River Valley Pony Club FAQs
Where and when do you meet?
We meet at local barns in and around the Tryon area including FENCE and Windridge Farm. We have monthly mounted and unmounted meetings.
What do you do at a meeting?
We offer group lessons to our members divided by certification and skill level as well as age and rider development. Our unmounted meetings usually have a group horse management session. Then, we may divide into smaller groups by certification based on the USPC Standards of Proficiency.
D Level SOP (Standards of Proficiency)
C Level SOP (Standards if Proficiency)
Do I have to own a horse?
No, but you need access to a horse or pony and trailer for lessons and competitions. Some of the facilities we have mounted lessons at have limited horses for us to use for a small fee.
What sort of competitions are there?
Clubs send teams to regional "rallies" or pony club competitions throughout the year. The mounted rallies have teams of (usually) 4 riders and an unmounted horse manager. Winners of the regional rallies can go on to the national level championship. Pony Club also sends a team of qualified members to the Pony Jumper Finals in Kentucky.
How much does it cost?
You must pay National, Regional, and local dues each year to be a Pony Club member in good standing.
We are a non-profit organization and must hold fundraisers to help offset our programs. National dues are $140 and regional/club dues are $70 per year.
How much parent participation is needed?
Pony Club is an ALL volunteer organization. Many hands make light work! For younger and inexperienced members, parents (or supporters) should be present during meetings. All families are encouraged to help. Rallies require many volunteers. There are many tasks for those who are unfamiliar with horses.
Where and when do you meet?
We meet at local barns in and around the Tryon area including FENCE and Windridge Farm. We have monthly mounted and unmounted meetings.
What do you do at a meeting?
We offer group lessons to our members divided by certification and skill level as well as age and rider development. Our unmounted meetings usually have a group horse management session. Then, we may divide into smaller groups by certification based on the USPC Standards of Proficiency.
D Level SOP (Standards of Proficiency)
C Level SOP (Standards if Proficiency)
Do I have to own a horse?
No, but you need access to a horse or pony and trailer for lessons and competitions. Some of the facilities we have mounted lessons at have limited horses for us to use for a small fee.
What sort of competitions are there?
Clubs send teams to regional "rallies" or pony club competitions throughout the year. The mounted rallies have teams of (usually) 4 riders and an unmounted horse manager. Winners of the regional rallies can go on to the national level championship. Pony Club also sends a team of qualified members to the Pony Jumper Finals in Kentucky.
How much does it cost?
You must pay National, Regional, and local dues each year to be a Pony Club member in good standing.
We are a non-profit organization and must hold fundraisers to help offset our programs. National dues are $140 and regional/club dues are $70 per year.
How much parent participation is needed?
Pony Club is an ALL volunteer organization. Many hands make light work! For younger and inexperienced members, parents (or supporters) should be present during meetings. All families are encouraged to help. Rallies require many volunteers. There are many tasks for those who are unfamiliar with horses.
U.S. Pony Club (National) FAQs
How does my child join Pony Club?
Individuals join USPC by becoming a member of the local Pony Club or Riding Center. A club is a group of parents and other adult volunteers who have gotten together to administer the Pony Club program in their area. Typically, a member needs to have his or her own mount, or access to a mount in order to join a club and get the most out of the program. A center is an equestrian facility that has been recognized by USPC to administer the Pony Club program to its clients and others in the area. Typically a center is able to provide a pony or horse for their members.
How much does it cost to join Pony Club?
When an individual joins Pony Club, they are a member of the National Organization, USPC, a region (a geographic collection of clubs and centers), and a local club or center. Membership runs yearly January 1 through December 31.
National Dues: Club or Center leaders will advise current dues.
Regional Dues: Set by each region.
Local Dues: Set by each club or center.
Do I have to own a horse?
Ownership of a horse or pony is not required for membership, but arrangements for a suitable mount must be made on an individual basis. (Stallions are unsuitable mounts for Pony Club activities. Horses and Ponies must be at least five years of age for use). Please note: The first year is considered to be January 1 following the date of foaling.
What if I don't have a pony, what if I have a horse?
It doesn't matter, as long as the mount is suitable according to the Pony Club policy. The word "pony" in Pony Club comes from the British Pony Club and was originally used to refer to the size of the rider, not the size of the horse.
How often does the club/center have meetings?
This varies between each club or center. Many clubs/centers have on mounted meeting and one unmounted meeting each month. Some clubs/centers meet weekly. During unmounted meetings members learn about feeding, shoeing, veterinary care, and other areas of horse management. Under adult supervision, the more experienced Pony Club members instruct and assist the more inexperienced members.
How old does an individual have to be to join?
