.

The Horse at Pony Club Activities

Your horses general condition should show that he has been given good regular care and attention. A good way to reach this goal is to follow the method of the USPC Manual of Horsemanship by Susan E. Harris. All grooming equipment must be kept clean. Ideally, you should have a separate set of grooming tools for each horse in your barn. A yearly negative Coggins test certificate is required and will be kept on file with the mounted meeting coordinator or DC as well as in the vehicle that tows your horse as required by State Law. Other inoculations you may need for the general health of your horse are Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, Influenza, Tetanus, and Rhino but you should consult your veterinarian to find out what is best for your situation. Have regular check-ups by your veterinarian including dentistry.

Be an informed Pony Clubber and be responsive to the condition of your horse by reading current material in magazines. Build a private library and properly maintain the horses Health and Maintenance Record. All San Jacinto Pony Clubbers are responsible to keep a current Health and Maintenance Record that is appropriate for their rating.

Borrowing Horses or Equipment

Ponies, horses, tack and other equipment are sometimes loaned or borrowed. We must point out to you that this should be an agreement strictly between the loaner and the borrower, and the parents should be informed and give their consent, especially when the youngsters are using an unfamiliar mount. The Pony Club takes no responsibility for such loans and our insurance is a MEMBER ONLY coverage. Fees for such loans, leases, or kindnesses are strictly between the loaner and the borrower. If you do borrow, it is your responsibility to make sure that your equipment is within Pony Club guidelines.

Maintaining Tack

Your tack should be clean, neat and in good repair. The stitching should be checked periodically to make sure that it is in good condition, especially the stirrup leathers and girth. Make sure your tack fits properly. If you have a question, check you manual or ask an older pony clubber, instructor, or DC to help. If a saddle pad is used it should be clean and fit properly. Stirrup irons should be one inch larger than the ball of your foot. Bits should be sparkling clean and fit your horse properly. Check your pony club manual to determine what type of bit may be used for your riding level and type or activity. Riding instructors should be able to give you suggestions on what type of bit may work best for your mount. All full check snaffle bits should have leather keepers on to place the bit in the correct position.

All leather should be of good quality, kept supple, and clean. A basic bridle consists of a headband, cheek pieces, head piece, throat latch, noseband (cavesson, flash, figure eight) -correctly fitted, keepers, runners, bit and reins. Stud attachments should be turned to the inside and buckles turned to the outside. Stirrup leathers should be alternated and kept even. Every time you mount, you stretch the leather on the near side and make it longer than the offside leather.

Inspections/Safety Checks

There will be tack and turn out inspections at mounted meetings. This means that you must present a neat, clean, and workmanlike appearance. Your tack must be clean and fitted properly, your clothes neat, and your horse well groomed. You should practice good habits daily and not just for rallies or ratings! Remember that when receiving comments during tack and turnout inspection, the information is constructive criticism. It is designed as a check for safety and cleanliness, and to point out places that need attention so that you can improve for the next time. The Pony Club aim is to develop the competent horseperson and inspection is designed to help you reach that goal. If there is something unique about your pony or you are using a different or unconventional piece of tack, explain it politely to the instructor. They want to know that you understand why it is being used. If you have any doubt about something, look it up in your manual or ask the instructor or DC.

Personal Preparation

For mounted meetings you should be ready to present yourself and your horse for safety check prior to the meeting start time. That means having the horse tacked up, polished up, helmet on, and ready for inspection. For unmounted meetings, be ready to start with your manual, notebook, and pen in hand. This is very important! Everyone's time is valuable, and it is important to respect that for fellow clubbers, parents, volunteers and instructors.

Attendance

Regular attendance at meetings is considered essential to active pony club participation. Attendance at no less than 50% of mounted AND unmounted meetings is required to be eligible for ratings, testing, and selection for teams to represent the club at Regional activities. Educational activities, illness, attendance at special programs, attendance at other (regional or national) pony club events, and enrollment in college are excused absences. If you cannot attend a meeting, you must call (or e-mail) the organizer beforehand and explain why you are not attending.

Attire

Attire for rider at mounted meetings is noted in the following list. This attire is for safety and comfort of the participant in strenuous and often dangerous sport of horseback riding. Neat and tidy appearance is also considered respectful to the instructor. Jackets are generally not necessary at mounted meetings. The rider should always give the appearance of being neat and clean, mounted or otherwise. Polished boots add the finishing touch to an otherwise neat appearance. Gloves are optional but encouraged both for comfort and completing the total picture.

Pony Club Pins and Other Jewelry

Pony Club pins with appropriate felt colors should be worn at all pony club events. Pony Club pins may be acquired at the Pony Club Bookstore, accessible on line at the Pony Club Bookstore. A plain gold stock tie pin should be worn when wearing a chocker or stock tie. Other jewelry is not allowed, with the exception of: watches, small stud earrings, and wedding rings.

Shirts

Shirts should not be loose fitting and shirt tails should always be tucked in. Sleeveless shirts and generally not acceptable and "polo" type shirts are preferred.

Pants

English type riding pants are required: breeches, jodhpurs, or riding tights. Belts are required when wearing pants with belt loops. Garters and jodhpur elastics or half chaps should be worn with jodhpurs.

Mounted Headgear

A properly fitting, ASTM/SEI- approved hard hat must be worn and fastened whenever you are mounted. This is a 1989 ruling by USPC, and no member will be allowed to participate in a mounted meeting without one.

Hair

Hair should be kept neat and out of the face. Long hair must be secured in a band or fastener. Hair should not be piled on top of the head, under the helmet.

Footwear

When riding, a typical type of riding footwear with a 1/2 inch heel, such as rubber or leather riding boots, Jodhpur boots, or the equivalent is required. Waffle type soles are not allowed. When dismounted, acceptable footwear is a shoe that is securely fastened, entirely closed (no sandals) cover the ankle and is thick-soled and in good condition. Totally canvas or cloth shoes of any kind are not allowed.

Spurs

If spurs are necessary for the mount to respond, they should be fitted and worn properly. Spur straps should rest on the seam of the boot above the heel with the longer strap to the outside and facing toward the back. Rowel spurs are never to be used.

Drinks and Snacks

Remember to pack water bottles when you are attending mounted and unmounted activities. Food and drinks may sometimes be supplied but don't always count on it.

SJPC Home