There is no national minimum age to join Pony Club. Some clubs, centers, and regions have set a minimum age. Members are considered youth members until December 31st of the year they turn 25. Adult members are classified as Horsemasters and are any individual aged 25 and above.
What if I don't have my own horse trailer?
Trailering requirements are determined by the local club or center.
What kind of clothes do I need to buy?
USPC is committed to safety. It is a membership requirement that Pony Club members wear a riding helmet meeting the ASTM/SEI standard when attending mounted meetings. Parents should be prepared to purchase this item and the minimum basic riding equipment such as jodphurs, paddock boots, etc. Once again, for more information please contact your local club or center.
What opportunities are available to members?
Along with learning riding and horse care skills at local meetings, there are a variety of other educational and competitive opportunities in Pony Club for its members. Check out this chart of opportunity that lists various opportunities and information on any age and/or certification level requirements for participation.
What if there's not a Pony Club in my area?
Individuals interested in starting a club or center may request a brochure and information from the National Office. Learn more about starting a club or center and request the brochure.
Do I need to/can I take riding lessons in addition to Pony Club?
Most members take riding lessons in addition to Pony Club. The Pony Club program is designed to be a supplement to any other formal individual training a member is receiving.
Do parents need to "know" horses?
No, they don't need to "know" horses, but they will be involved. Clubs are administered by the parents and other adult volunteers in the area. Parents play an important role in the club. Centers are administered by a facility, but many still rely on their parents to assist in the program. Parents should ask any club or center they are thinking of having their child join about the expectations for the parents in the club or center.
How does my child join Pony Club?
Individuals join USPC by becoming a member of the local Pony Club or Riding Center. A club is a group of parents and other adult volunteers who have gotten together to administer the Pony Club program in their area. Typically, a member needs to have his or her own mount, or access to a mount in order to join a club and get the most out of the program. A center is an equestrian facility that has been recognized by USPC to administer the Pony Club program to its clients and others in the area. Typically a center is able to provide a pony or horse for their members.
How much does it cost to join Pony Club?
When an individual joins Pony Club, they are a member of the National Organization, USPC, a region (a geographic collection of clubs and centers), and a local club or center. Membership runs yearly January 1 through December 31.
National Dues: Club or Center leaders will advise current dues.
Regional Dues: Set by each region.
Local Dues: Set by each club or center.
Do I have to own a horse?
Ownership of a horse or pony is not required for membership, but arrangements for a suitable mount must be made on an individual basis. (Stallions are unsuitable mounts for Pony Club activities. Horses and Ponies must be at least five years of age for use). Please note: The first year is considered to be January 1 following the date of foaling.
What if I don't have a pony, what if I have a horse?
It doesn't matter, as long as the mount is suitable according to the Pony Club policy. The word "pony" in Pony Club comes from the British Pony Club and was originally used to refer to the size of the rider, not the size of the horse.
How often does the club/center have meetings?
This varies between each club or center. Many clubs/centers have on mounted meeting and one unmounted meeting each month. Some clubs/centers meet weekly. During unmounted meetings members learn about feeding, shoeing, veterinary care, and other areas of horse management. Under adult supervision, the more experienced Pony Club members instruct and assist the more inexperienced members.
How old does an individual have to be to join?
There is no national minimum age to join Pony Club. Some clubs, centers, and regions have set a minimum age. Members are considered youth members until December 31st of the year they turn 25. Adult members are classified as Horsemasters and are any individual aged 25 and above.
What if I don't have my own horse trailer?
Trailering requirements are determined by the local club or center.
What kind of clothes do I need to buy?
USPC is committed to safety. It is a membership requirement that Pony Club members wear a riding helmet meeting the ASTM/SEI standard when attending mounted meetings. Parents should be prepared to purchase this item and the minimum basic riding equipment such as jodphurs, paddock boots, etc. Once again, for more information please contact your local club or center.
What opportunities are available to members?
Along with learning riding and horse care skills at local meetings, there are a variety of other educational and competitive opportunities in Pony Club for its members. Check out this chart of opportunity that lists various opportunities and information on any age and/or certification level requirements for participation.
What if there's not a Pony Club in my area?
Individuals interested in starting a club or center may request a brochure and information from the National Office. Learn more about starting a club or center and request the brochure.
Do I need to/can I take riding lessons in addition to Pony Club?
Most members take riding lessons in addition to Pony Club. The Pony Club program is designed to be a supplement to any other formal individual training a member is receiving.
Do parents need to "know" horses?
No, they don't need to "know" horses, but they will be involved. Clubs are administered by the parents and other adult volunteers in the area. Parents play an important role in the club. Centers are administered by a facility, but many still rely on their parents to assist in the program. Parents should ask any club or center they are thinking of having their child join about the expectations for the parents in the club or center.